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Canada
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If you’re passionate about gambling, then you must be on the lookout for interesting facts on the subject. This article explores gambling facts and myths relevant to Canadians. We’ll dive into topics such as the industry size, prevalence of gambling, different myths and more.
We've prepared a few key facts about the gambling industry in Canada to give you an insight into the current state of the gambling market. From the largest entertainment industry to how many Canadians gamble, these facts will give you a glimpse of the current state of the gambling market.
Gaming is the largest entertainment industry in Canada. The gambling business provides more than 267,000 jobs, of which more than 135,000 are full-time jobs. If you combine movies, television, music production, and professional sports, they come close to the gaming sector's size.
Data estimates show that 69% of men have reported gambling, compared to 60% of women. Therefore, it’s safe to claim that most gamblers in Canada are male. They are primarily fond of sports betting. Females also gamble a lot, favouring lottery and bingo.
The latest data suggests over 300,000 Canadians may be facing problem gambling, with 1.6% at moderate to high risk for gambling issues. It's also been identified that people from lower-income households are more likely to develop problematic gambling habits.
Although land-based casinos are still popular in Canada, recent reports show that in terms of revenue, online gambling is surpassing traditional casinos. Data from 2023 reveals that online casinos raked in C$12.5 billion, which is expected to grow as more gamblers opt for the convenience of online platforms.
The data reports the popularity of gambling in Canada. According to the Canadian Community Health Survey in 2018, around 66.2% of Canadians over 18 had tried at least one form of gambling. Including lotteries, casino games, sports betting, and online gambling.
We’ve debunked common gambling myths to help you gain a realistic view of gambling. Believing various misconceptions can result in unhealthy behaviours. By discerning myths alongside facts, we’d like to provide you with the knowledge to make informed gambling decisions.
Fact: Casino games are designed so that the house has an advantage over the player to some degree. Each game can have a different house edge, but in the long term, no game can provide guaranteed returns.
Fact: Young people tend to gamble in a company with their peers. However, it doesn't mean they can't develop addictive tendencies. In fact, teens and young adults are more likely to addictive behaviours because of their developing brains, making it harder to control impulses and grasp the repercussions of gambling.
Fact: Casino games and sports betting are games of luck. They definitely can't guarantee long-term wins, as they all possess a certain house edge. Therefore, you can't rely on casino games to replace your income. First and foremost, gambling is supposed to provide entertainment.
Fact: In games of chance like roulette or slots, outcomes are determined randomly. Casino games are powered by a random number generator (RNG), ensuring independent outcomes. Although some games require more skill and strategy, such as poker, there are no solid patterns in games of chance that can predict reliable outcomes.
Fact: While every casino game always has an advantageous house edge, it doesn't mean that casino games are rigged. Beyond the game algorithms that provide fair results, casinos must abide by the regulations imposed by gaming authorities. Therefore, if you're losing at a casino game, it doesn't mean that the game is unfair. It's just a part of the game design.
How many land-based casinos are there in Canada?
There are more than 200 gambling facilities across Canada. Nearly every province has a casino, which varies in size and content.
Which is the biggest casino in the country?
The Montreal Casino in Montreal, Quebec, is the biggest casino in the Land of Maple Syrup. The facility, located on Ile Notre Dame, opened in 1993. It has around 3,000 slot machines and more than 100 tables and serves 18,000 visitors per day. Casino de Montréal is one of the biggest casinos on the planet.
How old do gamblers have to be in Canada?
The gambling age in Canada is a limitation dependent on the province you are located in. One must be over 18 years old to gamble in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec. However, casinos in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan accept only patrons over 19.
