How slot machines work to spin out wins and losses to players.
All slot machines are not created equal. This we know. The oldest games were built with mechanical drums, while the newest models are nothing more than big cabinets, with tiny computer chips and fancy LED screens. How they determines wins, losses, and the value of payouts, cannot possibly be the same. But it’s not just a matter of technological advancement that alters they way different machines get the job done. There are actually five different methods in which a slot can determine the results of any spin. We’ll talk about each of these, and how you can tell the difference before you sit down to play.
How Slot Machines Work – In The Old Days…
The oldest slot machines were built with mechanical drums, displaying symbols on physical reels. They were built with a special mechanism that ensured each reel would stop on a random position. This was the earliest form of what we know today as a “random number generator”, or RNG.
Manufacturers knew the probability of a slot machine landing on any possible outcome, because it was a matter of simple math. Multiply the number of reels by the number of symbols to get the number of possible combinations. Multiply the number of reels by the number of a specific symbol to get the number of ways that specific combination can appear. Divide the first result by the second, and you get the probability of that combination appearing. Easy, peasy!
When Computers Took Over – Circa 1980s
About 40 years ago, mechanical slots were replaced by computers. They looked and acted the same on the surface, but a programmed microchip did all the work. Still, it wasn’t much different than the old days. Class III, electronic slots (the ones found in casinos from Las Vegas to Atlantic City) are still powered by an RNG; albeit a more sophisticated one.
These newer slots use a computer program to rotate the numbers in a very, very long algorithm. Those spins are constantly changing, with each nano-second that passes, whether the game is actually being played or not. The moment the spin button is pressed, the RNG halts. The result of that long algorithm tells the machine what symbols to place in each position, with the pay table determining the payout (if any).
Bingo Games that Look Like Slot Machines
Tribal casinos all over North America are famous for their “Class II” slot machines. They look just like the Class III variety at other casinos, the way they spin out results is completely different. You see, most tribal casinos are not legally able to offer “gambling” games, but they can offer “bingo” and “pull tabs”. So, their Class II slots are actually bingo games disguised as slots.
Every time you spin the reels on a Class II slot (a.k.a. Bingo Liner), you’re actually buying a randomized ticket in a bingo game. Once enough slots (bingo) players press spin (buy a ticket), the game automatically draws numbers. If your bingo ticket wins, the slot machine spins out a winning combination equal to the value of the bingo ticket.
Many players never even know that this is happening, because their game just looks like a slot machine. Some are even named and designed to be identical to their most famous Class III cousins. But a bingo liner will always have one distinguishable difference. Somewhere on the screen, usually in a corner, you’ll see your bingo card displayed; winning numbers highlighting as the real game takes place in the background.
Video Lottery Terminals – Spin to Scratch-n-Win
Video lottery terminals, or VLTs as they’re more widely known, are not real slot machines, either. Much like those Class II bingo slots, VLTs are the equivalent of scratch-off lottery tickets. Lottery operators from all over North America – and especially here in Canada (Tap Tix, anyone?) – developed these games to offer slot machines in jurisdictions where gambling is illegal.
Here’s how they work. The computer is packed with pre-programmed, virtual scratch tickets. Each ticket is a winner or loser, with preset prize values on the winners. When you insert your money and spin the reels on a VLT, you are essentially putting your hand in a hat and drawing out one of those tickets. Once scratched, that ticket is removed from the batch. Spin again to draw another ticket. When all tickets in the batch are depleted, a new batch is uploaded.
In this way, the lottery operator is able to control exactly how much money it takes in, and how much it pays out.
Historic Horse Racing Slots – Too Complex to Care?
Whoever came up with this idea was either a genius or a madman. It is the most complicated of all “not rely a slot machine” mechanics. Historical horse racing (HHR) games are a lot like the bingo liner slots described above, except that players essentially get to choose their own card.
So here’s how slot machines work with the historic horse racing variable. Three actual horse races from the past are randomly selected by the machine. Each race contains 10 horses, meaning there are 30 possible horses to choose from. Each race has a win, place and show, so there are 9 possible horses that can win prizes of varying amounts. As you choose horses, and the race plays out, it creates a 30-digit binary number that will look something like this: 101100010000111001001000010001
That binary number determines whether you win a prize, and if so, how much. As the player, you have the option of picking your horses in the race, or having the machine randomly pick for you. If the machine does all the picking, then spits out the results, the experience looks and feels identical to that of a slot machine.
What’s The Difference? Value to Player
On the surface, there’s not much difference at all. Underneath, however, there’s one very important thing that sets these games apart, and that’s the theoretical return to player, or RTP. The higher a game’s RTP, the more likely you are to win; (or more appropriately, the less likely you are to lose).
