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Canadian Online Casino Industry: Laws and Opportunities, Overview of Legal Gambling in Canada

Overview of Legal Gambling in Canada

Canadian laws do not prohibit betting through the internet. However, it requires the service to be licensed or managed by the provincial government to be considered legal. This has not prevented thousands of unlicensed offshore sites from offering their services to Canadians. Ontario is the most populated province in Canada. With this fact in mind, you shouldn’t be surprised by a 2011 poll that found that 82.9 percent of the adults in the province had admitted to accessing real money casino at least once during the year.

Canadian Online Casino Industry: Laws and Opportunities

Canada is one of the few nations in the world with a unique blend of urban modernity and beauty. From the beautiful skyscrapers in Toronto to the frozen tundra of Nunavut, Canada has a lot to brag about. Canadians have applied their national pride to the gambling industry. And the gambling laws and casino offers that ensure that everything runs perfectly.

While other nations swing from one extreme to the other when it comes to gambling, the lawmakers and citizens of Canada have managed to take a balanced approach despite the ease to make money easily. Most of the Canadian gambling laws are flexible. The lawmakers always keep the welfare of the public in mind when creating new laws or making amends.

Today, we are going to provide you with a clear overview of the gambling laws in Canada and the opportunities that you’ll have if you apply them while playing. Like everything else, laws in any nation do change after some time. Therefore, if you are unsure about anything, it’s best to consult your attorney or a government agency before risking too much as a Canadian gambler.

Illegal Gambling

A few years ago, illegal gambling was one of the main domains of organized crime in Canada. And since most gambling forms were outlawed in the country before 1970, these canning individuals had lots of opportunities to trade and make huge profits.

That started to change gradually after 1970 when a couple of illegal gaming activities could be easily accessed by the average citizen. Another major change took place in 1985 where provinces and territories were allowed to oversee gambling activities such as charitable gaming, slots, and lotteries.

As organized crime entities relied on illegal gambling as their main source of revenue, the practice was also adopted by a few tech savvy crooks. These individuals would rig customers and sporting events and avoid paying the taxes. This soon became a huge burden for the city and law enforcement agencies.

The Criminal Code of Canada deals with a wide range of gambling offenses that can be found in sections 201, 202, 206, and 209. Real money online casino Canada gambling offenses were adjusted back in July 2010 and considered serious offenses. A serious offense is indictable under the act of Parliament.

While other serious offenses in Canada carry a maximum of a five-year prison term, gambling-related issues are limited to two years of imprisonment. Other offenses such as keeping a common betting house are limited to six months at most in jail plus a $5000 fine.

Compared to its neighbors, Canada has lenient gambling laws. This is mainly because the leaders and citizens desire a more progressive and reserved nation. Unlike land-based gambling, online gambling in Canada falls into a gray or vague area.

Has any online gambling site ever been prosecuted in Canada? According to casinosapproved.info’s website, law enforcement authorities in Ontario conducted raids, charged nineteen people, and seized at least two million in cash from Platinum Sports Book users. Despite such cases, there are plenty of licensed Canadian online gambling sites that players can access without any worries.

Gambling in Provinces

The nation of Canada is made up of ten provinces which include Ontario, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Alberta, British Colombia, Quebec, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland, and Labrador.

All the provinces are self-governing entities with powers granted to lieutenant governors by the federal government. Any change in this relationship requires amendments in the constitution. Let’s examine the gambling laws in Canada provinces and how they relate to the citizens.

1. Ontario

Ontario is the most populated province in Canada. With this fact in mind, you shouldn’t be surprised by a 2011 poll that found that 82.9 percent of the adults in the province had admitted to accessing real money casino at least once during the year.

If you are interested in joining the party, online gamblers can wager and access their favorite games through the internet. While you can choose from a wide range of betting options, you should ensure that the platform you are using is licensed and regulated by the gambling authorities.

