Online gambling is a game-changer on a global scale, especially in countries where land-based casinos are illegal or restricted in some way.
Canada, on the other hand, has a fairly open approach to iGaming regulations. The laws regarding online casinos are regulated by the provinces, and most provinces already have a platform that is regulated and backed by the provincial government. Ontario was a pioneer of the Canadian gambling industry with iGaming Ontario, whereas British Columbia operates PlayNow as a platform.
Online poker players can find resources, reviews and venues on Card Player Canada, alongside coverage of sports betting and the best international casinos. These offshore operators are also attracting players as they usually offer a wider variety of games, but also odds and bonuses that go beyond government-issued ones.
Still, physical casinos have historically brought significant contributions to their local economic landscapes. More than just wages for the thousands of workers, the generation of tax revenues from regulated gambling in traditional venues isa key part of the provincial budget. Brick-and-mortar venues are still attracting a massive force of tourists every year, and the government-run resorts in Ontario and Quebec are an important factor in public funding.
For many years, traditional casinos have been a stable and secure pillar of the entertainment industry in Canadian culture. All across the country, the big casinos employ thousands of people and bring significant revenue into the economy. In 2024, the total gambling revenue was above $16 billion.
However, the landscape has changed significantly with the ascent of iGaming on the playing field. Online operators are attracting increasingly more attention and revenue. Ontario iGaming alone reported an annual total of $2.4 billion for the 2023-2024 fiscal period, showing a 72% increase from the previous year. There are questions that arise on whether the traditional casinos can hold out on their own in such a competitive environment and if there is a way for them to coexist.
The complex relationship between online gambling and traditional casinos has been complex since the start. However, as the physical venues faced difficulties at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the iGaming industry flourished. But, years later, we can see that with the “return to normalcy,” these two worlds exist in a state that’s more of a diverse synergy rather than direct competition. Some industry experts claim that online gambling is actually attracting a completely new segment of players who might have never gone to a traditional casino if they hadn’t tried iGaming first.
Consumer habits are in a constant state of flux. The implementation of digital conveniences such as easy deposits and withdrawals and playing on the go is now preferred by a significant part of the demographic, especially the younger players. Fast development of adjacent tech is now offering seamless integration of iGaming into your phone, and that’s what’s crucial in the goal of attracting new players.
With all that said, there are some aspects that cannot be replicated through an online gambling platform. Visiting a physical casino still offers a social aspect and entertainment level that can’t be matched through an app. Brick-and-mortar casinos maintain the tendency to be about more than just gambling—there’s the live entertainment and performances, fine dining, the glamour and the ambiance that remain the selling points.
That being said, most casinos have had to adapt in some way. In order to remain competitive on the market, most land-based operators have integrated some sort of digital element into their operations. Most of the casinos working in Canada have already developed an online presence. This usually comes in the form of an online gambling site or app that serves as a complement to the actual, physical venue. Combined with loyalty programs that span both the real-world establishments and online games, the casinos try to encourage their customers with rewards, bonuses and incentives to gamble with them online and offline. Some go one step further and offer live dealer games streamed from the land-based casinos, thus bridging the gap between these two worlds.
These points just prove that both these industries can coexist in synergy when managed and planned properly. Traditional casinos that lead the charge on the front of new technologies are already showing that it’s possible to thrive in this evolving digital landscape without sacrificing the traditional. A hybrid business model that integrates innovations like VR, blockchain, or AI-tailored games is already becoming an important factor for success.
Some part of the weight needed to balance this will fall to the regulators in provinces. It is the legislators who need to foster growth for the digital operators, but also to protect land-based businesses from great disruptions. The public budget benefits from both of these variants, so it will be crucial to find a legal way to allow them to coexist and grow.
The traditional casino businesses themselves are at an important crossroad as well. While the allure of a glamorous real-world venue will never fade, they will have to evolve and adapt in order to keep up the pace with the digital world. Successful casinos are already moving to different hybrid models, with some of them aiming for an omnichannel experience with seamless integration between the actual venue and the online presence. This approach is not just a way to cater to a broad audience but also a surefire way to mitigate potential losses from the competition that’s operating as a digital-only services provider.
The challenges for the brick-and-mortar casinos are certainly numerous, but so are the opportunities to create a thriving gambling and entertainment ecosystem in Canada.
DISCLAIMER: The information presented on this page/site is intended for entertainment purposes only. Please be aware that gambling entails inherent risks, and it's crucial to acknowledge this when utilizing online gambling platforms.
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