Land-based class III slot machines (the real ones) can carry an average RTP of anywhere from 88% to 92%, depending where you play. Their online counterparts average 96% RTP. VLTs only pay an average RTP of 88%. Class II bingo slots can pay out as low as 80%. HHRs are impossible to judge, since they’re based on pari-mutuel wagering, but the minimum is generally 80%.
A Question for the Modern Ages: Is Gambling Legal in Canada?
A simple question such as this deserves an equally simple answer. In
today’s modern age, there are many different types of gambling. It
would be easy to convolute the problem with legal jargon and
complicated interpretations of the law, but I promise you, I won’t
do that.
As an avid enthusiast of online gambling, I’ve spent more than
enough time researching the Canadian Criminal Code to
understand its meaning. Fortunately for you, as a career journalist
in the field, I’d like to think I can translate it in a manner that
is as easy as possible to understand.
Q&A: Is Gambling Legal in Canada?
The short answer is, “Yes!”, gambling
is legal here in Canada. However, that is a vague question. There are
many different types of gambling. I have no idea whether you’re
referring to casino gambling, poker games, bingo, sports betting,
horse racing, lotteries, raffles, etc.
Most of these are legal in some capacity, with restrictions. In the following sections, we’ll discuss each type of gambling, and just how legal it is.
Note that all of these laws extend into the online gambling realm, at least to some extent. To be thorough, I’ll give you a brief summary of online gambling laws to start.
Legality of Online Gambling in Canada
Online gambling is legal in Canada. Internet gambling sites come in
two varieties – Provincialand
International. Either way, both are
legal.
Provincial online casinos are only available in B.C., Manitoba,
Ontario and Quebec, and only accept player’s who reside within
their respective borders. International online casinos are located
offshore, regulated by their own jurisdictions.
So long as an offshore operator does not have a physical presence in
Canada (offices or servers on Canadian soil), they are not illegal.
Casino Gambling Laws
Casino games are legal in Canada, so long as they are conducted in a
licensed gaming facility, or with a provincial charity-gaming permit.
There are more than 100 commercial casinos in the country, from
Quebec’s Casino de Montreal, to British Columbia’s Hard
Rock Vancouver. We also have tribal casinos, like the Bear
Claw Casino in Carlyle, Saskatchewan.
Charities are able to host “casino night” events, where table
games like roulette and blackjack can be legally held, so long as the
right permits are obtained from their provincial government.
As for online casino gambling, there are hundreds of legal, reputably
licensed operators in Europe that accept Canadian players.
Poker Gambling
Poker-based card games are also legal in Canada. A commercial casino,
poker room or charity may host poker games, and collect a “rake”
(profit) for doing so, as long as they have the correct license or
permit. Home poker games are legal, as well, but no rake (profit) can
be taken by the host / home owner.
Online poker is also legal, either through provincially or
internationally regulated websites.
Bingo Halls / Charity Bingo
Bingo games are among the most popular forms of game-based fund
raising in the country. Again, with proper permits, bingo games are
perfectly legal. Some Canadian casinos, especially the tribal
variety, are famous for hosting organized bingo games.
Online bingo – same as casino and poker – can be done at
provincial or international gambling sites.
Sports Betting in Canada
Canadian sports betting laws in 2020 are a topic of great import. As
the law stands now, only provincially-run, parlay-style betting is
permitted. It is conducted much like a provincial lottery. In fact,
some provinces actually call it the Sports Lottery; others call it
Pro-Line. In parlay wagering, bettors must select a number of correct
picks from various sporting events, and they must all be correct to
win anything. The payout is high, but the odds are higher.
It is for this reason that so many Canadian sports bettors are
turning to offshore, online sportsbook operators – remember, these
are not illegal in Canada – to place single-event bets. There’s a
strong push in the federal government to pass a single-event sports
betting law, but until that happens – of ever it does – most
sports wagering dollars are flowing offshore.
Horse Race Betting
Horse racing is the oldest form of organized, legal betting in
Canada. There are tracks all over the map, from B.C. to Nova Scotia.
You can place bets at these tracks, at offsite betting locations
across the country, or via online racebooks.
Lotteries & Raffles
The second oldest form of legal gambling are the national and
provincial lottery games. The first drawings were held in 1973 to
help raise money to pay for the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. It
was a huge success, raising $230 million from 1973-76. Lotteries have
been helping to fund government budgets ever since.
Online lotteries are legal in Canada, too. Most of our provinces sell
online lottery tickets to drawings, as well as the scratch off
variety. Tickets for international lotteries can be purchased from
offshore websites.
