One of the most significant moves in the history of the Canadian gambling industry took place in 2022. Having previously outlawed the practice, the Province of Ontario opened its doors to online casinos for the first time.

The move led to a significant increase in revenue for the sector, but there were some regulations still in place. Players were only expected to wager with Canadian providers, but could that situation be about to change?

Ontario Open for Business

As the second biggest province in the country, Ontario was always going to add significant revenue to Canada’s online gambling industry. The results are already starting to have an effect and projections claim that national income from the sector will continue to rise through to 2030 at the very least. There was always a willing audience in Ontario, and from 2022 its citizens could now access the best online casinos in Canada. Demand was high and residents have been enjoying those opportunities for the last two years, but now they want more.

Up until this point, casino players are expected to register with sites regulated and licensed within Canada itself. Access to overseas based operators is restricted, but a loophole in the laws means that it isn’t banned outright. Some players in Ontario want that confirmed extension to play overseas, while the Provincial government is looking for a better definition on current legislation.

Legal Gray Area

Reports relating to this story state that there is nothing under Canada’s criminal code preventing players from accessing casino and gambling platforms based overseas. However, anyone trying to load a webpage from such an operator may find an error message or a confirmation that they are excluded. In many cases, however, they are allowed to proceed to the operator, open an account and start playing.

Because of this gray area, many players feel that they should be able to play with a foreign provider. The Provincial government, meanwhile, knows that they have to tighten up the ruling and make a decision on overseas platforms.

Mixed Projections

Talk about clarifying the law has led to some mixed reactions. There are those who feel that more money will be lost if Ontario’s governors decide to formally allow its citizens to wager with a platform based outside of Canada.

Others believe that it would make no difference. Players would continue to use the casinos and gambling websites that they are already registered with.

Elsewhere, there are concerns that closing down access to foreign entities might lead to illegal activity. Players who have already registered an overseas account will want to keep playing there and it could potentially drive the industry underground.

A Delicate Balance

It’s a tough decision for the Ontario Provincial government to make. Having drawn attention to the loophole, they can’t simply leave the law in abeyance. They must now decide whether to officially open up gambling to overseas providers or to shut the door completely.

Having taken so long to legalize gambling in the Province, the decision to allow the practice from 2022 was instantly fruitful. The casino sector and gambling industries in Canada are now returning record revenue figures, and as long as Ontario is on board, there will be no slowdown anytime soon.

By formally opening up to overseas providers, the provincial government risks losing a part of that income. The positive projections may take a hit, but nobody knows how much money will leave Canada and head outside of the country.

By closing access to those foreign sites, there is the danger of driving the sector underground. In all probability, the Ontario Provincial government will feel backed into a corner. They will likely allow players to use those overseas casinos and operators and hope that the economy doesn’t take a hit.