Chronicles of Chance

Exploring the profound history of gambling houses, frontier saloons, and the evolution of gaming law in Canada.

Featured Monograph

From Total Ban to State Monopoly: The Evolution of Canadian Gambling Laws

How Canada went from a complete criminal ban on gambling in 1892 to a modern system of provincial regulation, Olympic lotteries, and a unique approach to using gaming revenues for the public good.

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1892

First Criminal Code

1969

Lottery Legalization

3,200+

Slots in Montreal

Historical Eras

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The Gold Rush

Frontier saloons and early gaming halls of the Klondike.

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The Legal Shift

From total ban to provincial monopolies.

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The Digital Age

The 1994 Keno scandal and the rise of mobile gaming.

Visual Archives

Rare photographs and illustrations from our collection.

Preserving the Past

Valtorianet is an independent historical archive dedicated to documenting the evolution of gaming in Canada. We believe that the history of gaming is inextricably linked to the history of the nation itself.

Meet the Curators