Raffles are most often held as charitable events; legal with
appropriate permits.
Conclusion & Brief Word on Internet Gambling
By now, you should have more than enough information to answer the
question; Is gambling legal in Canada? However, before I wrap this
up, I have to issue a brief warning about gambling over the internet.
If you do not live in a province where online gambling is locally
regulated – or if you choose to gamble at internationally regulated
websites – please do so with caution. Not all offshore operators
are reputable. Stick to websites that are licensed in major European
iGaming jurisdictions, like Isle of Man, Malta or The UK. They are
held to the strictest standards, and are considered the absolute
safest, most secure operators in the world.
Evaluation and ranking of the most entertaining casino game Twitch
streamers broadcast live.
Over the last few years, Twitch TV has become an internet
game-streaming sensation. YouTube may be the go-to video app
for all other things, but when it comes to live-streaming game
content, there’s no better feed source. Video games, PC games, mass
multi-player online games, internet casino games – if it happens on
a monitor, and there’s a game involved, Twitch is the place to see
it happen in all its action-packed, real-time glory.
Most types of gaming harvest a niche audience. You have your MMO
fans, Nintendo fans, sports fans, etc. Casino gambling also draws a
niche market, but not every casino game is worth your time to view.
With that in mind, today’s plan is to evaluate the most
entertaining Twitch casino games, ranking them in order of viewing
pleasure.
Most Entertaining Casino Game Twitch Streamers
Play
Some players love slot machines above all else. Some are drawn to
more strategy-based games like blackjack and video poker. But when it
comes to watching other people play these games, popular demand is
based more on entertainment value than anything else.
After playing just about every casino game under the sun, and having
seen most of them in live-streaming format, I came up with the
following list of Top 5 Twitch Casino Games to Watch.
#5 Virtual Horse Racing / Sports
This one may surprise you, but I actually found virtual sports games
to be rather entertaining. They transpire quickly, anywhere from
20-60 seconds max, and many times, they come to a climactic
conclusion. Virtual horse racing was my favorite, but you may prefer
whatever sports you enjoy in real life more, like virtual football,
virtual hockey, virtual bowling, etc.
#4 Monopoly Live (Evolution)
This game is exclusive to the Evolution Gaming live casino
platform. Maybe it’s because I loved the board game growing up, or
maybe it’s the creator’s eye-catching 3D graphics, but there’s
something about this game I found truly entertaining. I’d rather
play it myself, but watching it on Twitch was fun too. It’s games
like this one that have Twitch
casino streamers flocking to live casinos.
#3 VIP Blackjack Live
Live blackjack games might sound boring, and to many of you they may
be, but the best Twitch streamers know how to beef up the
anticipation. First and foremost, the broadcaster must have charisma.
Without it, the live stream will royally suck eggs. Secondly, it has
to be a VIP high-roller table. The more money on the hand, the more
interesting it gets. For casual gamers like myself, living
vicariously through the deep-pocketed gambling adventures of others
is the next best thing.
#2 Feature-Rich Slot Machines
Generally I don’t like watching other people play slot machines,
but if you pick the right games, it can be a lot of fun. The theme
has to be fun, of course, with a good number of features in the mix –
something like Microgaming’s Immortal Romance, or Yggdrasil’s
Nitro Circus, should do the trick. These are the games most of us
wish we had the bankroll to auto-spin until the features go wild.
Well, a lot of Twitch streamers have that kind of cash, so why not
enjoy watching them use it? It can be more fun than you might think.
#1 Deal or No Deal Live (Evolution)
Another Evolution Gaming exclusive, this pick was a no-brainer. If
you enjoy the television game show, odds are you’ll love watching
the live casino version just as much. The only difference is that the
TV show players have nothing invested. Twitch streamers are paying
money to play the game. Their genuine excitement over a good pick, or
devastation after a bad one, is just as gripping.
Hands down, this is my top pick for most entertaining casino game
Twitch streamers broadcast. My only disappointment is that not enough
of them do.
Evaluating the best of sports gambling Canada in 2020.
Canada is
recognized for a lot of things, as are its fun-loving people. We’re
known for our amazing maple syrup, our friendliness, our top-notch
healthcare system and, of course, our undying love of sports. Not all
sports, mind you – just the really good ones 😉
We also happen to
make a pretty decent living, with the average full-timer drawing
nearly $27/hr. That leaves a lot of room for extra spending cash
which, for many of us, translates to a friendly wager or two on our
favorite sporting events.
