The casino industry in Canada is a relatively recent development and has only really been established since the early 1970s. Since then, the number of casinos has proliferated considerably, and there are now over 100 land-based casinos in the country, with many smaller licenced establishments offering slot machines and table games.
Similarly, the online gaming scene in Canada, like much of the rest of the world, has grown exponentially in recent years. The gambling sector in Canada amounted to 12.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2021. Gamers can enjoy both in-country and offshore online casinos and take advantage of the many offers available. The UK leads the way here, with many casino promotions showcasing what Canada can do to mimic successful gambling platforms from around the globe.
With this in mind, let’s look at the most popular casino games in Canada right now.
Slots
This is the most popular form of gaming worldwide, and Canada is no different. This classic game involves putting your money in and pulling the lever (or pressing a button) to spin the reels. Players can win if they have matched a pattern of symbols when the reels have stopped spinning. Online casinos and digital technology have greatly increased the interactivity of the slot machine genre by being able to offer complex video graphics and advanced features.
Blackjack
This classic card game remains a firm favorite for both online and in-person casino gaming, and there are various reasons for this. Firstly, the basic rules are very easy to pick up even for a novice gamer and the play duration for each hand is quick, which keeps the game intense and exciting.
On a basic level, the player is dealt two cards and needs to get to, or as close to 21 as possible while getting a higher total than the dealer. Depending on the opening hand dealt, the player can either choose to ‘stand’ or can request another card to be dealt. While being primarily a game of chance, the experienced player can, by looking at what the dealer has been dealt and assessing their own hand, make an informed decision on their next move.
Roulette
The game of roulette originated in 18th century France and involves a tilted wheel track with numbers 0-36 being spun by the casino croupier. A ball is then spun in the opposite direction around the track, and when it stops, the ball drops into one of the number dividers signalling the winning number.
Before the ball is spun, the player may place a betting chip on a number they predict will win or on a variety of different numbers, the color red or black, whether the winning number will be odd or even, or if the numbers are low (1–18) or high (19–36). Once the wheel is spun and the ball rests on a winning number, any successful bets are paid out on a scale of probability. The highest payout is for guessing the correct number, with the lowest being guessing whether a red or black number will win.
These classics have worldwide popularity, and in the years to come, they’ll be sure to take advantage of modern technology and advances in gameplay to remain a constant favorite of Canadian players.
