Staying entertained in our spare time is something everyone around the world loves to do. Of course, catching the latest movie blockbusters or relaxing with a classic older film is still one of the best ways to do this. When you add in sports, music and TV, keeping boredom at bay when free is not an issue any more. One entertainment sector that has caught on in Canada recently is online casino gaming.
When you look at the online casino sector now, it is clear to see how vibrant it is on a global scale. Reports suggest that the industry was valued at over $53bn in 2019 and is expected to grow at a compound rate of around 11.5% leading up to 2027. Recent events have drawn more people into casino gaming online and the rise of mobile play via easy-to-use apps has also helped.
Online casino gaming landscape in Canada
As a result, many people around the world now love to game online – with Canada being no exception. It is, for example, estimated that more than 70% of Canadians have gambled online recently! This may surprise some people who remain confused over the legal picture of online casino gambling in the country. In simple terms, only the Government of Canada can legally run an online casino based in Canada. This has seen some individual provinces start their own online casino sites. The first of these was an internet casino opened in British Columbia in 2012.
It should be remembered, though, that there is nothing in federal law to stop players within Canada using offshore casino sites. With lots of top online casinos for Canadian players operating in this way now, it adds another dimension to the picture. With this in mind, players in Canada might be in a dilemma – is it safer to stick with state-run casino sites?
Should you play at state-run casino sites online?
According to casino specialist at Playcasinos.ca, Marie-Claire Graham, for many players, the major question is whether it is safer to play at nationally-governed casino sites online. This is only natural when you consider that you will be entrusting your money and personal details to the casino you play with. You do not want to use a site that turns out to be a scam or that does not have excellent cybersecurity in place.
In this regard, it could be considered safer to play at online casinos in Canada that are run by provinces. Doing so gives you peace of mind that the sites are legitimate, governed by the country’s laws and properly regulated. It will also mean you play somewhere that should be easy to get hold of with queries and has avenues to follow if you are not happy with their service.
What about offshore casinos for Canadian players?
Although playing at an online casino run officially by the Canadian government has its advantages in terms of safety, offshore casino sites should not be discounted. To begin with, big-name, established offshore platforms will also be very secure. They will use tech such as SSL/TSL data encryption and two-factor account authentication to protect your details. In addition, they will employ the best IT staff around to keep their platform safe from hackers. If you make sure to choose an offshore casino that is fully regulated by an established industry body, you can be assured that you are playing at a safe site.
Customer service is also very important to offshore casinos and something that they put a lot of resources into. This is not only in terms of the best support staff to help players but also the range of ways in which you can get in touch, and 24/7 service. With games from the most respected software providers around as well, top offshore sites are safe to game at. The main thing to remember is to take your time to research where you will play before creating an account.
Safety is key – wherever you choose to play online
While the release of Forza Horizon 5 might have grabbed the gaming headlines for now, many Canadians will regularly log on to play casino games online. Whether you opt for an official online casino in Canada run by the state or play at an offshore platform, safety is always paramount. This helps to keep your money safe and stop cybercrime from affecting you. As the above shows, the question of whether it is safer to play at state-run platforms is something of a non-event. While they do have their own advantages, offshore casinos also prize safety and have other features such as big bonus packages that national casinos might not match.
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