2. Quebec

Since the 1970’s Quebec has been offering legal games to its citizens. The accepted options have gradually grown over the years. If you live in this French-speaking province, some of the accepted gambling options include horse racing, lottery, sports betting, online gambling, charitable gaming, and video lottery terminals.

When it comes to online gambling sites with real money, you are allowed to visit Loopx official site or access any other online gambling site that accepts you including Espacejeux which is government-owned. Quebec government has announced plans to block unlicensed gambling sites that don’t have Loto-Quebec approval.

3. Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is the second-smallest province in Canada and it’s known for fishing and agriculture. 87 percent of the adults gamble at least once per year.

Some of the legal gaming options available include casinos, sports betting, horse racing, video lottery terminals, and online gambling. As for online gambling, the province has no gaming sites of its own. Therefore, residents can access licensed offshore online casino in Canada without any fear.

4. New Brunswick

Although the population of the province is less than a million, residents have several legal gambling activities to choose from. They include horse racing, sports betting, casinos, charitable gaming, and online gambling for real money. Online gamblers can choose from a wide range of offshore casinos. A few years back, New Brunswick openly reported of its idea to launch its casino website.

5. Manitoba

Gambling is allowed in this province and these activities are regulated by the Liquor and Gaming Authority which was established back in 2014. Visitors and residents can enjoy gambling online on the government-owned website.

While you’ll find thousands of unlicensed offshore casinos in this province, it’s best to avoid them. Other forms of gambling allowed include horse racing, lottery, charitable gaming, sports betting and casinos

6. British Colombia

Bri
tish Colombia has been offering its residents gambling opportunities for more than three decades now. As for real money online casino, the only regulated site in British Colombia is Play Now which owned by the Lottery Corporation.

The site contains a wide variety of gambling games which include poker, baccarat, blackjack, and sports betting to name a few.

Conclusion

Canada is a great country with diverse racial, cultural, and religious backgrounds. The same applies to the gambling sector where you’ll find a wide range of options available throughout the provinces. Before playing, always ensure that you’re adhering to the canadian gambling laws.

Gambling Laws in Canada

Unless you’re from the Great White North, you might not consider it Canada to be a gambling mecca. But both land-based and online gambling are in full swing, sanctioned by provincial gambling laws in Canada.

The landscape features nearly 100 casinos, and 38,000 VLTs fill in the gaps. Punters can submit their parlays at lottery retailers or online, and bingo, charity gambling, and homegrown online gambling sites for sports and casino gaming are all on the approved list.

Like many countries, Canada’s gambling laws have some clear-cut provisions, as well as some gray areas left to interpretation. So, we’ll do our best to demystify the situation.

We’ll touch on some game-changing judicial decisions too. As Canadian gambling legislation is now in the provinces’ hands, you’ll soon see what each has to offer and the specific Canada gaming laws in play.

4 Pivotal Years for Canada’s Gambling Laws

If you look at the history books relating to legal gambling expansion throughout Canada, they focus on 1892, 1969, and 1985. But we’re going to add 1976 to the list as well.

1892 – The Criminal Code outlaws gambling under the section “Offenses against religion, morals, and public conveniences”

1969 – The Criminal Code was initially altered to allow for lotteries that raised funds for worthwhile causes

1976 – Sports lotteries were introduced

1985 – The federal government turned control over to the provinces for gambling activities, including lotteries and lottery schemes, which cover computer, video devices, slot machines, and horse racing wagering over the phone

The Criminal Code was the be-all, end-all of Canadian gambling legislation for decades. The 1969 move to approve lotteries got the ball rolling in the other direction.

We include 1976 because sports lotteries have been a mainstay in the country since then. Although betting is exclusively parlay-based, players have plenty of access through provincial-governed programs that extend to retail locations and, now, online betting as well.

1985 took Canada’s gambling and online gambling laws to a new level. Although the first gambling venue, Diamond Tooth Gertie’s, popped up in Yukon Territory in 1971, the post-1985 era prompted the casino boom.