Top Sports Gambling Canada
The Great White North plays host to almost every sport in the world; everything from football and soccer, to baseball and basketball, tennis, rugby, cricket, lacrosse, and racing. Let’s not forget minor sports leagues like bowling, darts, and good old lumberjack games. And who could forget our national treasures, ice hockey and curling? These just make up the obvious ones!
Some are more popular than others, of course. So today, we’ll evaluate the most popular sports in Canada, and the best ways to bet on them. Some of the results in our Top 10 list might surprise you… or not. Either way, here they are.
10. Tennis
There are no grand slam tennis events held here in Canada, but we do enjoy the head-oscillating competitions enough to make “sport” of it. Most punters wager on the outcome of a single match, where it be an exhibition, a preliminary, or a quart-, semi- or finals match. Since current Canadian law doesn’t allow for betting on a single match, you’ll need to join an international online sportsbook to place these wagers.
9. Golf
The PGA Tour Canada – aka Mackenzie Tour, or simply the Canadian Tour – comes to town each summer, touring the nation from British Columbia to Quebec. When it does, it ignites a prideful fire in the sports betting community. While it’s possible to bet on the winner, props are more popular in golf betting, wherein the punter chooses things like the winners nationality, or who will shoot lowest score out of a select group of competitors.
8. Football
Whether it’s
the CFL or NFL, football betting is a big wagering sport in Canada. I
prefer straight-up bets myself, but this is one sport where Pro-Line
parlays get a lot of attention. Visit any lottery retailer in the
nation, pick up a slip, and pick at least three winners to strike the
big prize.
7. Baseball
Baseball isn’t huge in Canada, seeing as we only have one team – the Toronto Blue Jays. However, devout Jay Birds who follow their team tend to follow the rest of them, too – at least enough to know when there’s a good match-up ahead! Straight bets are the most common, but beware – an unexpected change in pitchers is likely to cancel out your wager.
6. UFC
The Ultimate
Fighting Championship (UFC) has grown in popularity all over the
world, and Canada is no exception. This is a sport where straight-up
betting takes the cake, but props are common too, such as number of
rounds, win by submission, etc. You can Pro-Line 3+ matches in a UFC
tournament, or visit an online sportsbook for single-match and prop
bets.
5. Horse Racing
There’s nothing like a day at the races! If you’re going to drop a dime or more on the ponies, you might as well visit the track and enjoy the full experience.
4. Soccer
This may be the
favorite sport of Europe, but we Canadians love it too – so much
that in 2019, we launched the Canadian Premier League. It currently
has just 7 teams, but that’s more than enough for a little Pro-Line
wagering on the side lines!
3. Boxing
For betting fans, boxing can be one of the most entertaining sports. Head to head, man to man, a battle of strength, endurance and sheer will. Like UFC, it’s not just about who will win, but in how many rounds they’ll do it, and whether it will end by points, KO or TKO. This makes boxing a perfect sport for straight-ups and props at online sportsbooks.
2. Basketball
Basketball wasn’t always a Canadian favorite, but since the Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies joined the league in 1995, we’ve slowly gained more interest. Of course, the Raptors’ big win in the 2019 NBA finals didn’t hurt one bit. Now, side action of the court is all the rage. Whether it’s straight bets, big match parlays or playoff futures, basketball has become the second most popular betting sport in the Great White North.
1. Hockey
When it comes to sports gambling, Canada can’t do without ice hockey. It is and will always be our most beloved sport. We play host to 7 of the NHL’s 31 franchise teams, all of whom collectively won the Stanley Cup (post-NHL inception in 1914) a staggering 52 times. Ottawa is the world’s top producer of star hockey players, being the hometown of more than 150 of the NHL’s finest. It’s as if ice hockey is bred into us. For those who don’t play it, we watch it, and many who watch it love a good friendly wager. As for how we bet, anything goes really. We bet on games, seasons, points, spreads, MVP props – you name it, we’ll find a way to bet on it!
Inspired Entertainment to add more slots,
tables and virtual sports games to Quebec online casino.
There’s nothing like a little creative
“inspiration” to provide a boost in customer appreciation. That’s
surely what the marketing engineers over at Loto-Quebec were
thinking when they negotiated a new contract with digital gambling
software group, Inspired Entertainment.
Just hours ago, the provincial gaming regulator
announced they’ve inked a deal with Inspired Ent. to install that
brand’s complete portfolio of slots and table games to the Espacejeux
online casino. Quebec players will have a lot more variety to choose
from once the integration is complete.
Inspired to Install Games for Quebec Online
Casino
It’s been nearly a decade since Loto-Quebec launched its very own internet casino website, Espacejeux. It’s a ring-fenced gambling website, available only to adults physically located within the province. At the onset, International Game Technology (IGT) was the only software brand approved to install games for the iGaming operation, but the portfolio has grown since, with Inspired Entertainment being the latest to get the thumbs up.
