Casino gaming can be a divisive topic for cities and provinces that have not previously had to regulate and welcome these huge branches of global entertainment and tourism. New casinos can mean several things for a region, and, as with anything, implementation and regulation are key.

New casinos can do wonders for a local economy if implemented correctly, and they provide a thriving tax base. However, if they’re loosely implemented or the regulation is open to interpretation, this can create a vacuum and attract more harmful elements, so it’s essential to strike an appropriate balance.

Battling with the online casino industry

It’s not like the rise of land-based gambling, which helped transform some US cities into gambling Meccas in the 20th century, the online casino industry in its current form provides a whole host of challenges for new casinos in Halifax. This applies at all levels, not just those who run casinos, but also regulators looking to tax and regulate these industries reasonably compared to their digital counterparts.

Online casinos have gained enormous ground in the last 25 years. They’ve done this by commanding a colossal presence in the online entertainment world and offering bonuses that exceed the range and quality of many of their land-based counterparts. This has led to the need of industry experts such as askgamblers.com who comb the internet to provide accurate uptodate information on the multitude of bonuses that are available in Canada, across a huge catalogue of online casinos.

That’s not all, though. Another critical factor is how useful and resourceful the Internet has become in directing customers toward experts who have the necessary experience to rank the best casinos and how their bonuses compare to the rest of the competition in the market. This competition has resulted in traditional casinos having a much tougher sell than before the Internet.

A much-needed economic boost?

Halifax already has a robust and varied tourist sector, so the idea that it needs to rely on entertainment and tourism from land-based casinos isn’t accurate. To be fair to legislators and those who have pushed through this idea, this wasn’t a main selling point they used.

Halifax benefits from being one of the busiest docks in the world. The investment in Georges Island, as well as a raft of other key investments, has showcased that casinos are not the only source of tourism in Halifax. However, the number of Canadians playing at online casinos over the last decade has soared to levels that have become unmanageable and impossible to police.

Regulators have been able to strike a balance by providing regulations and frameworks that companies can follow, thus allowing safe forms of betting, entertainment, and responsible gambling tools that allow those with an issue to seek help.

In addition, it takes power away from international black markets and is a welcome boost to the tax base. Regulators value the tax base and managing customer safety more than having a thriving entertainment and tourist industry emerge from it. However, if this happens, it certainly wouldn’t cause sleepless nights for those who provide regulatory insight.

Allocating more resources

Although casinos bring new jobs and opportunities for locals, they can also attract some of society’s more unfavourable elements. In comparison to some places in Europe that provide gambling games and alcohol on an almost non-stop basis, the regulation in Nova Scotia ensures that gamblers can have fun, but sensibly and within the proper framework.

Even if this framework is watertight and casino companies abide by it, police and resources will be allocated to policing the venues and hotels. Again, places like Nevada have showcased that if this is done correctly, the net positive impact, especially for the provincial tax base, could be significant.

A portion of this tax base should be earmarked to fund charities assisting those who have developed a gambling issue. If you believe you are developing an issue, or you know somebody who is struggling, contact Gamblers Anonymous or search for problem gambling charities in your area so you can speak to an expert on the matter.

Adding variety to the entertainment and tourist industry

Halifax doesn’t just have to compete with the rest of Canada for the lucrative sums of money that pour in from tourism, they’re also up against a global market, including a US market and a growing market in Europe.

For a city or province to stand out internationally, it must have a multifaceted approach to entertainment and tourism. While casinos shouldn’t be the whole selling point, nor should they be used as the only selling point, it’s all about giving people options.

Not everyone feels comfortable playing at an online casino; lots enjoy traditional casinos as part of a trip to relax and unwind. Many people enjoy visiting a traditional casino in conjunction with other forms of entertainment, whether seeing a cabaret show, a stand-up comedian, or a notable music artist.

Ultimately, new casinos give people more choice, and from a tourist perspective, they will bring in millions of extra dollars per year. Given that record numbers of Europeans are no longer seeing the US as a viable tourist destination, we could see the Canadian market experience an unexpected tourist boom.

Conclusion

You only need to look at how grand, luxury casinos have injected life into economies throughout the US and Europe to understand how it’s likely to pan out in Halifax. While Canada is much further behind in the legality of casino gaming, especially compared to countries like the UK, that doesn’t mean it can’t reap the rewards from new land-based casinos that are popping up.

While it might result in a period of adjustment for those who are not used to having casinos crop up in their area, the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation has been overseeing casinos for 30 years; they’re not a brand-new concept like others in some Canadian provinces and US states.

At least from this perspective, plenty of Haligonians will see it as business as usual. As long as these casinos are well-regulated, policed, and properly taxed, they’re unlikely to cause too much of an issue.