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5 Stunning Places in Canada You Must Visit

Canada is a country blessed with incredible natural beauty. From its rugged mountains to its serene lakes, there’s something for every nature lover. Whether you’re a tourist or a local, exploring Canada’s breathtaking landscapes is a must. Well, if you want to experience Canada from the comfort of your home, then check out Playamo casino in Canada. Here are the five most beautiful places in Canada that you should add to your travel list.

1.Banff National Park, Alberta

For fans of nature, Alberta’s Banff National Park looks like a dream that has come to life. Situated in the center of the Rockies, the park boasts of arrays of snow clutching mountaintops, crystal clear water bodies and forests.Especially known and obligatory for visitors, the waters of Lake Louise are bright turquoise.

If you are an enthusiast of hiking or skiing or just want to enjoy the views of the stunning wild, Banff has this and much more to offer. The sulfur water of the Banff Hot Springs would be ideal for a bath and the Banff Gondola for a bird’s eye view of the country. If one has the chance to visit the park in summer, Banff is surely an unforgettable one.

2. Niagara Falls, Ontario

Niagara Falls as one of the unique natural sights of Canada deserves special attention and admiration. The forces of the waterfalls ‘amaze’ the visitors by falling whereas others remain motionless. The area can be viewed from several observation points or you can have a closer look by taking a boat tour in one of the most spectacular attractions known as the “Maid of the Mist”.

For the other tourists who would desire more fun, the Clifton Hill neighborhood provides food, shops, and fun. That is why people interested in adventures or just a relaxing time will always find something to do in Niagara Falls.

3. Quebec City, Quebec

Quebec City is one of the most fascinating destinations, and it looks like a European city in Canada. Lively with its winding cobbled streets, architectural beauty, and year-round entertainment, it’s a city you don’t want to miss out on. The magnificent Château Frontenac is easy on the eye t as are other structures in Old Quebec which presents the appearance of a town that has been preserved in time.

You will also get good meals here, French and other Quebec cuisine, and even poutine. On the other hand, it has been described as great in winter for the Quebec Winter Carnival, or in the summer for wonderful garden strolls and café. Quebec City is an ideal place that combines historical experience and contemporary lifestyle.

4. Jasper National Park, Alberta

Another spectacular showpiece in the Canadian Rockies is Jasper National Park. There are a lot less tourists than in Banff but I have to say the scenery of Jasper is just as stunning. This park echoes some of the most beautiful glaciers, the Alps greenish-blue lakes, and a wealth of wildlife. For something a little more unusual, Jasper is a Dark Sky Preserve outlook so perfect if you’re into your star gazing.

5. Prince Edward Island

Hence the shores of Prince Edward Island (PEI) is the best destination for those in search of a quiet time on the island. Famous for the rolling green hills, red sandy beaches and beautiful little lighthouses, PEI looks like it has come straight out of a postcard. The bicycles can be used to tour the island which offers spectacular views of the coast via car.

For those who have a passion for literature we recommend that you should pay a visit to Green Gables, the home of Anne of Green Gables. Guernsey ‘s seafood is also amazing and people should not miss the lobster and mussels that are normally harvested from the sea. PEI is indeed a small and beautiful island, the kind of which we need to run away from the growing hustle and bustle of life.

Conclusion

As much as Canada is known for its scenic view; it has many beautiful sights that can suit anyone’s interest including;nature, and history among others. This scrumptious list of tourist attractions includes but is not limited to Banff National Park, Niagara Falls, Quebec City, Jasper National Park, and Prince Edward Island. Regardless of whether you are an international tourist or a citizen who has decided to pay attention to the picturesque places in your country, these must-see places deserve attention.

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The Canadian Online Casino Market: Overview for 2024

The online casino industry in Canada continues to show remarkable growth and has managed to entice both players and analysts. Certain provinces underwent policy changes that have successfully attracted the digital gambling business outside of the Great White North. Some of these brands are a list of best online casinos in Canada, and they are a go-to choice for thousands of gamblers. You can read in-depth reviews to find out what top-rated operators have in store in terms of games, bonuses, and other relevant features for Canadian players.

The policies that allowed foreign brands to enter the Canadian market were approved in 2022. Now that enough time has passed let’s see what is the situation on the online gambling front and talk about some key players.  

Market Size

The growth of the Canadian casino market has been nothing short of spectacular. The data from the Canadian Gaming Association revealed that in 2024, almost 20 million people (50% of the Canadian population) have gambled at an online casino at least once. It is a significant ramp up in activity compared to 2020 when approximately 10 million players used internet gambling sites. In other words, the market is growing very actively, and some estimates claim the number of active players will surpass 30 million by 2029.

