Canadians are a diverse people known for their love of leisure pursuits, among various other things. From hockey, to canoeing and mountaineering. there are multitude of ways people like to escape the toils of work and seek pleasure.
Like much of the world, a high concentration of the population also allocate a portion of their free time to some carefree, leisurely gambling as a form of escapism and for some, pure hedonism. Be it a few spins of the roulette wheel, the odd hand of blackjack, or some turns on their favourite online slot, the choices are varied for anyone who fancies a little flutter to pass the time. And there is always, of course, the added lure of walking away a winner. As they say, money is sweeter than money earned!
The nation is currently home to dozens of land-based casinos that host all your traditional table staples such as the aforementioned roulette and blackjack, plus brag, and even baccarat.
With regards to online arena, however, the picture is a lot less clear. Fraught with legal complications, operating an online casino within the borders of the country is technically largely prohibited, despite the Government's relatively lax approach to legislation surrounding the brick and mortar landscape.
The global plight brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic has only served to exacerbate matters. Physical casinos represent a hotbed for disease transmission, with the likes of casino chips and cash constantly changing hands. This in turn has seen most live venues shuttered, diminishing the options for players in Canada who often enjoy engaging in some light-hearted gambling .
Moving Online
Thankfully, alternatives do exist. In something of a paradox, players residing in Canada are legally able to place wagers online via online casinos physically based in offshore locations. There is nothing illicit to this workaround solution, either. According to the Yucatan Times , the Canadian online casino market is estimated to be worth **over $30 CAD billion annually** - offering up huge potential for operators eyeing Canada as a prospective market and serving as an added lure for foreign operators.
Stepping up to accommodate the scores of players looking to get their gambling fix are the likes of Wildz Casino, an online casino in Canada that offers its services to the country's people. At Wildz, everyone in Canada can experience the same rich, multi-layered gameplay enjoyed by their overseas counterparts.
Trusted Payment Methods
Payment processes at the online casino are some of the fastest and most robust in the industry, too, underscored by years of industry experience, with games available to play 24/7. Canadians can load up their account using all the usual financial heavyweights like Visa and Mastercard, while e-Wallets represent the new breed of payment methods that allow rapid deposit and withdrawals.
For peace of mind, Wildz is licensed by the MGA (Malta Gaming Authority), one of the most reputable online casino regulators in the world. The MGA is charged with issuing licenses as well as overseeing operations to ensure player fairness and safety across the board.
Broad Game Selection
Players visiting Wildz will find hundreds of slot titles developed by some of the industry's heavyweight software suites, spanning a wide array of genres - from classic slots and jackpot games, to the bourgeoning Live Casino scene that brings the real-life casino ambience into your own home. Leveraging cutting edge casino technology, Wildz is even home to a host of scratch card games that replicate their physical counterparts. The games prompt players to reveal the cards by mimicking a 'scratching' motion for an added layer of authenticity - providing a wide range of options for anyone in Canada seeking some casino action.
Online gaming presents a multitude of benefits to everyone from casual players, right through to seasoned high rollers. For example, punters can fire up their favourite casino game without needing to leave home in their 'Sunday best', free from the trappings of brick and mortar establishments. Anyone deterred by the chitter chatter of the casino floor, worsened by pushy waiters, will find none of these annoyances present in an online setting, while online environments also take long, arduous journeys out of the equation.
Mobile Adoption
Furthermore, the proliferation of mobile adoption, paired with advances in technology, means players can enjoy the same rich online gaming experience at their fingertips - either at home, or out and about, putting the power in the hands of the player and opening up their choices immeasurably. Indeed, [industry-tracking firm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_NPD_Group) NPD noted a 2% uptick in the number of Canadians turning to mobile for their gaming exploits, while a February 2020 report from OpenSignal ranks Canada 25th globally for 'mobile games experience.' For context, bordering country USA lies 41st and Mexico 61st.
Keeping pace, premier online slot providers are increasingly adopting a mobile-first philosophy, developing their games with the mobile player at the very front of their minds throughout all stages of development. Nowadays, online casino games run seamlessly on just about every modern handheld device.
Looking Ahead
The future looks bright for Canada's online casino industry. Despite the evident challenges posed by COVID-19, rapid advances in technology mean the country's casino players can turn to a regulated, safe and secure environment that lets them play their favourite games at the touch of a button - or a click of a mouse.
As the global pandemic shows little signs of slowing, coupled with Canada's insatiable thirst for a wager, expect online gaming to entice punters for many years to come.
