Canada's largest and richest industries, including the gambling industry

In Canada, as well as in many other countries, the mining industry plays a significant role. In the year 2021 alone the Canadian mining industry accounted for 9% of all Canadian exports and was responsible for generating more than $60 billion worth of GDP per year. Despite being a major economic force in Canada, there is also an ongoing debate surrounding the social and environmental consequences of mining.

Gold Mining in Canada

Mining accounts for 16% of all recoverable metal production in Canada. Gold mining specifically provides over one third of all metal produced in the country and is responsible for 7% of Canada's GDP.

However, not all mining activities generate a positive economic impact for the surrounding communities. In many cases, mines are opened well before jobs numbers or long-term infrastructure can catch up to deal with accompanying population growth. This has caused tension in many Canadian communities, where mines have been developed without consideration for local needs. While the jobs created are generally considered to be well-paid and stable, residents often do not agree with the way that mine projects are developed.

The Mining Process

Mining is a process which typically begins with removing surface vegetation to expose deposits, followed by excavation of the resource in question. Most mines are regulated by governments to ensure that they are operated safely and environmental concerns are addressed. After mining is completed, companies often will return sites to their previous state or restore them for other uses. However, abandoned mines can cause long-term damage to surrounding ecosystems due to acid mine drainage (AMD) and metal leaching to groundwater.

Mining as an Economic Force in Canada

Despite ongoing concerns about the environmental and social effects of mining operations, the industry continues to be a major economic force in Canada. In 2014, Canadian mining companies accounted for $64 billion worth of revenue and the oil sands contributed nearly $100 billion worth of GDP to the Canadian economy.

Industry stakeholders are working with local communities to develop new strategies for development of mining projects, including community consultation during project planning stages, support for public infrastructure improvements and economic diversification initiatives.

The gambling industry: 10 years ago and now

In Ontario, people can legally gamble at online casinos such as Canadian Jet Casino. However this has not always been the case. Only in 2005 did an act come into force which allowed for the licensing of online gambling companies to operate legally within the country. Before this time, if people wanted to play games they would have had to do so in a Casino somewhere in Ontario.

Around 2008/2009 however, there were big changes in online gambling regulation in Canada. In June 2009, the Federal government passed a law which dealt with online casinos. This law was called An Act to amend the Criminal Code (unlawful gambling) and it meant that things were going to change for Canadian players, operators and regulators .

The new Law created a specific section in the Criminal code for dealing with online gambling. The key point in the new Law was section 201 which stated that offering online gambling services to people in Canada is illegal unless you are properly licensed. This meant that any businesses, even if they were based outside of Canada, had to receive a license from the government before they could operate legally .

Since then, there has also been an amendment made to the Canadian Criminal Code to include section 202.3 which deals with the 'proximity principle' . This law states that any online casino can now be prosecuted in Canada as long as it is being viewed by a Canadian resident. So if you are not based in Canada but you are providing services to people who live there, then you could be charged under this amendment.

This change in the law has meant that several online casinos have been shut down. In 2014, a Canadian court ordered Kindred Group to pay CAD 37 million (€21 million) which it had won from players of its casino Unibet . The company was accused of breaching Canadian gambling laws by offering services to Canadians without the correct licenses. A similar case was also won against the Bodog group .

In 2012, a new Canadian bill was brought into force which had a specific focus on online casino and poker games. This bill is known as Bill C-31 and it deals with both of these issues specifically. It means that any company who wants to operate an international online casino or poker game must have a license from the Kahnawake Gaming Commission , which is an agency that is run by the Mohawks of Canada.

This Bill has not changed much in relation to legality, but it gives more protection to players. This is because operators are now forced to tell players what percentage of their money they will be refunded if they win a cash prize.

These laws have helped to shape the current online gambling market in Canada and they continue to be improved as time goes on . It is now much safer for players who wish to gamble within Canada, as they know that any casino offering services must be licensed by the government. At this moment in time there are only a handful of licensed Canadian casinos so it is difficult to see how this industry will develop in the future.

Since Canada has quite strict laws surrounding online casinos it is likely going forward that this will become an increasing area of interest for Canadian companies. It is possible that any business hoping to operate in this area will have to follow the same rules as those that are already licensed or they could face legal issues.

The fact that Canada has introduced these laws means that it is now much easier for players within the country to gamble online because there are minimal restrictions surrounding the activity. This is now a popular area for Canadian online casinos, as they can now offer their services to those who want them from home without breaking any laws.

It is likely that Canada's best online casinos will look for ways to use online technology to their advantage and provide a great alternative for most Canadian gamblers. Expect to see many changes in the future.