As the online gambling market has expanded since the industry’s advent in the late 1990s, the number of companies seeking to enter it has grown. Now, some brands have been able to do this with greater confidence than others, while others have appeared briefly before fizzling away into obscurity.
As the industry has gone through a successful period, a wave of new companies has emerged, particularly in recent years. Many of these platforms come to the table with unique licenses from a range of new jurisdictions. Others rely on the more expensive but thorough and more revered jurisdictions, such as the UKGC, or on provincial and state-based regulators throughout North America.
Online gambling is an ever-changing industry, and there’s no set route to success. However, today we are going to explore exactly how licensing ensures fairness and safety in online gambling, how it has created a route for brands to succeed, and why it is essential for the future growth of the market.
Casino gaming safety in its different forms
Canadian casinos generate huge amounts of custom and tax revenue. Those who opt for Canadian casino sites with real money and have spent their time and effort seeking out different platforms will understand just how vast this market is, and how it continues to grow.
Whenever the topic of casino gaming safety is brought up, it is often in one of two contexts, both incredibly important to the continuity and validity of the broader Canadian casino gaming market. Licensure, especially the correct provincial licensing, which adheres to local and national regulations, will cover both types of safety.
The first type of safety is the more literal definition, which ensures that your information is kept secure and that online casinos in Canada use the most up-to-date antivirus and security measures to prevent any information they hold about you from being subject to a data breach. Globally, data breaches cost trillions of dollars per year, and, according to analysts, this cost will continue to rise.
From a more customer-oriented perspective, the second definition of safety is personal protection for the small percentage of gamblers who develop an issue with their betting.
The importance of responsible gambling
Access to online gambling has never been easier; it is crucial that sites ensure the protection of their customers, who are most at risk. The basic requirements for licensing include a variety of problem gambling prevention tools, such as cooling-off periods, self-exclusion, and tools that allow people to set up appropriate time and deposit limits.
This is the first step for many gamblers, including myself. I will set up these limits, which ensure that I only spend money I can afford to lose, and that I do not get carried away with the amount of time I spend on a gambling site.
Licensing ensures that casinos maintain these tools and identify customers with issues. If casinos in Canada are found to have lapses in their approach, they can be subjected to penalties, fines, and even criminal prosecution. If you believe you are developing an issue with your gambling, or you know somebody who is, there are multiple Canada-based problem gambling charities that can assist you further.
The interweaving nature of fairness, safety, and licensing
Digital companies will pursue a range of strategies to get their platforms off the ground. They will use social media, rack up Instagram followers to expand their potential reach, and project a specific image of their business.
Some will spend money to partner with social media influencers to make their brand logo visible. Still, all of this means nothing if they do not consistently and deliberately ensure they operate under the right licensure and provide customers with fair gaming experiences.
The rise of some cryptocurrency casinos has conflated these issues and blurred the lines. As cryptocurrency is largely unregulated, especially in major economies like the US, it has found itself on a collision course with the gambling industry.
Not all, but many of these sites operate offshore, so fairness and safety are usually not high up on their agenda. Therefore, it is important to be careful when accessing a new site, and understand that a local license, transparent third-party auditing, and a wave of reputable reviews from industry experts and fellow casino gamers are usually the best place to start.
Final thoughts
Fast forward to the future of online gambling: licensing will remain a prominent feature if the industry is to succeed. Online gambling does not come without its detractors, and the presence of fair, robust, and clear licensing is often the best response to those who proclaim the industry is not acting in the best interests of customers.
This can change over time, although the industry would work more smoothly if Canadian licensing aligned with other major economies and effectively excluded untrustworthy casinos. As long as safety and fairness remain key, Canadian customers can trust that reputable sites invest heavily to meet standards.