To put these numbers into perspective, let’s see how these numbers impact the revenue. By 2024, the online casino gross gaming revenue of Canada is projected to be more than $2 billion, up from $750 million in 2020.

Regulatory Landscape

The legal status of online casinos in Canada is determined by local governments. Despite federal provisions contained in the Criminal Code, individual provinces are free to regulate and license gambling. This has resulted in a situation where some provinces are more liberal with legislation compared to others. What’s more, certain provincial regulators even run their own gambling sites.

The most populous province in Canada, Ontario has led the way in the regulation of online gambling. In April 2022, they opened the doors to private offshore brands, so long as they are compliant with iGaming Ontario. The move has resulted in earrings around $1.26 billion by the end of March 2023. Other provinces have been observing this development and it has created a benchmark for future regulation of the industry throughout the country.

Economic Impact

The economic effect of online casinos in Canada has had an upward trajectory. Tax revenues from internet casinos are projected to reach impressive figures in 2024:

  • The expected online casino GGR of $9 billion and the current GST rate of 5% puts the federal government tax revenues at around $450 million from online casinos.
  • Total collected taxes from internet casinos in Ontario are estimated at $1.2 billion, depending on the provincial tax rate and gaming activities.
  • Jobs are another social-economic advantage of online casino business. The industry is projected to generate over 25,000 direct employment opportunities in 2024; a notable increase from 2021 when that figure was 15, 000. Some examples of these jobs include software development, customer support agents, marketing and data analysis.

Key Players in the Market

In Canada, online gambling is regulated by provinces and each province has its own government-run operators. Here is a list of some state-owned gaming sites by province:

  1. British Columbia
    • PlayNow.com: Currently managed by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, PlayNow.com delivers online casino games, sports betting, and lottery.
  2. Manitoba
    • PlayNow.com: Similarly, through BCLC, the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corporation (MLLC) employs PlayNow.com to offer online gambling to the people of Manitoba.
  3. Ontario
    • OLG.ca: Online gambling in Ontario is run under the OLG, which runs a site OLG.ca where people can play casino games, buy tickets, and bet on sports.
  4. Quebec
    • Loto-Québec is the provincial regulator that also hosts online casino games, sports betting, poker, and lottery. In 2022-2023, 13.5% (almost $404M) of their total revenue came from online products.

iGaming Ontario or iGO is an affiliated company of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario tasked to regulate and oversee online gaming in Canada. The body works with private operators to offer a regulated gaming network. 

Some of the key iGaming Ontario operators include:

  • BetMGM
  • DraftKings
  • FanDuel
  • PointsBet
  • 888 Holdings

These operators are affiliated with iGaming Ontario, which guarantees access to a secure gambling platform.

Player Preferences and Popular Games

Canadian players have also exhibited a relative preference for casino games. According to recent data from iGaming Ontario, for the period from April 1 to June 30, 2024:

  • Casino games like slots, live, computer-based table games, and peer-to-peer bingo, represented 84% (nearly $15.5 billion) of total wagering handle and 73% ($529 million) of gaming revenues.
  • Esports and novelty bets along with regular and proposition bets contributed 14% of the total wagers, and they were worth $2.5 billion. This roughly translates to a gaming revenue of $181 million. 
  • Peer-to-peer poker, according to stats from iGaming Ontario, generated $67 million in gaming revenue (2023-2024), and the value of wagers placed exceeds $1.6 billion. Many players participate in multiple online tournaments simultaneously, so getting the accurate number of active players is rather difficult. 

Future Outlook

The future of the Canadian online casino market looks promising, with several factors driving continued growth:

  • Expanding player base: According to estimates on Statista, the number of active users will reach nearly 34 million by 2029. The current user penetration rate is 69.4%, mainly thanks to the high accessibility of online gambling and macroeconomic factors. Casino entertainment is widely available through smartphones, and Canadians have enough disposable income (USD 34 421 a year per capita) to spend on this leisure. 
  • Technological advancements. The combination of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in online casino games could revolutionize the players’ experience. Not to mention, AR is considered to be one of the top investments in the future, which is why most casinos are starting to add it to their portfolio. 
  • Regulatory evolution. The reality is this industry is still new, so there’s a lot of back and forth on the regulatory front. Generally, if online gambling is fully legal (casinos and sportsbooks are permitted) the regulations only get tighter from that point onward. There are new restrictions on advertising, game features, spending limits, etc. Also, fees that businesses pay to cover the social costs of gambling tend to get higher.
  • Crypto integrations. Even though cryptocurrencies aren’t legal tender in Canada, they can still be purchased legally. There are several crypto trading businesses that are authorized to exchange currency in Canada, which means these digital coins are readily available. As a result, we will likely see more gambling sites with crypto integrations that Canadians can use.  

