Learn The History Of Gambling & Casinos In Canada

The History of Gambling And Casinos

Gambling dates back thousands of years, with evidence of dice games in China around 2300 B.C. Dice later settled disputes between kings, while roulette became popular among European elites. Learn more about the evolution of gambling below.

1380: Prohibited dice games

Richard III prohibited dice games. A rule later exported to Canada. His decision was due to concerns over his archers spending too mach time playing dice. He feared it could have a backlash against the area and cause safety breaches amongst his royal confines.
1497: John Cabot

While exploring the vast Canadian territory, John Cabot found several Native populations playing different games of chance. These games were important spiritually emotionally, physically mentally rather than pure enjoyment.
1892: Canada Ban

Gambling became part of Canadian culture. However, this was a time in which religion and stiff morals were weighing on legislators' psyche. As a result, every type of gambling was banned. This backfired since it opened the doors to underground networks of criminal and mob-like activity to start and run illegal dens.
1900: Bingo for charity

The government started making a few improvements. Bingo and raffles were allowed if they were for charity.
1910: Horce racing

Horse racing was made legal.
1925: Legal gambling

Gambling events could take place legally at fairs and town exhibitions.
1969: Lottery approved

The government started losing its rules and understood the importance and value of lotteries and gambling.
1970: Gambling licences

All provinces could license and regulate gambling.
1974: Montreal olympics

The first lottery was held in aid of Montreal Olympics.
1989: First casino

The first commercial land based casino opened in Winnipeg, Canada.
1993: Online gambling

The first established land based casino in Montreal. Several other provinces followed. The late 90's game rise to Canadians becoming more and more interested in online gambling.
2001: Statistics
- 38,652 Video Lottery Terminals at 8309 locations
- 31,537 slot machines
- 32,932 lottery ticket centres
- 1,880 bingo hall permits
- 59 permanent casinos
- 70 race tracks (20 are "racinos" or race tracks with slot machines)
- 107 betting teletheatres

2026 - Countrywide Popularity

Nowadays, there are land based casinos in almost every Canadian province, with Canada now known as the country for gambling. Gambling continues to be a respected past time, which generation after generation adopt and admire. Online gambling and mobile gambling are now also popular with all players thanks to increased accessibility.

The Future Looks Bright

Online casinos are constantly being updated, whether it's their banking methods that are expanding or it the technology they use to provide their games. And we don't think that's going to stop any time soon. With mobile compatible casinos and apps becoming a standard fixture if top quality sites, we think it's fair to say that we'll be seeing some advances in relation to smartphone & tablet play.

The History of Gambling And Casinos

2026 - Countrywide Popularity

The Future Looks Bright

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