18. February 2021
How Can US Players Still Enjoy Online Casino Gambling?
As many US players know, online gambling is a somewhat of a grey area in the States. Different states have different rules and in the general, things can get quite confusing. For this reason, we’re going to delve into a little more detail and how you can still enjoy a great gambling experience if you play at online casinos in Canada.
The Legal Aspect: What You Need to Know About Online USA Gambling Laws
First things first. The US gambling industry is governed by local, state and federal regulations. It’s interesting to note that some states have laws are extremely archaic – in fact, some rules are two centuries old! This is a prime example as to why gambling laws in the States are all over the place. Even though technology and other aspects of the industry have involved, some states are still stuck in the past. That said, it’s not all bad - other states are more open to the possibility of legalizing gambling in the very near future.
At the time of writing, gambling in the States is legal under US federal law. If we consider state lotteries, they are available in 44 US states. Additionally, tribal casinos are open for business in more than half of the states. Big cities and other towns offer even more gambling possibilities thanks to their card rooms. In this case, you can also take part in charitable gambling.
If you’re interested online casino, things are about to get a little more complex. We’ll tell you one thing – the regulations are extremely strict. Especially since all US states have different rules, they are at the liberty of choosing whether to legalize online gambling or not. You may be thinking why are online gambling laws so complicated? The problem is many things happened in the industry’s past, and some states refuse to strike a balance.
This is illustrated in examples such as the following. Back in 1961, the Federal Wire Act imposed a ban on sports betting, but nothing was mentioned in relation to casino games. Furthermore, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2016, banned all gambling transactions, but didn’t prohibit online gambling. In the end, US players engaged in games that offered no prizes. Can you see why all of this is quite confusing?
So, if you’re wondering if you create an online casino account or not, the short answer is yes. The long answer is you need to be aware of the online gambling rules imposed by your state. For example, if you don’t reside in a state that legalizes online gambling, your chosen offshore online casino needs to have a valid license from a reputable gaming body. You can then proceed to opening an account and place your bets.
A prime example of this is Florida. This is one of those states that is known for its strict gambling regulations. In this case, players are allowed to participate and place bets at offshore online casino platforms. You will not be subject to prosecution and you will not be violating any US federal laws. However, the situation is slightly different for operators. In this regard, they are not permitted to run any online casinos as of yet. If they are caught doing so, they will indeed be in violation of US federal laws and may be prosecuted.
States that Permit Online Gambling in 2021 and Other Alternatives
From what we’ve seen so far, one state may have less restrictive or more restrictive rules than the other. It’s no surprise that players struggle to keep up with what’s legal and what’s not at times. That’s why we’re here to help!
At the time of writing, these are the following states that allow US players to engage in online gambling in 2021:
- Delaware
- New Jersey
- West Virginia
- New Mexico
- Rhode Island
- Arkansas
- Iowa
- Oregon
- Indiana
- New Hampshire
- Illinois
- Mississippi
- Michigan
- Montana
- Colorado
- Washington, DC
- Tennessee
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- Washington
- Oklahoma
It’s important to note that more and more states are working towards establishing better laws to hopefully legalize gambling in the near future. In fact, it’s very likely that states like California are next in line to finally make online casino gambling legal.
If you are living in a state where online gambling isn’t legal yet, there are options for you too. In fact, we invite all our readers to check out what online casinos in Canada can offer to potential US players who are interested in signing up.
The Differences Between Gambling Online and Land-based Casinos
Ready to be part of a thrilling gaming experience? Great! You just need to decide whether you prefer Canadian online casinos or land-based casinos – or both! If you’re still new to the scene, we’re going to break down the differences between the two.
Land-based Casinos
Land-based casino gambling can be classed as the traditional form of gambling. To participate, you have to visit a venue in Canada or anywhere else in the world. Take Ontario as an example or even Las Vegas’s famous Strip; even if you have never been yet, you know the area is brimming with some of the most prestigious casinos in the world.
As far as the gambling aspect goes, you obviously need to follow the rules of each respective game. Slots are easy enough to understand, whilst table games like blackjack and roulette require strategic thinking and a certain level of skill. Other than that, you’re free to enjoy your time in the gambling area.
