According to statistics, Canada has over 19.3 million active online gamblers. That's a considerable number confirming the passion Canadians have for casino games, including the ones still preferring traditional casinos over online venues.
Image: freepik.com
Let's find out what games they play the most.
Is Gambling Legal in Canada?
Although the Criminal Code of Canada prohibits all forms of gambling activities, each province in Canada has the liberty to create and manage gambling-related laws and regulations independently. For example, provinces, where activities like sports betting are legal, are Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec, British Columbia, and Ontario, with Ontario being seen as the unofficial gambling capital of the country.
So simply put, Canadian players will not get into trouble if they play casino games as long as the company that offers such activities is licensed and complies with local regulations.
On the other hand, online gambling is still a grey area as the government prohibits online gambling within the country's borders. However, players can enjoy their favorite online casino games in any reputable online casino outside Canada.
Most Popular Casino Games for Canadian Players
Slots: Easy to Play and Rewarding
Slots are among the most popular casino games in the Canadian gambling community for various reasons. First, the rules are pretty straightforward, whether you play in a traditional or online casino.
Once you sit in front of the slot machine, you only need to pull down the handle to make the wheels move. You win if a certain number of reels, usually three or five, form the same pattern.
You'll follow the same procedure if you opt for online slots. The only difference is you don't have a physical handle. So instead, you press the button (it's like a digital handle), and the wheels will start spinning.
Another characteristic that makes slots appealing to Canadian players is their Return to Player (RTP) rate, which amounts to 98%. Slots, especially in the online realm, also come with various bonus features like free spins and bonus rounds. In addition, they are highly entertaining due to their thematized nature - no matter if you are into sports, a big traveling fan, a cartoon geek, a metalhead, or a cinephile, there is something for everyone.
Players enjoy playing slots inspired by the most popular pieces of popular culture. If you are interested and have time to research, you'll find thousands of slot titles featuring high-quality graphics and sounds from movies, TV shows, video games, etc.
Finally, you can opt from various slot categories, including classic, fruit, jackpot, and progressive slots.
Roulette: Another Easy-to-Play Casino Game That Exudes Sophistication
Canadians also like to play Roulette. It is a game of chance where players bet where the ball will land on the wheel comprising black, green, and red slots.
The game's global popularity has resulted in the development of three variants. So today, players can opt between French, American, and European Roulette with slight differences regarding the winning probability. Roulette also comes with different betting options. Therefore, the win depends not only on the Roulette variant but also on the type of bet a player chooses.
Blackjack: The Game of Chance and Strategy
Similar to Slots and Roulette, Blackjack comes with simple rules; the game is equally popular among experienced and first-time players. However, if you are a newbie, it's critical to familiarize yourself with the basics upfront as you'll develop a strategy over time.
You play against the dealer. They use a standard 52-card deck for the game. So you'll get two cards, both facing up, while the dealer has one face up and one down. That's where the strategy part comes into play. You must determine the best next move to win, as the goal is to get 21 or the closest number possible before the dealer.
Poker: More Than a Game
Unlike previously mentioned games, you can't (solely) rely on luck when playing poker. Instead, poker requires knowledge, skills, strategy, and the ability to bluff. Still, it's one of the most popular casino games worldwide, Canada included - just remember that Canada is the home country to one of the biggest names in the Poker world: Daniel Negreanu.
Canadian players enjoy poker both in physical and digital spaces. Aside from playing it in a traditional manner, more and more players opt for video poker. It's an ideal alternative for those who want to play solo but don't want to miss the brick-and-mortar casino's atmosphere.
Video poker is played on a machine similar to slot machines, but there are also variants available online. For those who may not know, online casinos also offer live sessions with real dealers and other players. So there are operators who bring real-casino experience to your home.
Baccarat: A Blackjack Variant or Not?
Although similar to Blackjack, Baccarat is a different game. Still, if you understand Blackjack rules, you'll familiarize yourself with the basics of Baccarat in no time. That's the reason why Blackjack enthusiasts in Canada often play Baccarat. And not just them. Baccarat is, in general, one of the most popular games among the gambling community in the country.
As a player, your goal is to ''predict'' the outcome of the round, whether the winning will be the bank, the player, or it will be tied. Each side, the player and the bank, both get two cards and depending on the predetermined rule, both parties may receive an additional card. The number that opponents are chasing is nine; whoever reaches it first wins.
We can only guess what the future holds for the Canadian gambling market. However, the advances in technology and the increased use of the internet and smartphone leads to the conclusion that online casinos are here to stay and will continue to grow in popularity among Canadians.
