Canadian laws and regulations on casinos and gambling differ at the federal and provincial levels. These laws guide the establishment of casinos and participation in betting activities.
The criminal code of Canada states that betting activities are illegal. At the federal level, it is unlawful to establish a betting house. Underground gambling centers or any gambling institution that does not hold a verified license from the Lottery & Gaming Commission of the province.
Casino laws in Ontario
The authority that controls all gambling activities in Ontario is the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
It regulates activities such as:
- Charitable Gaming
- Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) Lotteries
- Internet Gaming
- Casino Gaming
- Social Gaming
- OLG Charitable Gaming
The provincial laws state that a person must be at least 18 years old to participate in betting activities. These activities include purchasing lottery tickets and even entering a casino. To enter a casino in the province of Ontario, you must be at least 19 years old.
According to the legislation established in 1997, in the province of Ontario, selling ticks to anyone younger than 18 is a crime punishable by heavy fines. It is also an offense to buy tickets online as a person younger than 18 years.
Because the province allows betting, Ontario is one of the least-restricted provinces in the country. Physical casinos abound in Ontario. You will find multiple options in the area.
Apart from the laws from 1997, in 2021, the province enacted standards for regulated online gaming. A regulated online gambling market was subsequently launched in April 2022. iGaming Ontario is the regulatory body in charge of online betting in the area. It is in charge of issuing licenses too. in Ontario, online and onsite gambling activities are legal and highly regulated.
Ontario Cities with Casinos
Available information shows that there are about 73 casinos. At these casinos, you can play games that include table games, slots, and much more.
You will find them spread across 44 locations, available in different sizes and offering a range of options.
The locations of casinos in Ontario include:
- Ajax
- Burlington
- Chatham
- Clinton
- Hanover
- Newmarket
- Oakville
- Richmond Hill
- Pickering
Casinos Banned in Cities like Toronto
Although you can go from Toronto to casinos that include Great Blue Heron Casino, Casino Woodbine, and Casino Niagara, there are no casinos in the city of Toronto. Big cities like Toronto do not have casinos for reasons such as the public health concerns of betting activities and other negative impacts.
The effect of gambling on the population
The effect of gambling on the population can be divided into economic and social. Both categories are considered in the establishment of betting houses in the cities and across different locations.
Economic impacts are more positive, while social impacts are more negative. Social impacts of gambling include concerts of bankruptcy, family problems, and crime. A notable positive social effect of gambling in Ontario is entertainment. Betting activities can be grouped alongside other entertainment options even with the possible financial consequences.
Some of the economic impacts of gambling include employment, economic development, and tax revenues.
Why did Ontario Province Ban Casinos in Big Cities?
The ban on the establishment of casinos in big cities across the province of Ontario is due to the reasons stated above.
Due to concerns about the associated crimes, financial issues, and bankruptcy, the province restricted the availability of casinos in big cities. The positive impacts of casinos as regards jobs and economic development, however, have inspired plans and development of establishing casinos in the city. Even without the availability of brick-and-mortar casinos in big cities across Ontario, you can get access to online betting anywhere in the province and even in the cities.
Online gambling establishments licensed by iGaming Corporation serve the populace. You can easily play games and place bets on your phone or computer. Online casinos are on the rise in Ontario and the rest of Canada. These casinos offer a range of game options that include live blackjack, roulette, and various card games.
With online casinos available and the establishment of the online gaming sector, gambling enthusiasts don’t have to travel long distances to get access to their favorite games. They simply use their phones or computers.
