Canada and gambling have had a long history together. While there has never been a gambling mecca in Canada that exists in places such as Las Vegas or Macau, gambling has always been present in one form or another. Today, modern cities have their modern games and digital offerings are available online. Below, we discuss how it all got here and detail the history of casinos in Canada.
Then and Now
The First Nations were the first to introduce gambling to the North American continent. Though never for money, it often involved games of chance and skill to settle disputes as well as providing entertainment. Since then, Canada has come a long way. The digital revolution has meant you can discover the top online casino in Canada at the touch of a phone screen. This convenience has combined with attractive bonuses to see the industry swell, providing a large taxable revenue for the country while giving a new source of entertainment for customers.
Yet none of this came easy. Canada is a vast country and has often had varied rules and regulations on gambling depending on the territory. Thus, many people had to travel some distance to visit a casino or take part in gambling activities. In some instances, much of this was conducted underground and away from the authorities.
The early days of gambling in Canada
When European settlers arrived in Canada they brought card games and sports such as horse racing. Inevitably, social circles began to form around these pastimes. Clubs where people could gamble were known to exist in Quebec, Niagara Falls, Montreal and Ottawa. However, they were reserved for the elite with high-cost memberships.
During the prohibition era, several factors spurred the popularity of gambling in Canada onward. Many religious movements who were against gambling had begun to lose influence. This was further shaken during World War I when lotteries and tombola became a way to raise funds quickly and often for noble purposes. Finally, the great depression of 1929 shook faith in the capitalist system, suggesting to many that good old-fashioned luck instead of astute saving and investment had a place to play in wealth accumulation.
After the war periods, Canada also had an influx of immigrants from Europe and further abroad. As these countries had begun to legalize gambling, many immigrants also wanted to carry on their pursuits in their new homes. They also brought variations on popular games such as roulette and blackjack, along with the burgeoning popularity of poker which came from the South.
The seventies
The seventies were when gambling laws began to change and adapt in Canada. Las Vegas and the revenue it brought had not gone unnoticed, and many in Canada wanted to create their version of the city. Gambling was mainly being used to fund crime, and legalizing it would bring it under state control. Yet while gambling at casinos was legalized, its strict laws could be restrictive.
For example, the licenses required to gamble were expensive. This meant only the rich could afford to visit casinos. Many people had to carry on playing at home or with friends in arranged games. The licenses were also few, meaning competition was extremely high. This led to friction between operators and those trying to get a license.
One of the first of these licensed casinos to open was Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall in Dawson City, Yukon. As it was the first licensed casino opened in 1971, the hall claims to be the oldest in the country. It was created by the Klondike Visitors Association to capitalize on its gold rush reputation earned in years gone by.
The casino was famous for several reasons, not least being the first licensed casino. It was situated in the Arctic Brotherhood Hall, a building that had been constructed in 1901. Secondly, it also held daily cabaret shows featuring Gertie Lovejoy. A famous star of the dancehall era, she married one of the town’s top lawyers and was famous for the diamond between her two front teeth.
The millennium years onward
Toward the millennial year, gambling, particularly competitive poker, began to be televised on syndicated television. This saw a boom in popularity, with celebrity players soon arriving to further its reach and this helped people outside the casino understand the game. When the commercial internet grew in popularity, it also helped build the profile with the ability to play games online. This led to the online casinos we know today growing in popularity over the last few years.
Where gambling in Canada will go next is anyone’s guess. The answer may live in the interactivity of the Metaverse or social media. All that is known is that Canada will do as it always has, treading carefully and making sure gambling benefits the country through its taxation and responsible approach.
Last Updated on May 15, 2024 by soubhik
