The popularity of online gambling varies depending on the country. Moreover, there are places where people gamble legally and places where they gamble illegally online. Basically, the general consensus among the citizens or governing parties dictates the position on this topic and even shapes the general public view. Two countries where online casinos are really popular are Ireland and Canada, and yet there are multiple differences within this area when it comes to these two regions. Here we will go over the differences between online casinos that are available in Canada and those in Ireland.
Gambling Law Differences
One of the most distinct differences between these two regions is how gambling is regulated. Land-based gambling is perfectly legal in both Ireland and Canada, however, when it comes to online casinos things are a bit different. In Canada, you are allowed to gamble online, play casino games and place bets, but you cannot be an online casino operator. Therefore any online low wagering casino in Canada with no-wagering bonus requirements is actually based in a different country. You can still get bonuses, make withdrawals, and of course, play available games with these low-wagering operators. Moreover, sites are adapted for the Canadian market so it doesn’t feel like you are playing in Malta, Curacao, or the UK.
This also means that Canada doesn’t have a regulatory body for online casinos, but they do have a list of approved regulators. So, online casinos with licenses from the following regulatory bodies are approved in Canada:
- United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC)
- Government of Gibraltar
- Curacao Gaming License
- Costa Rica Gaming License
- Malta Gaming Authority
- Antigua and Barbuda gaming license
The situation is different in Ireland. They have a regulatory body for these businesses, and foreign operators must comply with certain laws and regulations. This also means that these regulations are subject to change and that’s often the case. The regulatory body needs to protect the users and impose new restrictions if needed in order to be successful.
Difference in Demographics
When it comes to demographics they are somewhat similar. Most gamblers prefer online operators due to their accessibility and other conveniences. In both Ireland and Canada, the gamblers are predominantly male around 55% to 45% ratio, but the majority of the women player base prefers online operators. Also, more males tend to gamble using real money, as there are casino games online that don’t require you to make a deposit or wager real cash.
The difference usually comes in the type of content users enjoy. Slots are the most popular game in both countries, and that’s pretty much the case for any given country. In Ireland, after slots, the most popular games are poker and live poker. This is why the 20bet casino operator offers different variations of poker and multiple options for live poker games. As one of the best operators in Ireland they also heavily focus on online sports betting. The same applies to sites available in Canada only once again the sports they bet on vary greatly.
In Canada, the most popular online casino games are:
- Slots
- Baccarat
- Blackjack
- Poker
- Roulette
- Craps
In Ireland, the list looks like this:
- Slots
- Poker
- Blackjack
- Roulette
- Live dealer games
Online Casino Sports Betting
Another very important appeal to these sites lies in sports wagering options. Since these gambling parlors want to cater to a large user base, sports betting options are readily available on the same site or the same app. Now, there are actually domestic online sports betting sites in Canada, as they don’t face the same legal barriers as online casinos. That being said, there are some hefty restrictions when it comes to the types of bets they can offer. So, once again Canadians often turn to foreign platforms for this type of entertainment.
Some of the most popular sports in Canada, and by extension sports betting activities are:
- Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Baseball
- Cricket
- Basketball
In Ireland the sports betting preference looks like this:
- Gaelic Games
- Soccer
- Horse racing
- Rugby
- Golf
Both countries have a small percentage of problem gamblers and those who exhibit problematic behavior. More importantly, even at these low rates of between 1-3% these issues are taken seriously. The regulators mainly adjust their laws to combat these occurrences and to limit the exposure of this content to underaged citizens. Moreover, there are cautionary tales that usually make it to the public, as they rarely affect a single person, but they often spread to those close to them. This is why licensed platforms always have disclaimers about responsible gaming.
Conclusion
These were some of the main differences and some of the similarities between online gambling markets in Canada and Ireland. Hopefully, you learned something new and interesting and you’ll have a better idea of what to expect if you choose to play on sites that are available in these countries.
