• By: Allen Brown

Comparison of the US and Canadian Gambling Markets: Similarities and Differences

Canada and the U.S. The state of their gambling landscapes is not quite the same, despite the fact that the two nations border one another and have many intriguing cultural connections. Both nations have state-specific laws and differing views on gambling that change depending on the location.

Let’s examine some of the key parallels and differences between the US and Canadian gaming markets.

Size of the Market

In the second quarter of 2021, gambling revenue in the US reached $13.6 billion, setting a new high for the market. Overtaking the previous high of $43.6 billion established in 2019, the overall revenue for 2021 exceeded $44 billion.

On the other hand, Canada’s stats are a little different. According to estimates, the industry is presently worth $14 billion, and given that the number of players in the nation is rising, the revenue and market worth is expected to increase over the next few years.

Regulations and Laws

The regulations governing gaming in the US and Canada differ significantly. There is, however, another significant resemblance. In particular, both nations permit their states and provinces to independently control the market.

This implies that gambling laws might be diametrically opposed on a state-by-state basis. Consider the differences between New Jersey and Utah. Utah is opposed to all forms of gambling in the state, while New Jersey is a pioneer of the industry, allowing virtually all forms of gambling. You can learn more about the gambling market of NJ at iGaming NJ, there are also the latest news, guides, and articles to find.

Canada’s legal constraints are far more lax than those of its neighbor. In general, gambling is only prohibited when it is not controlled or regulated by a federal or provincial government. The regulation is applicable to both physical casinos and altruistic activities like bingo and raffles. Since these platforms cannot be used within the country’s boundaries, there is some ambiguity around the legality of playing online games of chance there. However, it is acceptable to play on foreign sites that have the necessary license.

Accessibility to Online Casinos

Before they can sign up with any of the operators and donate real money, players from the United States must be physically present in one of the states that have regulated the online casino market. Online casinos utilize cutting-edge geolocation techniques to figure out whether or not a player is in or outside the boundaries of a state.

Unlike many US jurisdictions, Canada allows players to sign up for overseas operators, where they can play a variety of games, with slots being the most popular by far.

Land-Based Locations

In the United States, there are about 460 casinos. The most well-known gambling destination in the nation, with more than 100 venues accessible, is Las Vegas, as most people are aware. This is an established market with a long history, however, some new players on the market, like NY, are potentially on their way. Together, Las Vegas casinos generated over $6.5 billion in sales in 2017.

The only provinces and territories in Canada that do not have land-based casinos are New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island. In all, there are over 100 casinos around the nation, with over 25 of them in Ontario alone.

Image Credit: Pexels