Inspired Ent. is a UK-based digital lab founded
in 2002. The company grew slowly at first, but now has more than 600
employees spanning the globe and a portfolio of games licensed and
operational in over 35 jurisdictions. Their latest and greatest
achievement, which was a highlight of February’s ICE 2019 in London,
is a platform they call Plug N Play, and it was surely one of the
biggest selling points for Loto-Quebec when inking a contract to
integrate Inspired’s games.
Inspired Virtual Sports Games
Plug N Play is a collection of virtual
sports on-demand games; or V-Play for short. These
include games like V-Play greyhound racing, world cup soccer, golf,
cricket, tennis, darts, horse racing, and much more.
Equipped with dynamic 3D graphics, the
animation is simply stunning, but as the on-demand description
entails, you won’t have to wait for kick-off, tee-time, or the
starting gun to enjoy the action.
Interactive Slots and Table Games
The company’s portfolio of interactive slot
machines and table games has been growing for years, offering members
of Quebec’s iGaming website to a range of popular titles. Roulette
and blackjack, slots and video poker, all of the usual favorites and
then some.
Inspired Entertainment has even combined its
V-Play virtual sports into all new slot machine titles, like the 1st
Down Slot, which mimics American Football. Players get to choose
their favorite team from a line-up of 8 fictional football teams,
after which the slot machine becomes themed around that team and its
colors.
Finding Equal Inspiration in their New
Partnership
Inspired CEO Brooks Pierce says the integration
on Loto-Quebec was a huge success. “They have been at the forefront
of Canadian gaming and we are delighted to partner with them to offer
Loto-Québec players something unique and different than what they
already have access to.”
Julie Benoît, General Manager of E-Commerce
for Loto-Quebec, is equally excited about the new infusion of slots,
tables and virtual sports games. She sees it as an incentive to draw
in new players, and keep existing ones coming back for fresh
entertainment options.
“The addition of Inspired’s popular casino
titles and a library of fresh on demand and scheduled virtual sports
games boosts our portfolio and allows us to reach a wider audience,”
said Benoît. “We’re excited to see continued growth as a result
of this partnership.”
I often talk about the variety of casino games found in today’s major gambling establishments. Everything from slots and video poker machines, to blackjack, baccarat, roulette, craps and other table games, not to mention keno, bingo, and today’s big-ticket skill-based games slowly invading Atlantic City. One game I don’t believe I’ve ever mentioned before is the Sigma Derby.
We’re not talking about genuine horse race betting. The Sigma Derby
is a mechanical race simulator. It takes place at a massive table
that seats up to 10 players, with 5 figurine horses racing around a
miniature track. The results are random, the payouts are real, and
that one minute of excitement is more than enough to draw beads of
sweat as the mechanical ponies jerk their way ever-closer to the
finish.
How Mechanical Horse Racing Games Work
Sigma Games Inc., based out of Japan, introduced the first
electro-mechancial horse racing game in 1985. Named after their own
company, the Sigma Derby was a big hit out of the gate. The set-up
features 5 horses on an oval track. Each is pulled along from beneath
by individual gear chains. To make the games fair and unpredictable,
each gear runs at a random speed each time it’s initiated.
The only available wagers on Sigma Derby games are “quinellas”, meaning that the player must select two of the five horses to win and place (finish 1st and 2nd). It doesn’t matter which order they win and place in, so long as the two horses selected are the first two to finish. As such, there are only 10 betting options. Eligible quinellas and their respective payouts are as follows:
Much like a slot machine, the probability of the speed being high or
low is predefined, but is determined at the moment the game starts by
the algorithmic density of a random number generator (RNG). Suffice
it to say (and this is only an example), horse #4 may only win or
place in 8 out of 100 races, but no one – not even the manufacturer
– can predict which of those races he will finish.
Horses
Pays
Horses
Pays
#1 + #2
5 to 1
#2 + #4
20 to 1
#1 + #3
39 to 1
#2 + #5
2 to 1
#1 + #4
200 to 1
#3 + #4
160 to 1
#1 + #5
19 to 1
#3 + #5
15 to 1
#2 + #3
4 to 1
#4 + #5
79 to 1
Mechanical Racing Simulator a Dying Breed
The Sigma Derby fell from the grace of casino management many years ago when it was decided that the games just weren’t profitable enough to keep them around. It certainly wasn’t a popularity issue. Everywhere these games existed, the seats were occupied, and almost always at capacity.
So why weren’t they making money? They can’t blame the house edge.