Market estimations show that the Canadian online casino industry has the potential to record a CAGR of approximately 6.5% in the next five years and it may reach $3.7 billion by 2025.

It wasn’t long ago that the Canadian online casino market was viewed as nothing more than a gamble. But now it is a major player in the country’s digital economy. From the prairies to the coast, Canadians are going online, placing their bets, and contributing to the growth of a new and fast-growing sector.

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Revisiting Boris Birshtein’s Efforts to Save a Holy Torah

Boris Birshtein had not been previously associated with saving Torah scrolls. He was a businessman. However this story will show an amazing tale that must be read in order to be believed.

The Torah, known as the five books of Moses, is the holiest object in Judaism. But in the case of the Torah scrolls found in a ravaged synagogue in Chișinău, Moldova, there is an added layer of significance due to their incredible survival story. And Boris Birshtein provided a helping hand.

Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum recalls the emotional moment when he first encountered these sacred scrolls shortly after Moldova’s independence from the Soviet Union. “When we arrived at the devastated synagogue in Chișinău, we discovered about thirty Torah scrolls, some inscribed with messages that spoke of their miraculous survival during the Holocaust.”

The scrolls, eventually saved by businessman Boris Birshtein, were inscribed with symbols of faith, echoed the resilience of the Jewish people. Rabbi Greenbaum describes one scroll bearing the message, “Joy is the happiness of the soul,” symbolizing the enduring joy of the Torah even amid unimaginable adversity.

For the Chișinău Jewish community, the discovery was bittersweet. The scrolls were found, but their condition revealed the toll of years of neglect. Recognizing the need for a large-scale restoration, the community knew who could help. Enter a Jewish businessman known as Boris Birshtein.

The Role of Boris Birshtein

They turned to Boris Joseph Birshtein, a Jewish-Lithuanian philanthropist and respected business leader in Moldova, to help bring these scrolls to safety. He played a critical role in securing permission from the Moldovan government, enabling the scrolls to be transported from Chișinău to Tel Aviv for restoration.

Reflecting on this mission, Birshtein stated, “The Nazis sought to destroy the very existence of the Torah, and everything it stood for. When I learned of the scrolls in the deserted Chișinău synagogue, restoring them was an opportunity to stand up to the attempt to eradicate Jewish life from the heart of Moldova.”

He envisioned the restoration as a chance to honor the joyous occasions once celebrated around each Torah scroll, representing not only preservation but also a revival of Jewish history and tradition.

Celebrating the Completion of Restoration

After years of meticulous work, the restoration project was completed in December 1996, culminating in an emotional ceremony held at the Nehora Yeshiva, “Lev Ya’akov,” in Mevaseret Zion.

This amazing event, filled with reverence and pride, attracted many, including respected rabbis and public figures. Birshtein had the honor of presenting one of these precious scrolls to the yeshiva, a gift that symbolized the dedication of many to safeguarding Jewish heritage.

In his speech accepting the Torah, Rabbi Greenbaum praised the partnership between people like Birshtein, who support the Torah, and the Chișinău community.

He likened this partnership to the biblical figures Zebulun and Issachar, expressing deep gratitude for Birshtein’s involvement. Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, former Chief Rabbi of Israel and a survivor of Buchenwald, also spoke, emphasizing the significance of the mitzvah “Write this song for yourselves,” which resonates deeply with the yeshiva’s students.

This momentous occasion at Nehora Yeshiva marked not only a new chapter in the life of the institution but also a tribute to the Jewish communities that had originally cherished these scrolls.

Birshtein reflected, saying, “I am honored to have played a small role in bringing the sacred Torah scrolls from Chișinău to Tel Aviv for restoration, and delighted that one of them will now be cherished at the Nehora Yeshiva. Indeed, joy is in the happiness of the soul, and my soul is filled with happiness at this moment.”

The journey of these Torah scrolls—from war-torn Europe to restoration in Tel Aviv—highlights the enduring power of faith and community and the unbreakable link between the Torah and the Jewish people.

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