Canada has one of the biggest gambling markets, thanks to the regulations present in different provinces. On a national level, gambling is considered one of the most popular pastime activities. That’s why thousands of online casinos around the globe offer their services to Canadian players. So, no matter which province, Canadians can hop online and swiftly seek the best $10 deposit bonus casino in Canada, finding dozens of brands that offer such a promo. The gambling industry keeps blooming in North America, so it’s a clear indicator that gambling is popular there.
Let’s examine different Canadian provinces and the popularity of gambling in each one. The common theme is that gambling is a popular pastime activity for a high percentage of the population across all provinces.
Ontario: Largest Casino Market
Ontario is geographically the second-biggest Canadian province and the biggest one in terms of population. Additionally, it is the first one to fully regulate online gambling, opening up its market to brands from all around the world.
So far, it has had an amazing result, as the record numbers show an increase of 78% between 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. With $63 billion in total wagers, Ontario remains the province with the largest casino market in the country.
Aside from clear and inviting gambling regulations, the province’s population size helps it stay ahead of others.
Quebec: Strong Gambling Culture
Out of all the provinces, Quebec residents are most likely to gamble. The numbers are high: 69% of residents are likely to gamble in this province. This means that this percentage of the population spends, on average, $20 or more per month on gambling.
While the figure close to 70% sounds high, the rest of the country follows suit, with the percentage fluctuating up to 19%, making Saskatchewan and Manitoba the least likely to gamble at 50% of the overall population. Again, this is in terms of the monthly spending category between $20-$100 on gambling.
All this is not a surprise, as Quebec residents consider gambling as one of the most favorite pastimes. The most popular form of gambling is the lottery.
British Columbia: Popular Gaming Destinations
British Columbia follows suit with the popularity of gambling in the province. The latest data from the participation study shows approximately 70% participation, meaning that more than two-thirds of British Columbia residents have participated in some form of gambling.
This is essentially the national standard, as Canadians enjoy gambling of all types. British Columbia is special due to its massive selection of gaming destinations. Horse racing is also extremely popular in the country, opening up more opportunities for citizens to wager on global events.
According to official data, the province has 21 land-based casinos in 20 cities. There are also 17 bingo halls and community gaming centers. You can also enjoy horse betting at two race tracks and 14 teletheatres.
Last but not least, there is a state-run online casino where all British Columbia residents can enjoy slots, baccarat, blackjack, roulette, and poker.
Alberta: High Casino Participation
Alberta is another province where casinos are extremely popular. The official statistics mention that an astonishing 80% of Albertans enjoy gambling at least once a year. It’s evident that gambling in Alberta is considered one of the more popular pastime activities in the country.
When you consider how many gambling venues there are in this small population, you can see that Albertans love gambling.
There are 24 casinos, 28 bingo halls, 82 keno facilities, and 3 racing centers. All those who love the lottery can find 903 VLTs and 2,650 lottery centers. So it’s clear that people love participating in lottery types of games the most.
Atlantic Canada: Growing Player Base
Atlantic Canada follows its Western provinces, and the numbers show that gambling is equally popular in this part of the country. Apparently, four in five Atlantic Canadians spend some money on gambling in a year. Here’s the breakdown:
- Prince Edward Island – 82%
- Newfoundland and Labrador – 77%
- Nova Scotia – 73%
- New Brunswick – 85%
These high percentages indicate that there are a growing number of players in these provinces. Similarly to other provinces, Atlantic Canadians prefer to gamble on the lottery.
Manitoba: Notable Casino Interest
Manitoba closely follows the national participation rates of other provinces. With 80% of Manitobans enjoying gambling at least once annually, the province shows a great interest in this form of entertainment. Even the types of gambling trends are in line with the majority of the rest of Canada.
Gamblers in Manitoba love playing the lottery, charity raffles, casino slots, and VLTs. The least popular type of gambling is sports betting, whether we’re talking about regular sports or horse racing exclusively. The population in this province favors gambling on casino-type games more than others.
DISCLAIMER: The information on this site is for entertainment purposes only. Online gambling carries risks, so you should only play within your means. If you’re struggling with a gambling addiction, reach out for help from a professional at the National Gambling Helpline through this phone line: 1-626-960-3500. All gambling websites and guides on this website are 18+. Check your local laws to ensure online gambling is legal in your area. Not valid in Ontario.
Check these websites for free gambling addiction resources.
https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/
https://www.cprg.ca/
https://www.responsiblegambling.org/
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