Those horses were providing anywhere from 10-20% edge for the casino.
Players didn’t even care, though. Even knowing how bad the odds were,
the game provided plenty of excitement, at a low enough cost, to keep
the seats filled. And with 10 players participating, wins occurred
often enough to attract more bettors whenever one left the table.
The real problem was that Sigma designed the game to take quarters
only. Players would bring a cup of quarters with them to the derby
game, and could bet anywhere from 1 to 20 coins per race ($0.25 to
$5), but most stuck to one quarter. With 10 players betting 1 coin
per minute, even with a 20% edge, the casinos were only generating
about $2.00 per minute. Removing a game of such considerable size and
replacing it with a bank of slot machines, or a single $5-minimum
blackjack table, could earn them so much more in the same span of
time. So that’s what they did.
At the time of writing, it’s believed that just one Sigma Derby game
remains in North America, occupying a small piece of property on the
second floor of The D Las Vegas. More recent remakes are being
introduced, but they lack the tinny nostalgia – as well as the
cheap betting options and 5-horse build – of the original,
mechanical horse racing games.
Get your horse race betting on at Alberta’s new Century Mile Racino in Edmonton.
The
province of Alberta is geared up for some fine horse racing this year
as the Century Mile Racetrack, Edmonton’s brand new racino,
held its grand opening on Monday, April 1, 2019. It was a unique
choice, as it matches the former grand opening of the company’s
Century Downs in Calgary, inaugurated on April 1, 2015. The
two will share their anniversary celebrations for many years to come.
Ribbon cutting ceremony at Century Mile Racetrack in Leduc County, Alberta, April 1, 2019.
Located
at 4711 Airport Perimeter Rd., near Edmonton International Airport,
Century Mile has historic significance as well. The new facility is
an emblem of the industry’s growth in Canada, being the first
mile-long horse racing track this side of Ontario. Community
and provincial leaders all turned out to share in the festivities
with champagne, honorable speeches, and a grand tour of the Canada
horse racing industry’s newest entertainment complex.
Horse Race Betting & More at Century Mile
Racino
Although
officials aren’t using the term “racino”, that’s exactly
what Century Mile is. A racino is a race track that features casino
games on the side. This new facility fits that bill to the letter. It
features a state-of-the-art, mile-long track, an impressive
grandstand and a capacious casino floor with gaming machines and
tables. Add in a wide selection of F&B options, and you’ve got a
complete entertainment package.
All
told, the 3-story facility spans 89,700 sq.ft. The first floor is
dedicated to casino patrons. It’s equipped with 550 slot machines and
a variety of electronic table games, plus a selection of 14 video
lottery terminals (VLTs). It also features a full restaurant, bar and
lounge area.
The
second floor belongs to the property’s prominent grandstand building.
An extensive betting area is provided for live and simulcast race
fans. Indoor and outdoor seating is available, along with a trio of
private suites, a bar, a grill, and buffet dining.
Up
on the third floor, visitors can enjoy an open patio with excellent
views of the racetrack below – an exquisite option in the summer
months when weather is at its finest.
Alberta, Canada Horse Racing Industry
“Rejuvenating”
Horse
Racing Alberta CEO Kent Verlik is extremely proud of what the
province is doing for the Canadian horse racing industry. At
yesterday’s grand opening celebration, he pointed out that horse
racing generated $300 million for the province in 2015, and is poised
to generate much more now following the launch of two more racetracks
since then.
“We
really believe this industry is rejuvenating, and it’s exciting to be
part of that,” said Verlik.
“The
first horse races took place in Alberta in the 1880s,” he
continues. “We’ve had a proud racing history in and around the city
of Edmonton for the past 118 years.”
Paul
Ryneveld, Managing Director of Century Casinos – the company that
laid the groundwork for Western Canada’s only one-mile track,
featuring one of North America’s longest homestretch distances of
1,280 feet – is equally proud to be a part of the resurgence of
horse race betting across Alberta.
“We
can pursue better races and subsequently better horses over the next
years for the benefit of horse racing and horse racing fans,” he
said on Monday.
Century
Downs in Calgary and the new Century Mile in Edmonton will each
feature thoroughbred, standardbred and quarter-horse racing
throughout the year.
Two decades later, legitimate online casinos firing up a win for all involved.
It’s truly amazing what time can do. It heals wounds, turns playful children into responsible adults, and in the business world, separates the successful from the unfortunate. Without question, time has looked favorably upon the online gambling industry and all who partake in its pleasures. Not just the players, mind you, but the countless people working in the background to provide this seductive form of potentially profitable entertainment.
