Gambling can be a great pastime for adults but a very serious risk for children who are unaware of the dangers of engaging in these types of activities and should not be exposed to them. Although games of chance are not designed with children in mind since they are not the targeted demographic, this is something they’ll inevitably hear about since it’s become such a widespread phenomenon, particularly following the advent of online gambling. In countries like Canada, relaxed laws around gambling have led to an influx of casino websites, especially in provinces like Ontario. The large number of trusted Ontario online casinos and betting sites available is great news for gambling enthusiasts in Ontario, but not such great news for concerned parents who want to keep their children safe from the risks posed by gambling platforms.
One of parents’ worst fears is that they won’t be able to protect their kids from external threats since they can’t control everything their children do. This includes the possibility that their children might come across online casino sites unintentionally and won’t know what to make of them. The likelihood of them finding out about gambling at an early age and being tempted to give it a try is considerably higher if one of their family members is a regular at online casinos.
Fortunately, when it comes to online casinos in Ontario, you don’t have to worry that your kid might get lured into gambling by flashy ads and start placing bets without you knowing. Canada applies stringent gambling regulations that guarantee Ontario casino sites are safe and don’t represent a risk to children. Besides, there are other measures you can take as a parent to ensure your kids are safe while navigating the online landscape.
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Ontario leads the charge in online gambling in Canada
Canada is known as one of the most tolerant countries when it comes to gambling activities, with a thriving gambling industry estimated at 14.2 billion U.S. dollars as of January 2024. Apart from traditional gambling venues being extremely popular all across the country, Canada also has a very vibrant online casino scene.
While other countries are yet to embrace online gambling or lack regulatory clarity in this respect, Canada has been a forerunner in this space, making regulated digital gambling services available to its residents for years.
The threshold was crossed in April 2022 when Ontario became the first province in Canada to legalize online gambling and sports. This paved the path to a flourishing iGaming market that attracted almost $35.6 billion in total wagers and brought in an estimated $1.4 billion in revenue the following year, turning Ontario into the fifth-largest online gambling industry in North America.
While the popularity that Ontario online casino sites enjoy at the moment offers numerous opportunities for those who want to find reliable gaming platforms where they can play their favorite games, it can also be seen as a potential hazard by parents concerned with their children’s safety.
Strict regulations for Ontario casinos
Just because Canada has legalized gambling in almost all its forms and has very lenient laws in this respect doesn’t mean gambling providers and bettors can do as they please. On the contrary, the launch of online gambling in Canada came with very stringent regulations meant to promote responsible gambling and guarantee a safe experience for everyone.
Every casino site in Ontario is required by law to follow certain standards and employ a variety of safeguards in order to obtain a license and deliver reliable services to clients. Some of the rules in place are specifically targeted at ensuring children are kept safe and can’t gain access to virtual gambling platforms.
Just like traditional casinos, online gambling activities in Canada are regulated by regional agencies, with each of the country’s ten provinces and three territories having its own laws in this regard. In Ontario’s case, the provincial government enacted the Ontario Gaming Control Act, which stipulates that online casinos in Ontario have to get licenses from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) in order to operate lawfully.
Keeping Ontario online casinos out of children’s reach
To ensure children are safe and don’t get into trouble, Ontario regulators impose a series of rules and regulations that both providers and players have to comply with. The rules clearly specify that it is strictly prohibited for anyone under the age of 19 to bet on sports or engage in any form of online gambling in Ontario’s territory.
However, these regulations wouldn’t offer much protection for children without clear measures that can restrict their access to online gambling venues. Gaming establishments that want to enter the market or keep their licenses have to implement protocols and practices to prevent minors from entering their platforms and placing bets. To this end, online casinos in Ontario employ thorough KYC and age verification procedures and establish strict underage gambling prevention guidelines.
This limits access to these platforms and helps stop underage gambling, ensuring compliance with applicable gambling regulations in Ontario. By prioritizing responsible gambling and children’s safety, these platforms can effectively mitigate the potential negative impacts of online gambling on children and teens and create a safe and enjoyable gaming environment for players.
Additional measures to ensure kid’s safety
Although local gambling regulations and having Ontario casinos adopt a zero-tolerance attitude to underage betting should be enough to keep children away from these activities, there are other solutions and resources you can use to proactively remove or inhibit your kids’ access to gambling sites.
Gambling blocking software can be extremely helpful as these tools are specifically designed to shield children from online gambling. With the widespread use of smartphones by children of increasingly younger ages, one can never be too careful about online hazards. So, if your kid has a phone and you want to enjoy peace of mind, these tools can be a real game-changer.
The online gambling market in Ontario is filled with both opportunities and challenges, but children’s safety should always be top of mind, no matter what.