In short, the land-based experience offers what some would call the real-life experience. Seeing as lots of directors include casino scenes in blockbuster films such as Casino Royale and Ocean’s 11, some people prefer brick and mortar venues because they want to experience the magic and more of an up close and personal experience. That said, it seems that online casinos seem to still be stealing these venues’s thunder as the years go by.
Online Casinos
We can agree that the birth of online casinos brought a whole different ball game to the table. Although the same rules that are used in traditional casino gambling are implemented, it seems that online casino gambling continues to raise the bar. So what’s so special about them?
A study on online casino gambling has shown that players are offered multiple opportunities when it actually playing online. In fact, Massimo Manzin and Roberto Biloslavo explore how ‘the growth [of online casinos] has influenced the subsequent development of traditional and internet casinos.
You’ll soon find out that online casinos in Canada offer the full package. In fact, experience is no different to what is being offered at land-based venues. You still get to play the same games simply by accessing them from your desktop, mobile or tablet devices.
Rest assured that nothing has been compromised even though you are playing from the comfort of your home. In fact, you’ll find that most online casino Canada platforms don’t cut corners when it comes to their gaming lobbies. You’ll find a huge selection of slots, traditional table games, and even live casino variants for those of you who want to take things up a notch. In short, you certainly won’t be disappointed.
And that’s not all! You’ll find that some of the best online casino platforms offer bonuses and freebies to complete your experience. That’s right! For starters you can claim your welcome bonus once you sign up to Canadian casino online platform of choice. From that point onwards, you can claim even more rewards including reload bonuses, refer to friend bonuses, loyalty bonuses and so much more.
How to Find the Best Online Casino in Canada
Now that you have a better understanding of what your online casino gambling experience consists of, we will now help you find the best online casino platforms in Canada. As US players, you first need to familiarize yourself with what you’re actually looking for in your Canadian casino online experience. In other words, you need to ask yourself if the casino you’re interested in has everything you’re looking for. Check out our checklist below!
Licensing
First of all, you need to make sure that the provider in question is licensed and regulated by a reputable gaming body. This is an important step in the process if you want to avoid getting scammed by internet fraudsters. Bottom line, a licensed provider gives you peace of mind and a sense of security.
Game Variety
Next, you need to think about what kind of games you are most likely to play. Most online casinos in Canada tend to offer a mix of slots, table games, scratch cards, lotteries etc., to be able to meet different tastes and preferences.
However, you may come across others that offer more slots than table games or vice versa. If you like both games, this shouldn’t really be a problem, however, if you tend to stick to certain types of games, you have to make sure that you’re not signing up to a provider that doesn’t offer what you’re looking for.
Bonuses
You’ll be pleased to know that multiple online casinos in Canada offer a wide range of bonuses. Upon placing a deposit, you can instantly get your hands on a welcome bonus that can feature anything from cash prizes and even free spins.
On top of that, most online casinos in Canada offer more promotions as you climb up the casino ladder. Some of these include anything from daily, weekly and monthly deals, to reload bonuses, no deposit bonuses and even loyalty bonuses.
All these bonuses sound attractive, however, you need to make sure that you agree to their terms and conditions and the wagering requirements that are tied to them. In short, just make sure you understand what you’re signing up for.
Signing Up to Canadian Online Casino Sites
So, you’ve found your desired canadian casino online platform that has everything you’re looking for from the games to the bonuses and the overall gaming experience. All you need to do now is sign up!
There’s nothing too complicated about the registration process; in fact, online casinos in Canada make it a point to ensure that your online casino canada experience is smooth sailing from start to finish.
To sign up, you simply have to launch your provider’s website. You are then just a few clicks away from playing some of the most thrilling online casino canada games and gaining access to your rewards. You just have to enter your personal details, place a deposit and you’re good to go. That’s all there is to it! In fact, here’s the full process broken down in 5 simple steps:
- Launch your provider’s website
- Sign up / Log in
- Enter your personal details
- Place a Deposit
- Get Playing!