Twenty years ago, internet casinos struck trepidation in the hearts of many. Were they secure? Honest? Safe? Trustworthy? Would a withdraw of winnings be honored? There were so many uncertainties, and no authorities to turn to if a player’s worst fears were realized.
Did that stop people from playing online slot machines and table games? Absolutely not.
If you build it, they will come…
And come they did! They came in droves, so fast and furious that more and more gambling websites were born. They provided casino games, poker games, bingo games, sports betting, race betting, lottery ticket sales – anything and everything that could be wagered on began appearing on the world wide web.
With the good always comes the bad, and the evil side of the industry did rear its ugly head. For every legitimate online gambling website, ten more rogue operators would appear to capture players and abscond with their deposits. This led to watchdog websites and player-managed review sites, all aimed at pointing new players towards the reputable online gambling options, while exposing the rogues for what they were.
This, of course, wasn’t good enough for the multitude of governments who had stood by idly, watching it all happen. Some lawmakers argued that players needed protection., but they largely went unheard. More argued that prohibition was the only way; criminalize it and it will go away. That didn’t work at all. It wasn’t until legislators began pointing out just how much money their respective tax coffers might hold that more and more governments began listening. And with that, the iGaming industry finally began to blossom into a respectable business.
Legitimate online casinos were a game changer for everyone.
The UK and Canada were among the first adopters of internet gambling regulation. As word of their success spread, others hopped aboard regulatory bandwagon. Now, most jurisdictions either regulate the activity, or are debating legislative action to do so.
The end result is an industry that people can trust. One that began growing at a much more rapid rate, and benefiting absolutely everyone with a hand in it.
For players, it means a readily available source of entertainment, whether from home or in the palm of their hands. Not just entertainment, but a pastime that begets life-changing rewards for the luckiest among them.
Online gambling operators benefit just as land-based casinos do, ensuring their profits through a built-in house edge. But that’s not the end of the line. It goes so much further, literally circling the globe. Online casinos benefit the website developers who bring each operation together. They benefit the multitude of software companies that produce countless, HD-quality games. And what about the IT staff; the customer support reps; the live stdio dealers and developers of superior video and audio equipment that supply web streaming capabilities to them; right down to the custodians that work a thankless night shift to keep all of these offices clean?
When you look at the big picture, the rise of legitimate online casinos has truly been a blessing for so many people. Far more than the big winners who’ve made headlines over the years, like the 71 instant millionaires that have been fortunate enough to strike the progressive jackpot of Microgaming’s Mega Moolah online slot machine since 2006. Those big winners may be the most famous, but all beneficiaries are worthy of praise for making this one of the most successful online industries in existence.
Domestic and foreign tourism is one of Canada’s most lucrative industries. Millions of people travel here each year to see the majestic landscape, natural wonders, historical sites, and so much more. Gambling is also big business in the Great White North, where Canada’s largest casinos attract countless visitors from far and wide.
Today, we’ll be taking a close-up look at the largest casinos and what they have to offer. They span the entire nation, from coast to coast. So, if you’re looking to visit one of these grand gambling halls, you’ll have plenty of major destinations to choose from.
Exploring the 5 Largest Casinos in Canada
#1 Casino de Montreal – Montreal, Quebec
Casino de Montreal (aka Montreal Casino) boasts, by far, the largest casino gaming floor in all of Canada. In fact—although often erroneously overlooked in global surveys—it’s home to the third largest casino in the world, coming in at a staggering 526,488 square feet. Only the 600,000sqft Winstar World Casino (Thackerville, Oklahoma, USA) and 540,000sqft Venetian Macao (Macau, China) are bigger.
That massive floor is teeming with gambling opportunities. There are 3,000 slots, 75 table games, and a 26-table live poker room. Outside of gaming, guests will find four restaurants for dining, and four bars for wetting their whistles. However, there is no hotel on site.
#2 Caesars Windsor – Windsor, Ontario
Situated just across the Detroit River from Michigan, USA, the Caesars Windsor is a part of the global Caesars Entertainment Corp brand of gambling and hospitality properties. That company specializes in doing things on a grand scale. Thus, it’s little wonder Caesars Windsor takes the second place spot with its 100,000 square foot gaming floor.
Caesars Windsor really knows how to pack ’em in, lining the walls and aisles with 2,261 slot machines and video pokers, 74 table games and 14-table poker room. Guests can dine in one of six restaurants, and book accommodations in one of the property’s twin hotel towers—Forum Tower and Augustus Tower—with a combined 758 rooms.