Winnipeg’s Crystal Casino was the first government-owned casino, opening its doors in 1991. It didn’t even have its own structure but instead occupied the Fort Garry Hotel’s seventh floor. Manitoba now has five other gambling venues, but the historic Crystal Casino’s reign was short. It closed in 1999.

The Evolution of Gambling Laws in Canada

Online Gambling Laws in Canada

Canada’s online gambling laws are both straightforward and confusing.

On the one hand, online gambling, whether sports betting or casino gaming, is legal as long as the provider is licensed within the country. But on the other hand, Canadians use plenty of offshore online sportsbooks and casinos.

While it’s illegal to operate an online casino in Canada without a license, nothing is spelled out explicitly prohibiting Canadians from using non-licensed services. Many people do, without penalty. No one has been prosecuted for using an out-of-area gambling website.

Province-run Gambling Sites

There are licensed Canadian online gambling sites that operate within the country. Sports Interaction was one of the first and is still going strong. Although it’s categorized as a sportsbook, players can take advantage of casino games as well.

Additionally, Canada is a unique country with its online gambling presence. As the provinces control the gambling and online gambling, most have their own virtual service, like Quebec’s Loto-Quebec or Alberta’s Play Alberta.

Province-run gambling sites include casino gaming, instant lottery, and sports betting. Not all residents are enthused about these services.

The in-region sites tend to have just a small sample of games compared to competitive offshore online casinos. However, new betting opportunities are consistently added, and Loto-Quebec even has some millionaire-makers in its virtual slot banks.

Sports Lotteries but No Straight Bets

Canadian punters tend to “virtually” leave the country to place bets because Canada’s gambling laws don’t account for straight bets. Since 1976 when sports lotteries emerged, betting has been restricted to parlays.

Aside from Sports Interaction, there are provincial-approved betting services across the country. The national program is called Sport Select, although it’s known by different names, depending on the location.

Sport Select usually operates in conjunction with lottery retailers, and some provinces have extended the service to mobile players. Hence, it falls under both gambling and online gambling legislation in Canada.

Canadians appreciate more than just online sports betting, though. As we mentioned, the majority of provinces host their own online gambling sites featuring casino games, like slots, table games, virtual scratch cards, and lottery-type gaming.

Province-run online betting sites are geofenced. Players can use their mobile devices to play from home or anywhere in the region but will lose connectivity when they cross into another jurisdiction.

Summary of Canada’s Online Gambling Laws

Online casinos and sportsbooks licensed in Canada are legal.

Sport Select is the national sports betting program, allowing for parlays in retailers and some provinces to provide online access.

It’s illegal to operate an online casino in Canada without a license, but nothing is spelled out regarding players using outside online betting services.

Most provinces have dedicated full-service gambling sites for residents but are geofenced, so Canadian punters in other areas can’t access the service – they have to stick to their local website.

Canadian Gambling Laws by Province

Since 1985 when the Canadian government relegated gambling legislation to the individual provinces, there’s been continuous expansion. More than 80 casinos have surfaced and there are now nearly 40,000 VLT machines worth millions to the local economies.

The following are the nine provinces and one territory with casinos and subsequent oversight.

Alberta

Gambling oversight: Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission (AGLC)

Commission established: 1996

Alberta gambling legislation: The Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Act

AGLC website: https://aglc.ca/

Legal gambling age in Alberta: 18

Official online gambling site: Play Alberta

Alberta has 28 licensed casinos within the region. Vegas-style casinos are prevalent, totaling 24, and the other four stick to machine-based gambling.

When it comes to VLT gaming in bars and clubs, Alberta takes the nation’s second spot with 6,000 machines at more than 1,200 locations. Quebec is the only province with more, as it totals 12,000. Electronic gaming provides a half-billion dollars in annual revenue to the government.

