Since its inception in the early 90s, iGaming has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry. If you do not understand what iGaming is, here’s a quick expose: it is a general term for all forms of online gambling. Essentially, iGaming entails all activities that involve players wagering money on a game or the outcome of an event. Several groundbreaking achievements have brought the gambling industry this far, such as when Microgaming designed the first complete gambling program in 1994 and the release of the first branded online casino worldwide, Intercasino in 1995. Now, players can access top-quality games on the best Canadian online casino sites. This review articulates essential facts you should know about iGaming.
What Is iGaming?
iGaming refers to any form of online betting where the punter places wagers on the result of an event or a game. Whether casino gaming, sports betting, virtual sports, or poker, they are all classified under this umbrella term. The online gambling market makes an estimated $66.7 billion yearly worldwide and boasts the potential to rise significantly with the further establishment of iGaming in the different provinces of Canada. Several online casino sites are opening soon in Ontario, the most populous province with a collection of the latest games comprising online slots Canada, table games, and live dealer titles. You will understand more about iGaming as you read along.
The Current State of iGaming
The legality of iGaming depends on which country you find yourself in. While some have lax and lenient laws, others are vehement in their stand against online gambling. However, even within countries, there are different legal betting options in the various regions. For instance, while iGaming casinos are the commonest in some parts of Canada, others boast a richer stock of sports betting platforms. It is only recently that Canada relaxed its laws and began establishing a gambling market with lots of websites offering casino games and sports bets majorly. This has led to a significant increase in the revenue generated by the country from online gambling. The privately-owned Ontario iGaming market was launched on April 4th,2022.
What Are the Top Awards in the iGaming Industry?
Top software providers dedicate lots of resources to breaking new grounds in the world of iGaming while promoting responsible gambling. Therefore, a few of the iGaming bigwigs recognize their contributions with prestigious awards yearly. Some of the top awards include the following:
SBC Awards
Though the SBC Awards started as recently as 2013, it has become one of the most prized in the industry. It is organized by Sports Betting Community, the largest iGaming news portal in the UK and the US, to acknowledge the contributions of every sector within the iGaming industry. The award boasts 43 categories with fourteen for operators, three for affiliates, twenty for suppliers, two for specialists, and four for payment providers.
Europe Gaming Awards (SiGMA)
The Europe Gaming Awards is organized by Sigma, one of the largest gaming festivals worldwide and takes place in Malta. It acknowledges the efforts of individuals and organizations in crafting creative projects to shape the iGaming industry in Malta and Europe.
EGR Operator Awards
This is an award given by EGR Global, a renowned portal offering exclusive gambling content. As a platform, EGR connects lots of influential figures on the iGaming scene. The EGR Operator Awards, the Oscars of gambling awards, feature over 30 different categories, including popular ones like Rising Star, Affiliate of the Year, and Operator of the Year.
Malta iGaming Excellence
Malta iGaming Excellence Awards is a top-rated event in the online gambling industry. It is popularly called MiGEA and celebrates those who have brought innovative changes to the iGaming sector in Malta.
iGB Affiliate Awards
iGB Affiliate is a business known for publishing a bi-monthly editorial magazine in the United Kingdom. They host an event to honor people and companies that have boosted the growth of the industry through innovative ideas. A few of their categories include the Best website across poker, sports betting, casino, bingo, and lottery games; and Best Affiliate Program, Manager, or Website.
International Gaming Awards
This is the oldest award in the iGaming industry and was launched in 2008 by Infinity Gaming. The International Gaming Awards recognize gambling businesses that have made significant strides in the industry. It is hosted yearly in London with a 14-member jury panel to decide who wins the various awards. The jury entails eight CEOs of development companies and six IGA employees.
Choose Your iGaming Software Provider Carefully
Players can access hundreds to thousands of iGaming options, including online casinos, sports betting sites Canada, virtual sports, and more. However, it is essential to assess the quality of casino online slots and other titles supplied by your game provider. While you will find several top-notch software, many others boast poor visuals and audio quality. Therefore, we suggest that you follow these tips to make the ideal choice:
· Always check for the availability of a valid gambling license.
· Read plenty of reviews online with feedback from past customers.
· Check the security features used by the software provider.
· Assess the number of payment methods available for deposits and withdrawals.
· Read the terms and conditions of all bonus offers before claiming them.
iGaming Is Growing Fast in Canada
Since the launch of the private iGaming market in April 2022, the Canadian gambling landscape has been experiencing rapid changes. This market is regulated by two bodies, iGaming Ontario and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Being the most populous province, the new privately-owned sportsbooks are opening first in Ontario. Subsequently, this will spread across Canada to other provinces, such as British Columbia, Quebec, and Alberta. The growth of iGaming in Canada has undoubtedly been phenomenal since the gambling laws were relaxed. What’s more exciting is that this is just beginning.
Conclusion
There has been a recent boom in the iGaming market in Canada and several countries worldwide due to the revised gambling laws. Our guide contains information about what iGaming is, the state of the industry, and awards given to the best companies yearly. If you are new to online casino gaming, here is a perfect piece to get you started.