#3 Casino Niagara – Niagara Falls, Ontario
Overlooking Niagara Falls, one of the nation’s most gorgeous natural wonders, is the third largest gambling hall in Canada, Casino Niagara. The gaming floor comes in at 95,000 square feet. In this case, it’s not what’s inside that counts for most visitors. It’s the majestic view outside that draws so many people to this property, where a ‘Fallsview‘ guest room is a must.
Casino Niagara is packed with 1,600 gaming machines, 38 table games, and a 26-table poker room. It also features four restaurants, one bar and the 234-room Crowne Plaza Niagara Falls hotel.
#4 River Rock Casino – Richmond, British Columbia
The River Rock Casino Resort is the largest casino in British Columbia, and fourth largest in Canada. It’s located in Richmond, overlooking the beautiful 144-berth marina along the Fraser River, just south of Vancouver. Its gaming floor spans 70,000 square feet.
Gaming options include 1,110 slots and video poker machines, 99 casino table games, and a rather small 5-table poker room. There are four versatile restaurants and a 4-Diamond hotel with 222 rooms and suites.
#5 River Cree Resort & Casino – Enoch, Alberta
Last, but most certainly not least, is the River Cree Resort and Casino in Enoch, Alberta. Coming it at number five among the largest casinos in Canada, it’s located just west of the Edmonton city limits. River Cree is a Native American casino with a 62,600 square foot gaming floor and lot of extra amenities, including a pair of full-size ice hockey rinks where the Edmonton Oilers have been known to pop in for a practice session.
The casino packs a punch with 1,000 gaming machines, 39 table games and a 12-table poker room. Guests can choose from four dining restaurants and two bars, including the renowned OTB sports bar, Tap 25.
New research forecasts future of desktop & mobile online gambling.
Where would the world be today without dedicated research? We’d have little or no medicine. Genealogists wouldn’t exist (bye-bye Ancestry.com). You wouldn’t be reading this right now, because it took a good bit of research on my part to compose. For businesses and marketing strategists, it would be a game of trial and error.
Internet gambling companies, in particular, rely heavily on research reports to identify trends and take advantage of the latest player-friendly technologies. That’s exactly what Industry Data Analytics (IDA) had in mind when they spent months researching all facets of iGaming growth from 2013-2017. The end result was the composition of an extensive report they call “Global Online Casino Market – Opportunities and Forecast to 2023”.
The study is segmented by game type, region and access technology. Gaming verticals include sports, poker, slots, table games, card games and others. Access technology refers to the preference of desktop/laptop and mobile (smartphone and tablet) devices in accessing the games.
Future of Desktop and Mobile Gambling Online
One of the more interesting findings—at least in my opinion—is the projected growth rate of desktop and mobile gambling online. For many years, internet gaming was exclusive to desktop and laptop computers. The birth of touch-screen mobile technology circa 2007 took nearly a decade to really to catch on. In more recent years we’ve seen a major shift in the desktop-to-mobile ratio of players.
Just last year, mobile gaming finally overtook the top position, beating out the desktop variety. Now, IDA is anticipating both platforms will continue to see a rise in usage over the next few years; albeit notably higher for the mobile segment.
From 2018-2026, IDA predicts the mobile gambling sector to experience CAGR of 16%. As for desktop gaming, a competitive gain of 6% is in the forecast.
Favorite Online Gambling Verticals to Experience Higher Growth
Sports betting is by far the most popular form of wagering in the world. It always has been, and that’s a fact that’s not likely to change anytime in the foreseeable future. If anything, it’s going to grow to astounding heights over the next few years.
IDA’s research indicates a CAGR of 14%, but it doesn’t appear they’ve taken into account the recent reversal of PASPA by the US Supreme Court, providing for legalization of sports betting in all 50 states. Odds are, their data was collected before that critical alteration in US gambling law. Thus, the 14% growth rate of sports betting, despite being the highest on their list, is likely to see far more growth in the forecast period.
The second fastest growing desktop and mobile online gambling vertical will come by way of casino games. The immense popularity of slot machines and consistent innovations among creators of those games will attribute to the inevitable increase. Researchers believe online casino games will rise at a CAGR of 12%.
About Industry Data Analytics
IDA is a dedicated team of in-depth market research analysts who serve a wide variety of industries. Their expertise includes everything from chemicals and pharmaceuticals, to media, technology and eCommerce. With offices in India and the US, their mission is: “To provide quality research reports for client’s decision making process thus helping clients succeed.”
You can learn more about their latest desktop and mobile online gambling research here.
Domestic and foreign tourism is one of Canada’s most lucrative industries. Millions of people travel here each year to see the majestic landscape, natural wonders, historical sites, and so much more. Gambling is also big business in the Great White North, where Canada’s largest casinos attract countless visitors from far and wide.