The province participates in the WCLC, or Western Canada Lottery Corporation but doesn’t allow for online lottery sales. However, Alberta does have a provincial-run online casino, Play Alberta, with slots and lottery-type games. Players can deposit to their betting account with Visa or Mastercard.

British Columbia

Gambling oversight: British Columbia Lottery Corp.

British Columbia gambling legislation: Gaming Control Act

BCLC website: https://www.playnow.com/

Legal gambling age in British Columbia: 19

Official online gambling site: Play Now

The British Columbia Lottery Corporation is a three-part service consisting of casino games, lottery, and e-gaming.

Play Now is the official online gambling service, which extends to lottery ticket sales and slots, and other virtual machine-type gaming. Unlike Alberta’s online casino that’s limited to Visa and Mastercard acceptance, Play Now offers a wide range of payment options, including PayPal, Web Cash, and Online Bill Payment.

Land-based gambling in British Columbia features 34 casino venues, but only 18 with traditional table games. There are also three bingo halls, but British Columbia has opted out of the VLT program, so machine gaming isn’t available at bars, taverns, and other liquor-licensed establishments.

Manitoba

Gambling oversight: Liquor, Gaming, and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba

Manitoba gambling legislation: The Liquor Gaming and Cannabis Control Act of 2018

LGCA website: https://lgcamb.ca/

Legal gambling age in Manitoba: 18

Official online gambling site: Play Now

While Crystal Casino, the first commercial casino in the area, closed in 1999, five replacements have been added since. Manitoba is also home to Assiniboia Downs’ flat track thoroughbred racing under the Manitoba Horse Racing Commission’s supervision.

The Liquor, Gaming, and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba handles other gambling license applications, including lottery and VLTs. While Manitoba isn’t at the top of the list for VLT revenue, it has nearly 600 licensees, 4,400 machines and generates around a quarter-billion in revenue for the area.

Manitoba is the exception with the Western Canada Lottery Corp, as it also utilizes the Play Now online services for tickets. Both lottery and VLT retailers go through an application process but aren’t charged licensing fees to get started.

New Brunswick

Gambling oversight: New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corp.

New Brunswick gambling legislation: Control Act of 2008

NBLGC website: https://www2.gnb.ca/

Legal gambling age in New Brunswick: 19

Official online gambling site: Atlantic Lottery

The NBLGC oversees most of New Brunswick authorized gambling activities, except VLTs. VLT supervision is under the Department of Justice, which has recently implemented changes in the program.

VLT machines and retailers have been reduced to a maximum of 2,000 devices spread out amongst 300 locations. New Brunswick’s other land-based gaming includes the Casino New Brunswick with Vegas-style gaming and Grey Rock, which sticks to gambling machines, including electronic table games.

Online gambling is legal in New Brunswick through the Atlantic Lottery site, covering all of the bases from lottery tickets to casino games (slots and tables), bingo, and a link to Pro-Line for sports betting.

Nova Scotia

Gambling oversight: Nova Scotia Gaming Corp.

Nova Scotia gambling legislation: The Gaming Control Act

NSGC website: https://gamingns.ca/

Legal gambling age in Nova Scotia: 19

Official online gambling site: Atlantic Lottery

There’s plenty of bingo action throughout Nova Scotia in addition to the two Casino Nova Scotia locations in Sydney and Halifax. According to reports by the NSGC, the area can more than accommodate the list of venues. Approximately 73% of Nova Scotians participate in at least one betting activity.

All of the proceeds from gambling within the province, which amounted to $136.5 million in the 2019-2020 calendar year, go directly to local programs and services.

Like New Brunswick, Nova Scotia is part of the Atlantic Lottery online gambling programs, so residents also have home and mobile access to slots, lottery tickets, sports betting, etc. Land-based gaming covers the landscape with 600 VLT licensees and 3,000 machines in play.

Ontario

Gambling oversight: Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp.

