Online casino gaming has increased by almost 70 percent globally over the last couple of years and Canada is one of the countries leading the way. It is estimated that around 65 percent of Canada’s adult population will place at least one bet each year, sporting betting is particularly popular with spending amounting to around $15 million last year.
Online casino games are also enjoyed by many adults, with online slots Canada being one of the top choices alongside poker, blackjack, roulette and keno. Many prefer it to playing in land based casino venues due to the convenience of being able to play anywhere as well as the amount of choice and quality of games offered online.
In Canada, gambling has taken place for hundreds of years and in the modern era it is regulated by the Canadian Gambling Commission. Laws are set at a provincial level and Ontario was one of the latest to open its legal, licensed, gambling market.
While domestically, there is not a huge range of online casino operators, many enjoy playing on offshore online casinos. These sites have a vast range of games with different themes and features, many even offer live casino experiences.
These are some of the most popular casino games that are played by the citizens of Canada:
Slots Games
Slots machines can be found both online and in land based venues around the country. Slots do not require a great level of strategy of skill, making them an appealing option for those who are new to casino gaming and those that just want to have fun with a fast paced, simple game.
Slots often have vibrant colours, themed reels and background music that creates a truly immersive and enjoyable experience. There are different types of slots games and most online casinos offer a varied selection.
Three reel slots were once the most popular option, before the range of five reel slots increased significantly online. Additional reels create more payline opportunities and more chances to win cash and prizes.
Multi payline slots offer even more chances to win, playlines can be either straight, zig zag or diagonal. Also, with progressive slots the value of the slot jackpot increases each time the player doesn’t win, meaning the pot gets bigger and bigger until they do.
Poker
Poker is another very popular casino game option for players around Canada. Unlike slots, there is more of the process to learning how to play poker and players need to develop their own strategy and skill levels.
There are many variations of the game but the most popular variant is Texas Hold-em, which is recognized and played in most countries around the world. Commonly played video poker variants include Deuces Wild, Joker Poker and Better or Jacks.
This card game has been around for hundreds of years but has become increasingly popular in recent decades thanks to its portrayal in the media and films such as James Bond. Some of the most skilled and successful players even go on to develop careers in poker and compete in tournaments internationally for millions of dollars.
Blackjack
Another card game that has been made a casino favourite thanks to popular culture is Blackjack, sometimes known simply as ‘21’. In Canada, classic blackjack (or American blackjack) is the most commonly played variant of the game, it has simple rules to follow and a low house edge.
Players are competing against the dealer to be the first to get to the number 21 or closest without doing over with their cards. European blackjack is a popular variant in other parts of the world, this version comes with a few more gameplay restrictions than the classic game.
Land based venues often have dedicated blackjack tables and online casinos will often have a selection of blackjack titles to try out. Some even have live games that are streamed in real time.
Roulette
While card games are a popular casino choice, for those that aren’t a fan of them, roulette is a great alternative. Roulette was first developed in France, before making its way around Europe and eventually North America.
In this game, players predict whether a ball will land when a large wheel with numbered pockets is spun. They may predict the colour of the pocket (red or black) or whether the number will be odd or even.
In Canada, the American version of roulette is most commonly played both online and offline. In this version, there is an additional zero on the wheel, reducing the players chances of winning and increasing the house edge slightly.
The European or French variant of the game gas only one xero but also has fewer betting options to choose from.
These are just some of the top casino games played by the people of Canada, there are many other games available, including baccarat and keno, online and offline. As technology develops, casinos continue to create new and even more immersive gaming experiences for players.