The gambling industry has experienced a huge surge in recent years, partially due to the player demand and technological developments. There have however been political shifts that have impacted the growth of the gambling sector.
That shift is also relevant in Canada. Regulations and prompted changes have shaped the gambling market within Canada. With this in mind this article will explore the recent changes in Canada’s gaming industry regulations and the political shifts within the country, alongside how these changes are predicted to affect the gaming industry in 2025.
Canada’s Current Legislation on Gambling
There are a variety of federal and provincial rules within Canada that regulate gambling activities. Within Canada, the Criminal Code is the primary statute governing gambling, setting the line for gaming and betting offences.
Under Section 207 of the Criminal Code, each province has the ability to control and regulate gambling activities within its borders. This means provinces decide how gambling operates; this extends to lotteries, casinos, and online gaming.
Over time, the gambling industry in Canada has evolved starting with the legalization of lotteries in 1969. Followed by the introduction of online gambling in the latter half of the 1990’s.
Recent Legislative Changes
One of the major changes to Canada’s gambling landscape came with the passing of the Bill C-218 in 2021. This bill legalized single-event sports betting nationwide. Prior to this bill being passed, Canadians were restricted to online betting on the outcomes of multiple events. This meant that you would need to get all your predictions right to win. This new law brought freedom to players and so that they had more control over their bets, therefore making sports betting more accessible to those playing within Canada.
In April of 2022, Ontario became Canada’s first province to launch a regulated online gambling market. This permitted private companies to legally provide online casinos and sports betting.
This is governed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and it ensures that online gambling is safe, fair, and follows strict rules so that players are protected from fraud and promotes responsible gambling. By regulating private operators, the AGCO creates a secure, competitive market with better services and more options for players. As the options increase, so does the quality on offer, for example, just a few years ago an instant withdrawal casino was highly irregular, whereas now providers which take days to process withdrawals are left in the past, meaning players can access their winnings with less hassle.
A recent Bill approved in November 2024 controls sports betting ads. The Canadian Senate approved the Bill S-269 to aim to reduce the number of ads and have set rules to reduce and prevent gambling problems. This was influenced by worries that there were too many ads revolving around betting, and it is enticing vulnerable groups into excessive gambling habits. At this current time this bill is being reviewed by the House of Commons. These changes are showing Canada’s efforts to update the present gambling laws, so the consumers are protected meanwhile still protecting the economy.
Political Changes in Canada
Political changes are having an effect on the gaming industry. With Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stepping down, both federal and provincial leaders are focusing on updating and regulating the gaming sector to strike a balance between economic benefits and consumer protection.
The Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) is advocating for tougher laws to help prevent money laundering within the gaming industry. It has been urged that the government revise the current laws surrounding money laundering so that the economy is not impacted. As the 2025 federal election approaches, changes in regulatory approaches could be on the horizon, potentially affecting the gaming industry.
Impact on Gambling Industry
The potential for these political changes could result in stricter regulations. This means an increased cost and more challenges for smaller operators; it is also said that there may be a more relaxed approach however to boost this industries growth.
In coming years, Alberta plans to expand its iGaming market. This follows Ontario’s successful model which could attract investment and new opportunities. At the same time, there will most likely be a stronger focus on responsible gaming and the standard of advertisements. With Ontario’s new rules regulating its ads to prevent younger audiences being influenced serves as a potential national model for a safer gaming environment.
The future of gambling regulation in Canada
Within Canada there are laws that prohibit any gambling, except those that are organized in provincial and territorial government organizations and there are a significant number of foreign private companies operate within the Canadian gambling market.
With the government modernizing the gambling laws, we may see stricter regulations for foreign operators. An example of this is that the government are introducing new rules that will either bring foreign companies under Canadian regulations or it will restrict operations further to ensure they comply with local laws full and their standards.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Canadian gambling market has undergone major changes throughout the years, especially in the online gaming sector. As the political landscape continues to be altered and provinces refine their regulations, operators must adjust to meet the new requirements so that they are complaint with the new local laws.
This shift has allowed Canadian players to enjoy a wider variety of regulated online gaming options, that has resulted in a safer and more controlled gambling environment.
The post How is Canada’s political shift predicted to affect the gaming Industry first appeared on The Yucatan Times.