Canada
A Review of Your Rights When Choosing to Gamble Online
Knowing Your Rights to Gamble Online
Freedom and liberty are all part of the American picture we are sold across the movies, TV, and news, but how true is this when it comes to gambling. We all know about Vegas and the US Powerball lotto is the biggest in the world, but not all things are as smooth sailing for US players wanting to experience more modern forms of gambling.
Online gambling is our focus in this review because despite it being a gaming platform for over 20-years, most American players do not know their rights when it comes to online gaming and the chance to win real money from the hundreds of online establishments providing classic casino games, online slot machines, and live sports betting.
Gambling in America is big business so let’s see how that transfers into the world of online gaming…
The Many Gambling Laws of America
In the United States of America, there are three sets of laws/regulations that are found at the level of Federal, State, and of Local. This alone contributes to the confusion over player’s rights, given that at the most basic level of understanding that gambling is outright illegal from a federal point of view, yet, depending on what state you live in, gambling can be 100% legal.
This is not so much an American thing, more of a general political stance that is shared by many other countries, mirrored most evidently by India.
We spoke with Sabrina Kumar, Editor-in-Chief of Casinos-India.in, a site offering expert reviews of legal online casinos in India, to share with us how US and Indian laws are the same in almost every way.
“Gambling is a political hot potato. It is a taboo that has been around for centuries and is a very divisive topic when it comes to discussing rights and acceptance. India and the US have similar histories, with natives being either colonized by the British or European countries. In India, the British took over in 1858 and only ended in 1947. The sensibilities are more integrated because it was so recent, with the Indian Gambling Act being installed in 1867. In the US, the colonization started back in the 15th Century with the Spanish settlers, with the British taking territories in the 1600s, for nearly two centuries.
With gambling in India, the laws hardly changed once the British left and as India became a tourist destination with the introduction of public aviation in the 1950s, adjustments were made to introduce land casinos within the more popular regions of the country like Goa and Sikkim. Indian players, like those in the US, shared the same gambling law principles. At a higher government level, it was banned, but if a city or state wanted to appeal to tourists, then licensing approval allowed the industry to flourish.”
How Online Casinos are Able to Operate
So, as it stands for players in India and in the US, if you wish to gamble, then you can travel to parts of the country where land casinos are licensed and permitted by approval of local law. So, how does all this work when it comes to an online business. Well, the law is clear on this and unless state-owned, no business within the country borders can form their own online gambling services.
This is with exception of those within licensed states or cities. For American players, this is hardly liberty and freedom to play. Thankfully, with any law where governments can financially gain, there are loopholes.
Ideally, any government would fully allow gambling because it generates so much revenue in taxes, we are talking billions in dollars. But this would not sit well with the voters who are now conditioned to think gambling is bad. It is a catch-twenty-two for the government, but there are still ways they can profit.
The internet is a free domain for all and unless you live in North Korea, then no government dares to dictate how it can be used by the people. As it is a global platform, players can assess sites that are set overseas, for example, you can read CNN news whilst in Thailand and you can purchase goods off eBay in Europe from America.
This is the loophole. Players from America, just as in India, can access foreign casino sites that are registered outside of their respective countries. Americans can play in European casinos, just as Indian players can.
This is possible because of two factors. One, casinos are regulated by gambling bodies like the Malta Gaming Authority or the UKGC. And two, because they accept foreign currencies. It’s as simple as that really.
These casino domains are just like any other online service and they can service players across many different countries.
Governments will benefit by being able to tax the services of online casinos that wish to trade within their country. Plus, players in the US will already have to pay a tax on winnings that are over $5,000. However, online, there is no taxable claim as the profits are technically made off American soil.
Your Rights to Gamble Online
Can you gamble in the US? Yes. Can you gamble online in the US? Yes, as long as the casino you are joining is not registered within any US borders. The world of the Internet allows you to explore foreign sites that accept US currency and payments are made in real US dollars also. To date, no online user has been brought to charge or faced prosecution because the loopholes are there, but because the laws are so messy between local and federal standpoints, it is no wonder why players hoping to gamble online do not and ultimately give up on the idea of it without researching first.
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Teams under the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (CSEC) banner have expanded their long-term partnership with Play Alberta, the province’s premier iGaming destination. As part of the agreement, the Flames will feature AGLC’s responsible gambling program, GameSense, on their home helmets and a Play Alberta insignia displayed on their home jerseys. The Stampeders, Wranglers, and Roughnecks will integrate the Play Alberta logo onto their uniforms.
“There’s significant importance now to showcase meaningful responsible gambling efforts in the iGaming industry. I’m proud of our initiatives to provide GameSense with such a visible platform. GameSense promotes healthy gambling habits online and in person and including AGLC’s responsible gambling platform over the course of this partnership is a huge accomplishment,” Kandice Machado, Chief Executive Officer at AGLC.