Ontario gambling legislation: Ontario Lottery and Gaming Act

OLG website: https://www.olg.ca/en/home.html

Legal gambling age in Ontario: 19

Official online gambling site: Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG)

The OLG website is Ontario’s Atlantic Lottery. It’s a full-service online gambling go-to for pretty much anything and everything betting-related in the province. You can buy lottery tickets, bet on sports, and play casino games.

Ontario residents have an edge compared to their provincial neighbors. OLG’s casino not only has more games but uses IGT software. IGT is behind some of the most well-known slot titles, like Cleopatra and LobsterMania (both available on olg.ca). Slots also cover major progressive jackpots like the Power Bucks series seeded at a million.

Along with British Columbia, Ontario said no to VLTs. However, the province is currently home to 28 casinos, including four resort-style properties, like Fallsview Casino-Resort. Casino Woodbine is amid a significant expansion project slated for 2022 completion. And, the casino count will soon hit 29 when the new Pickering Casino-Resort opens its doors.

All but five of Ontario’s casinos are Vegas-style with slots and table games. The other five stick to gambling machines.

Prince Edward Island

Gambling oversight: Prince Edward Island Lotteries Commission

Prince Edward Island gambling legislation: Lotteries Commission Act and Gaming Centre Control Regulations of 2005

PEI gaming regulation website: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/legislation/lotteries-commission-act

Legal gambling age in Prince Edward Island: 19 for VLTs and casino; 18 for lottery tickets

Official online gambling site: Atlantic Lottery

With a population of only 157,000, two casinos, a few hundred VLTs, and bingo halls should accommodate Prince Edward Island residents who enjoy gambling activities.

Even the Red Shores Racetrack and Casino, one of two Red Shores properties, is relatively small with about 300 slots. However, it also offers table gaming and a poker room. If the lottery retailers, VLTs, and casinos aren’t enough, though, Prince Edward Island is also part of the Atlantic Lottery program.

Atlantic Lottery gives residents a regionally-regulated, legal Canadian online gambling site for everything from slots to sports.

Quebec

Gambling oversight: Loto-Quebec

Quebec gambling legislation: Société des lotteries du Québec

Société de lotteries du Québec website: https://societe.lotoquebec.com/en/home

Legal gambling age in Quebec: 18

Official online gambling site: Loto-Quebec

If you want to know anything and everything about legal gambling in Quebec, Loto-Quebec is the site to discover. It’s one of the most detailed resources in the country and explicitly spells out what’s available according to Canada gambling laws.

Everything from VLTs to casino gaming to the Loto-Quebec online gambling site runs through the Société de lotteries du Québec.

Loto-Quebec, like the Ontario and Atlantic Lottery sites, covers the gamut. You can play slots, tables, instant lottery, and place sports bets. But if you’re in the mood to take a drive, two gambling halls and four casinos are premier attractions.

Casino de Montreal

Casino du Lac-Leamy

Casino de Charlevoix

Casino de Mont-Tremblant

The Casino de Montreal is the largest in Canada with more than 3,000 machines, 100 tables, a 25-table poker room, and a VIP gaming area.

As far as other land-based betting opportunities, Quebec takes the top spot with 12,000 VLTs, although it has plans to reduce that number in the near future. Historically, though, the VLTs have contributed a half-billion annually to the provincial economy.

Saskatchewan

Gambling oversight: Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority

Saskatchewan gambling legislation: The Alcohol and Gaming Regulatory Act

SLGA website: https://www.slga.com/gaming/

Legal gambling age in Saskatchewan: 19

Official online gambling site: n/a

The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority runs seven out of the nine casinos in the region, including the newest, Gold Horse in Lloydminster, which opened in December 2018. The remaining two (Casino Regina and Casino Moose Jaw) are under the Saskatchewan Gaming Authority.

Saskatchewan has an active charity gaming department and one of the more lucrative VLT programs. With 4,200 VLTs in 569 locations, it’s easy to see how they could contribute more than $155 million annually to the province.

