The world of online gambling is a large and diverse one. The industry behind it has taken the planet by storm as more and more countries are changing their stands on this form wagering. Online casinos are currently the most dominant form of gambling as they have taken over from regular brick and mortar casinos a while ago. Fewer and fewer people are visiting their local establishments and instead making their way online. As the industry changes, so must the laws and the views of those in charge. And if we remember how much trouble there was with legalizing any kind of gambling, it becomes apparent that it is a big deal for politicians and everyone else in power.
Gambling is tied to many other industries and it is a much grander endeavor than other forms of entertainment. Considering how much money is being used by the players and casinos as well as to establish and maintain it all, it is clear that online gambling requires a lot of regulation and rules before everyone can be satisfied. In the United States, things are looking up. In Canada, it is somewhat similar but it could still be better. In this article we talk about what the Republicans are saying and what they generally think about online gambling. Furthermore, we explore why things are better in the US than in Canada when online gambling is concerned. If you are a passionate gambler yourself this could be something of use to you. Also, if that is the case, make sure to check out Betiton.com for a great place to play your favorite casino style games on the web.
What do Republicans say?
Generally speaking, The Republican Party has always had something to say about gambling and wagering, especially when it comes to sports and fantasy sports. With actual online gambling however, many of the leading members of the party have not been clear in recent years, well before Trump’s administration and onwards.
Speaking of Donald Trump, he was well known for his Atlantic City casinos decades before he had ever become a major political figure. One of the biggest supporters of the Republican Party was Sheldon Adelson, a billionaire and a casino mogul who has already spent hundreds of millions of dollars for Republican campaigns during election time. It was said that Adelson was not in favor of online gambling, but Trump was inclined to go the other way, supporting internet-based gambling. All the way in 2011 Trump said that online gambling hast to happen because most other countries are doing it without any issue, which means the US is missing out. Trump is probably of the same opinion to this day.
Ben Carson has been quite regarding online gambling for most of this time in the spotlight. He would probably not outright ban it though, but leave it up to the states to figure it out on the state level. On the other hand, the same could not be said for Marco Rubio, one of Adelson’s favorites. His moves suggest that he would ban certain gambling operations, one of which is the online variety. But who is to say, as he has also been vocal about cutting out online poker from the Restoration of America’s Wire Act (RAWA).
Jeb Bush has had many quotes on gambling which suggest he is against it. However, he has come off his anti-gambling positions somewhat before. He does not support the RAWA and it seems like he is one of the Republicans who definitely oppose fully legalized online gambling and online casinos. Ted Cruz however should never be expected to support bills like RAWA as he is about protecting the rights of the states. Cruz is definitely against any form of online gambling. Rand Paul on the other hand firmly believes that online gambling should not have any restrictions. He is definitely not one to target online gambling as he seems to be staying away both from RAWA and Adelson.
What about Canada?
Now that we have talked in detail about the Republicans and their most notable members’ views on online gambling, let us shift north of the border and into Canada. Is the situation there better than the US and if so, how? If not, why not? To put it in the simplest of terms, it is illegal to operate online casinos in Canada without a proper license. While Canadians can play at offshore online casinos, the situation with those operating from their own country is different.
As a Canadian, one can plat at online casinos without legal risks either for fun or as a part-time job to make extra money from. Canadians have never been prosecuted for playing online casino games like poker, or even betting on sports. The thing that is absolutely illegal and problematic is operating online casinos without a license and basing then in Canada. All of the online casinos Canadians can bet on are foreign and offshore. The winnings are not taxable unless the gambling activity is viewed as employment based upon the skills, frequency, and payout expectations. For those playing for fun and as a hobby there are no taxes. Gambling at online casinos is not criminalized under the Criminal Code of Canada.
The most significant development in the entire country when it comes to online gambling happened on April 4th, 2024, when Ontario legalized online gambling. While playing at offshore online casinos is still present, Ontario citizens can now also play at local casinos that have finally been legalized. This is similar to what the US is doing with their states where they allow them to make their own rules regarding online gambling. The biggest difference between Canada and the US is the fact that offshore online casinos are targeted in the US by the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006. This prohibits payment processors like banks from making transactions with any offshore gambling service.
In summation, Canada can be said to be a grey market where online gambling websites are neither legal nor outlawed. The US is however still a black market with most online gambling being outlawed, except for Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan where online casino games are legalized.