They may be neighbors, but the differences between Canada and the US can be quite stark. One aspect that the two countries differ on quite considerably is their approach to casinos and gambling.
These differences don't just lie in the legal system, however, but in each nation's cultural identity.
In this guide, we'll take a look at casino culture in both the US and Canada, before taking a look at the biggest differences between the two.
About casinos in Canada
Gambling has long been legal in Canada. This change came about gradually from around 1970 onwards, with individual provinces being granted the power to set their own rules.
With that said, Canada doesn't allow sports betting sites to be based in the country. This means that Canadians are only permitted to bet on foreign sports betting sites.
Casinos on the other hand, are legal and also popular, with poker being a particular favorite among the Canadian people. Ontario is one of the hubs of casinos in Canada and boasts over 20 of them.
Despite the large number of land-based casinos across the nation, online casinos continue to grow in popularity. This growth, in part, is driven by the popularity of live online casino games, which allow players to go to the casino without having to leave the comfort of their own home. Check out this guide on the best payout online casino in Canada to learn more.
With that said, land-based casinos remain a popular source of entertainment for many Canadians and there is no doubt that it'll stay that way for some time.
Casino culture in the US
It's fair to say that casinos and gambling are part of many Americans' free-living outlook on life. The US has over 1,000 casinos, generating approximately $29bn in revenue every year.
One of the most popular holiday destinations in the world is Las Vegas, Nevada. This popularity is driven by the casino culture that fuels the city. Players from all over the globe want to play slots, blackjack and roulette under the glittering lights of Caesars Palace.
Similar to Canada, the US delegates the rules and regulations on gambling to its states. Nevada, as we've mentioned, has quite liberal laws. Whereas some states such as South Carolina impose quite restrictive regulations — there are no casinos and even social gambling is illegal.
The big differences
Despite the two countries having similar federal structures, their gambling laws are quite different. Online casinos and sportsbooks, for instance, are permitted in Canada provided the betting site is hosted offshore.
This means that Canadians can enjoy pretty much every game provider on the market. This brings with it the benefit of choice, but at the same time, a laissez-faire attitude like this can expose players to untrustworthy gambling sites.
The US, on the other hand, didn't properly legalize sports betting until 2011 — though as we've seen with South Carolina, it can still be outlawed at state level. The system is essentially much more codified in the US compared to Canada.
This legal framework, although prohibitive in some parts of the country, can help players out, especially if they're subjected to fraud or other types of illegal activity.
So, there are differences between the two, with Canada being far more lax compared to the US. However, this brings with it negatives as well as benefits.