A lottery is in full swing with Sask Lotteries, which also links to Sport Select for parlays. However, the lottery is a retailer-only service. You can’t buy tickets or play casino games on the Sask Lottery website like you can in Quebec or Ontario.

Yukon Territory

Gambling oversight: Yukon Lottery Corp

Yukon gambling legislation: n/a

Lotteries Yukon website: https://lotteriesyukon.com/en/programs

Legal gambling age in Yukon: 19

Official online gambling site: n/a

There’s not a whole lot happening gambling-wise in the Yukon Territory. But we’d be remiss if we left it off the list as it’s home to Canada’s first casino.

Diamond Tooth Gertie’s was opened by the Klondike Visitors Association in 1971 and has done its job to attract visitors to the area. With just 64 slots and some table games, you wouldn’t compare it to a venue like Casino de Montreal, but you don’t need to, as it’s one-of-a-kind.

While Yukon Territory has a small lottery program with 43 retailers, there’s no VLT program. So, Gertie’s is the go-to for gambling machines.

Future Expansion of Canada Online Gambling

Canada’s online gambling laws provide for casino gaming, iLottery, and parlay-based sports betting. But the question is, what’s off the list?

The answer is straight bets and other sports wagering. Canada has noticed what’s happened in the US after PASPA (the Professional Amateur Sports Protection Act) was overturned.

As neighboring states are going all-in with sportsbooks and mobile betting, it’s time for the Great White North to get competitive.

Single-game sports betting has been a hot topic for years in Canada. Licensed sportsbooks and online bookmakers have been pushing for another modification to the 1892 Criminal Code for quite some time.

But the United States’ status change might be enough to alter legislation on a national level soon.

Interesting Facts about Gambling in Canada

Gambling and online gambling laws in Canada provide a combination of white-listed activities and those in the gray area, like online gambling offered through off-shore operators. That leaves residents and visitors with questions, as things can change as soon as you cross from one province into another.

So, we’ve got a few notable gambling-related items that you may find useful in addition to the detailed province-by-province breakdown above.

The legal gambling age in Canada varies from province to province While the minimum age doesn’t swing wildly, some areas allow players 18 and over, while others require 19. Current sports betting legislation in Canada is for parlay-based betting only One of the contention points regarding legal sports betting is that it could encourage teams or players to cheat. With parlay bets, it’s less likely that someone would throw a game. The Mohawk Territory Kahnawake Gaming Commission isn’t just behind the Canadian-licensed Sports Interaction site The Kahnawake Gaming Commission was one of the first official regulators of online gaming, starting in 1996. Its client list has dwindled over the years, but it still maintains 21 active licensees. Canadians aren’t charged taxes on winnings The no-tax gambling law in Canada applies to both land-based and online gambling and the lottery. VLTs are responsible for nearly a quarter of all gambling industry income in Canada? Even without VLTs in Ontario or British Columbia, they’re behind billions in local governments’ annual revenue. A new casino is opening in Ontario in 2021 The Pickering Resort-Casino was slated for a 2020 opening, but the COVID-19 pandemic slightly postponed the big reveal. Canadians will soon have access to more than 2,000 slots, 167 live dealer stadium game terminals, and 100 table game offerings.

Recapping Gambling and Online Gambling Laws in Canada

As you can now see, you’d need an entire book to list what’s on and off in terms of the gambling and online gambling laws in Canada. Each province develops its individual gambling strategy, which typically includes at least a few casinos, sports betting, a lottery, and an online presence.

Canadians aren’t taxed on gambling winnings, which is a win on top of a win. The legal gambling age is either 18 or 19, depending on the region. That requirement sticks with both land-based and online betting.

Some Canadians balk at their homegrown gambling sites, like Play Now or the Atlantic Lottery. But those full-service websites cover the gamut with sports betting, slots, table games, and lottery tickets. Canadian nights can get cold, so it’s always good to have options.

