Canada vs. UK: A Comprehensive Gambling Industry Comparison

The gambling industries in the UK and Canada have seen a massive change over the years. There have been new technologies and laws. Besides, players no longer have the same taste as before. That’s why in this simple comparison, we’ll look at how Canada and the UK control gambling, as well as the most popular games played. You’ll also see how much the industry makes and what each country does to keep gambling safe. So, keep reading for a clear view of where the two countries stand today.

Gambling Regulation and Licensing

Laws are the bones of gambling. They decide who can play, where, and how. Let’s see how Canada & the UK handle those rules.

How Canada and the UK Regulate Online Gambling

Here’s how each country keeps things fair and safe for gamblers in online casinos.

Canada

There is no national rulebook for online Canadian gambling. Each province decides its own laws. So, where you live determines what your experience will be.

Ontario is at the forefront of the Canadian online casino industry, having launched a legal online gambling market in April 2022. Now, it’s one of Canada’s most structured systems. 

Alberta is catching up, too. It reviewed its online gambling laws in early 2024 and passed Bill 16 a few months later. If things go as planned, Alberta’s new market could open by mid-2025.

UK

In Contrast, the UK has a single set of rules for everyone. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) oversees all licenses. Likewise, the body checks that operators follow fair, safe practices.

In 2021, the UKGC took important steps to protect players, especially younger ones. It banned fast spins in online slots and enforced a delay of 2.5 seconds per spin. This year, even, it placed bet limits on slots: £5 for anyone above 25, £2 for those between 18-24.

Regulations for Land-Based Gambling in Canada and the UK

Let’s also see how both countries regulate casinos, betting shops, bingo halls, etc.

Canada

Each province runs its casino venues. Ontario, for example, has many spots. Hence, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) upholds the laws and offers help to problem gamblers.

Similarly, British Columbia’s Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch regulates land-based casinos and maintains fairness. 

UK

On the other hand, the United Kingdom’s land-based casino regulation still falls under the UKGC. In 2019, the UK slashed the maximum bet on Fixed-Odds Betting Terminals from £100 to £2. This was a move to protect bettors from quick, heavy losses.

There are always updates to the UKGC rules in order to balance fun with safety. 

People’s betting preferences depend on local culture, as well as the options they have easy access to.

Preferred Forms of Gambling in Canada

Lotteries are the most popular in Canada. Almost everyone is familiar with Lotto Max, scratch cards, etc. Popular forms of gambling are also include:  

  • Slots
  • Poker
  • Sports betting
  • Horse racing (declining popularity)

Besides, many sportsbooks now include casino games. So, players can have access to both on a single platform.

Charity gambling like raffles or bingo is still common, especially in smaller towns. People bet on horse racing too, although that’s very rare now.

Preferred Forms of Gambling in the UK

Sports betting tops the chart in the United Kingdom, especially for football/soccer. People still stake on renowned horse races like the Grand National and Cheltenham Festival as well. But the sport isn’t that popular anymore.

Moreso, millions of people participate in the national lottery, scratch cards, and online lottery games weekly. Likewise, casino games hold special places in the hearts of UK gamblers.

The Revenue from Gambling Industry

Here’s an overview of the massive income Canada and UK generate from the gambling industry.

Gambling Revenue in Canada

The total revenue in 2023 was above $16 billion CAD. The impact of Ontario’s new iGaming market was huge. It reported over $1.4 billion CAD in its first year.

The lottery market makes the most money, followed by land-based casinos. The fast growth of the online Canadian gambling industry, especially in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia, is profitable too. And while charity games and racetrack betting bring in smaller amounts, they still matter. Most provinces are able to support health care, schools, local projects, etc, using part of the money.

Gambling Revenue in the UK

The United Kingdom gambling industry reported £15.1 billion in gross revenue by March 2023, with online gaming alone generating around £6.5 billion. Online casino slots were the most profitable, which isn’t surprising. 

In addition, while betting shops have been losing customers to online sites, they managed to earn around £2.4 billion. The National Lottery sold about £4 billion in tickets too. But casinos and bingo halls earned less. 

Responsible Gambling Measures

To reduce problem gambling, the UK and Canada always take active steps to help players.

Canada

Each province in Canada handles its responsible gaming programs. These programs often work with health groups and schools. An example is British Columbia’s GameSense which gives players tips and tools to stay in control.

Likewise, Ontario’s iGaming system has strong rules regarding self-exclusion, deposit limits, time-out options, etc. Sites must warn players about online gambling risks and show them where to get help.

UK

Since the United Kingdom has a national system, all operators must follow the UKGC rules. These include money checks, clear ads, and safety tools for players.

Moreover, players who join programs like GAMSTOP are blocked from all UK gambling sites for a set time. In addition, the United Kingdom holds Safer Gambling Week yearly. Through that, open talks about risk and support are started. New regulations are discussed too, like spending limits for players and tighter bonus rules. The aim, in all, is to protect gamblers from harm.

Summary

As you can see, the UK and Canada have strong industries. But they’re operated differently. While Canadian gambling uses a province-by-province system, the UK has one national system. Yet, they share similarities as well. The two countries are seeing more people move to online casinos. Indeed, this shift helps them generate more revenue but also comes with risks. That’s why both Canada and the UK keep updating their regulations and measures to protect players.ada vs. UK: A Comprehensive Gambling Industry Comparison