Something that many people do not take into consideration when it comes to the legalization of gambling, whether it is online or at traditional casinos, is how it affects tourism and the kind of tourists that visit.
Online casinos are still fairly new in the grand scheme of things, however, they have been legalized in many places around the world for quite some time now. This is not the case for Ontario, Canada. Although online casino legalization is still new to Ontario, you can find Popular Ontario online casinos on ottawacitizen.com.
The big question is, did Ontario’s Online Casino legalization attract more tourists? When it comes to the tourism economy in Ontario, there are many different areas where one would look, however, not many people consider online gambling a tourist attraction until they visit a country and are not able to access online casinos.
Online Casino Legalization
The legalization of online gambling in Ontario has been a lengthy process. Online gambling was first introduced to the world in the 1990s. In 1996, there were only 15 different online casinos to choose from.
The popularity of online casinos only really started growing when technology started becoming a more crucial part of our daily lives, and has recently seen a massive boom, especially over recent years.
Ontario was a little late to the game, with much deliberation and concern placed on the legalization of online gambling in any capacity. As of August 2021, online sports betting was legalized but gambling was still not legal. It was only in the April of 2022 when there was a legal change to the Online Casino law, which now permits both online sports betting and gambling, as well as marketing and advertising for these platforms.
Traditional Gambling in Ontario
It is hard to believe that it took so long for Ontratio to be on board with online gambling, considering the province witnessed the opening of their first traditional casino all the way back in 1994. Although this is significantly later than other countries, people were ecstatic.
The history of gambling in Ontario dates all the way back to 1874 when there was a law passed that prohibited gambling, including any games of chance such as card games and lotteries.
Anyone caught playing these games or owning gambling equipment could be punished with jail time.
In 1975, the Ontario Lottery Act was passed and this legalized lotteries. However, all lotteries needed to have the main purpose of raising funds for public projects, modernizing the province or helping with charities.
The Impact of Online Casino Legalization
Although Ontario had a late start to online gambling, they are already seeing an increase in the numbers of people making use of online gambling platforms, as both locals and foreign internationals.
The answer to the looming question is yes. The Legalization of online casinos in Ontario did ultimately attract more tourists, but not as many as one might have hoped. There is still major concern surrounding the world of online gambling in this province, and this hinders some of the progress that could potentially be seen.
Many people are worried about addiction as well as safety, but this is mostly seen by locals as opposed to tourists. Overall, the impact that is seen by online gambling in Ontario is a total of over $4 billion in wagers and roughly $162 million generated in revenue.
Tourism in Canada
With everything from vast vineyards to historical sites, Ontario has so much to offer that will attract numerous tourists throughout the different seasons. Whether you want to visit the mountains, or strut around the city, there is plenty to do and see.
Having online casinos easily accessible is just a great added bonus that would make any tourist’s trip that much better.
By Amey MyersAmey, an intrepid traveler and avid blogger, roams the world, absorbing diverse cultures, flavors, and experiences. Her writing captures the essence of her adventures, inspiring others to explore. Amey's infectious passion for travel and storytelling epitomizes a life filled with exploration and adventure.