Gambling in Canada

Signs directing to people to casinos are seen in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

Bloomberg Creative Photos / Getty Images

Gambling in one form or another is permitted everywhere across Canada, but regulated by—and thus differs in—each of the country's 10 provinces and three territories.

Casinos, racetracks, lotteries, and other gaming organizations all must follow the laws as laid out by their governing province or territory. Where you are in Canada determines what type of gambling is legal or not and at what age you must be to participate.

Types of Gambling

Shining spinning golden casino roulette Gambling and casino equipment conceptual background

Oleksiy Maksymenko / Getty Images

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Oleksiy Maksymenko / Getty Images

The types of legalized gambling offered in Canada range from commercial casino operations and racetracks to smaller bingo halls, Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs), slot machines, and ticket lotteries.

All legal gambling is regulated by the provinces and territories and therefore the available types of gambling differ across the country.

A certain amount of illegal gambling goes on in Canada by way of private betting houses, non-government-regulated video gaming and lottery machines, and online gambling, which poses an ongoing challenge to Canadian authorities.

Casino Gambling

Niagara Falls Casino at night, Ontario, Canada.

Henry Georgi / Getty Images

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Henry Georgi / Getty Images

Casino gambling is probably the form of gambling that most appeals to visitors to Canada.

More than 100 casinos operate across Canada, though none in Newfoundland & Labrador.

Some of Canada's casinos, like the one at the sumptuous Manoir Richelieu or at Mont-Tremblant—both in Quebec—are in picturesque parts of the country and lure visitors for much more than the prospect of winning (or losing) money. Others, like the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls, the Montreal Casino or Caesars in Windsor, Ontario, are big splashy, Vegas-style operations with live shows, restaurants, and shopping.

Age Requirements

Loto-Québec

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The age requirement for getting into casinos in Canada corresponds to the drinking age and varies by province or territory.

You must be 19 to enter a casino everywhere in Canada except Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec where the admissible age is 18.

This age requirement similarly applies to entrance to the restaurants and theatres within casinos.

Destination and Resort Casinos

View of Horseshoe Falls and Casino from Skylon Tower, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

Henry Georgi / Getty Images

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Henry Georgi / Getty Images

Canada has many destinations and resort-style casinos that are particularly popular with visitors. Many of these casinos have on-site accommodation, restaurants, shopping, live shows, and picturesque locations.

Ontario

Ontario has the most casinos at more than 25 and four of these are resorts.

Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara, both in Niagara Falls; Casino Rama in Orillia about an hour and a half north of Toronto; and Caesars in Windsor, just across the border from Detroit.

British Columbia

Lake City Casino in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, close to wineries and golf courses.

St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino is set in the Rocky Mountains.

River Rock Casino Resort is a sprawling complex full of all the indulgences in Richmond, B.C.

Quebec

The casino at the Manoir Richelieu in Charlevoix, Quebec is about as gorgeous as a casino gets in this historic riverside hotel.

First Nations Casinos

P199 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

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P199 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

A number of Canada's casinos are operated by First Nations tribes on First Nations reserves and are open to the public. One of the biggest is Casino Rama in Orillia, north of Toronto in Ontario, where visitors flock to try their luck at the tables or slots as well as to see live performances by big-name acts that have included Jerry Seinfeld, Carrie Underwood, and Diana Ross.

A Brief History of Gambling in Canada

Monashee Frantz / Getty Images

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Monashee Frantz / Getty Images

Once a relatively benevolent past time, gambling in Canada has become a more accepted and integral leisure and recreational activity. Today, under regulations of the provincial and territorial governments, gambling options are available through charities, private operators licensed by the government, and through the Canadian aboriginal people of the First Nations.