The agreement makes Play Alberta the exclusive sports betting and online gaming partner of the Flames, Wranglers, Stampeders, and Roughnecks. Through the partnership, Play Alberta and CSEC will develop unique partnerships and in-arena giveaways during the season.
“Through GameSense, our partnership with Play Alberta equips our fans with the knowledge required if they wish to participate in gaming while they support their home team. We are both proud and excited to extend our relationship with Play Alberta that makes cheering for our teams that much more fun while also generating revenue to support the quality of life for Albertans,” said CSEC President and CEO Robert Hayes.
Alberta is the first jurisdiction in North America to partner with professional sports franchises and integrate PlayAlberta.ca and social responsibility branding onto uniforms. It upholds AGLC’s commitment to responsible play, raising awareness of GameSense and Self-Exclusion, resources that give bettors the tools they need to make healthy gambling choices.
In addition, proceeds generated through the website go toward the province’s General Revenue Fund. In 2023–24, $235 million was generated for programs and services that Albertans rely on every day through Play Alberta, an increase of more than $42 million from the previous year.
The Canadian Football League (CFL) and British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) have partnered to make BCLC’s online sportsbook – PlayNow Sports – the official sports betting partner of the 111th Grey Cup. BCLC, the only legal gaming operator in the province, is the newest Authorized Gaming Operator to partner with the league. The partnership builds upon BCLC’s commitment to football in the province – as both a longstanding supporter of the BC Lions and as an enthusiastic proponent of bringing the Grey Cup to Vancouver.
“BCLC is immensely proud to have PlayNow Sports as the official sports betting partner for the 111th Grey Cup. As a social-purpose company, BCLC works every day to generate win-wins for the greater good and serve in the best interests of the communities we call home. We’re thrilled to help bring together BC Lions and CFL fans from across the country in the spirit of celebration and community at this year’s Grey Cup Festival,” said Dan Beebe, BCLC’s Chief Operations Officer.
In celebration of Canada’s largest single-day sporting event returning to B.C. for the first time since 2014, the CFL and BCLC are holding a special contest for fans in B.C., Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The Grand Prize consists of two tickets to the championship game, two Grey Cup Festival passes, travel, accommodation, $500 in PlayNow Sports free bets and more.
“Responsible sports wagering, and the entertainment it provides, is an important part of the future of CFL fandom. Our work with BCLC allows fans to deepen their connection to the league, but more importantly, it strengthens our efforts to support British Columbians and the community through the valued programs and services they rely on every day,” said Tyler Keenan, the CFL’s Chief Revenue Officer.
The CFL’s province-specific Authorized Gaming Operator program works with partners to authenticate and regulate the league’s sports betting landscape. In 2023, the league complemented its existing wagering policies and by-laws with an enhanced Match Manipulation Policy. It is highlighted by an annual education component for all full- and part-time CFL personnel, including players, regarding their individual roles and responsibilities in supporting the league’s high standards for integrity and responsible gaming practices. All CFL personnel are strictly prohibited from wagering on league activities.
South Africa’s premium online gaming and entertainment provider, Goldrush Gaming, is expanding to Ontario, Canada, powered by Delasport’s full turnkey solution and managed services. The partnership is another key step in both Delasport’s steady positioning in the key Canadian jurisdiction and Goldrush’s streak of cross-vertical success in iGaming.
The award-winning supplier’s solution is designed to accommodate all Online Sportsbook and Casino needs, and Goldrush’s players in Ontario will soon enjoy the most innovative Casino and Sportsbook features in the industry. These features include player engagement tools such as SuperPot, missions and tournaments, unmatched personalization capabilities with My Sportsbook, My Casino, My Combo, and My Event Builder, Booster Panel for mobile devices, and Hot & Cold Casino game categories, and much more.
“Partnering with established brands such as Goldrush in Ontario is an honor and confirms that we’re on the right track with a third partner in this market, in turn validating our global expansion strategy”, comments Delasport’s Global Sales Director Reece Calderbank. “In the hands of partners like Goldrush, the quality and innovation our products provide to customers will enable Goldrush’s talented team to offer the best betting experience in the market to their players.”
Goldrush Online Director Dwain Powell shares this sentiment. “Goldrush’s legacy of premier gaming will offer Canadian players a diverse, rewarding entertainment experience. We are excited to extend our product and services to the Canadian market and believe that Delasport is the perfect partner to achieve our goals – all while bringing customers a unique and memorable gaming product’’.
Goldrush Group Canada is a branch of the esteemed Goldrush Gaming Group, which was established in South Africa over 25 years ago.
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