Gambling in Provinces: Canadian Rules and Regulations
As we move on to explore Canadian gambling laws, you will find that it has truly come a long way when it comes to the gambling industry. Considering the fact that gambling was prohibited up until the 1950s, it’s great to see to see that situation has improved. When lawmakers altered the Criminal Code in 1969, this finally allowed provinces and territories to participate in regulated lotteries.
Nowadays, all forms of gambling are regulated by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. It licenses and regulates poker rooms, sport books, as well as Canadian online casinos. Additionally, it also regulates three land-based poker rooms within the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake. On that note, we’ll now take a closer look at the rules and regulations imposed by some of Canada’s provinces.
Kahnawake
Although most Canadian players (and others residing across the globe) are most likely familiar with Kahnawake because it’s one of the gaming bodies, there are other interesting facts you should know about. In fact, Kahnawake is renowned as one of the first jurisdictions to realize the potential of this billion dollar industry. Once the Regulations Concerning Interactive Gaming in the year 1999 by the Commission, more gambling providers were able to offer their services to this ever-growing industry. Best of all, this gave players the chance to truly experience what it’s like to be part of the casinosphere.
Ontario
Ontario is one of the more liberal provinces that permits most forms of gambling. As per Canadian gambling laws, players can participate in online and land-based gambling. This includes casino games like slots, blackjack, poker and roulette, as well as sports betting.
That said, there are still some issues with regard to online gambling. In this regard, you are allowed to engage in online gambling, as long as the casino is able to present a valid licensed and regulated by a reputable gaming body. In short, you won’t be fined or prosecuted if you want to engage in the Canadian casino online experience. On top of that, your winnings aren’t taxed.
Alberta
Alberta is renowned as the largest of the Prairie Provinces. It is also well known for its history of sports betting and gambling. In this regard, it’s not surprising that lots of players participate in a various forms of gambling including land-based gambling, horse racing, sports betting, video lottery terminals, lotteries and charitable gambling. What’s more is that that Canadian online casinos are also available in this province.
The Best Casinos in Canada
Now that we’re finally done with any gambling legalities and other minor details, it’s time to recommend two of our favorite Canadian casinos. We’ve taken into consideration that US players are interested in different things. Bearing this in mind, we’ve decided to recommend a land-based one for those of players who want to experience the action up close and an online one for those of you who are still looking to enjoy the same thrills from the comfort of your home.
The Montreal Casino
If you’re planning a casino night out in Canada, we only have one place in mind; the Montreal Casino offers the ultimate land-based experience to all players under one roof. The Montreal Casino is one of Canada’s top venues that is located on the Notre Dame Island in Ville-Marie in Montreal, Quebec. It’s also Canada’s largest casino that provides non-stop entertainment to all its visitors.
Besides housing a plethora of slot machines and table games, the Montreal Casino also hosts numerous shows. In particular, The Cabaret du Casino is renowned for its musical performances and even boxing galas. In fact, we’re not surprised that the experience is described as a ‘world where entertainment is king.’ Best of all, you can also wine and dine at the casino’s restaurants.
What’s also remarkable about this casino is that it also offers an online experience. That’s right! You can still play your favourite online slots, table games and more just by signing up. Simply put, the Montreal Casino offers the best of both worlds – it is hands down a remarkable land-based venue and also one of the best online casino platforms.
The Yukon Gold Casino
Up next we’ve got the Yukon Gold Casino – a name that certainly needs no introduction in the Canadian casino online spectrum. Ever since the platform launched in 2004, it has sought to become a leading provider of some of the best online casino games. It prides itself on being amongst the online casinos in Canada that offer the latest online gaming technology, coupled with thrilling casino games and extensive customer support.
Seeing as the Yukon Gold Casino uses the Microgaming Viper software to deliver quality games, you know the graphics and sound effects are second to none. In short, you certainly won’t be disappointed with what’s on offer.
When signing up to the Yukon Gold Casino, US players can also get their hands on an array of bonuses including a generous welcome bonus and other promotions along the way. (Terms and Conditions Apply). Best of all, this Canadian casino online provider is also known for its 125 chances to win massive jackpots. If you want our advice, don’t miss out!