Gambling's widespread acceptance in Canada began in 1969 when the Criminal Code was changed to allow the provinces and territories to raise funds for worthwhile causes through regulated lotteries. For example, the Montreal Olympics received funding from such lotteries. Today, lotteries are big money makers for Canada's provincial and territorial governments, and government regulated gambling has grown to include ticket lotteries, horse racing, charitable gaming (including bingo), casino-style gambling, video lottery terminals (VLTs) - though not all these forms of gambling are available everywhere in Canada.

Overview of Legal Gambling in Canada

Betting on a single sports game is currently illegal under the Criminal Code of Canada. 1 While the Criminal Code prohibits single-game sports betting, it creates exceptions for a parlay-style system. 2 Parlay-style betting requires an individual to bet on two or more events and accounts for approximately $500 million in legal provincial wagers. 3 However, Canadians are betting close to $14 billion a year through offshore websites and illegal bookmaking operations. 4 Under a new bill recently introduced by Justice Minister David Lametti, the $14 billion that Canadians gamble offshore could soon be legalized in Canada.

Bill C-13 (the "Bill") 5 , which was introduced last November, would remove the prohibition on single-game sports betting in Canada and allow the provinces to regulate the industry. 6 The Bill adopts suggestions forwarded in a private members' bill 7 introduced earlier this year and is expected to draw support across bipartisan lines. 8 The Bill comes at a time when Canada faces increased competition from America after the US Supreme Court paved the way for legalized sports betting in the States. 9

Proponents for legalizing single-game sports betting in Canada point to the revenue potential gambling could funnel into the economy, bringing both jobs and economic benefits. 10 The Canadian Gaming Association stated allowing single-game sports betting would serve as an economic stimulus, create hundreds of employment opportunities, and generate a significant new tax revenue stream for cities across Canada. 11 Others claim removing prohibitions against single-game sports betting in Canada could have huge market impacts. In Ontario alone, one Canadian-based digital sports media company estimates $1.5-2.1 billion in annual gross gaming revenue. 12

Those opposed to the legislation argue sporting events could fall prey to match fixing, undermining the integrity of professional sports. Declan Hill, an associate professor of investigations at the University of New Haven, argued in the Globe and Mail that the Bill is flawed. He contends Canada should also create a federal law targeting match fixing before legalizing single-game sports betting. 13 The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport notes similar match fixing concerns. 14 Further, legalizing single-game sports betting could contribute to growing addiction problems. Declan highlights easier access to sports betting could "fuel addiction in the demographic that is not always known for making sensible choices – men aged 14 to 35." 15 With the added difficulty in monitoring underage betting, addiction problems could become more acute.

Others opposed to the legislation claim single-game sports betting creates an arena to bankrupt customers and drain money from the economy. Liberal MP Adam Vaughan, in debating the mirroring private members' bill, noted casinos take four dollars out of the local economy for every dollar that goes into it. 16 Vaughan believes casinos are now looking to single-event sports betting as a way to supplement their income after bankrupting their previous clientele.

With the recent growth in the US gambling industry and Canadians appetite for gambling, the latest attempt to legalize single-game sports betting in Canada may prove successful. With the Bill garnering support from several multi-national sport organizations, the legislative change could come at a particularly poignant time when Canada's economy needs a boost from the COVID-19 pandemic. 17 Parliament is expected to debate the Bill in early 2021.

1. Criminal Code, RSC 1985, c C-46 s 207(4)(b).

3. Canadian Gaming Association, "Canadian Gaming Association Urges Quick Action on Legislation for Sports Betting" (3 November 2020), online: Canadian Gaming Association (https://mailchi.mp/1f569daf0683/cga-urges-quick-action-on-legislation-for-sports-betting) [CGA].

5. "Bill C-13, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (single event sport betting), 2nd Sess, 43rd Parl, 2020 (first reading 26 November 2020).

6. Justice Minister David Lametti emphasized the bill's objective was to move single-game betting into a legal, regulated environment. See Department of Justice, Backgrounder: Proposed changes to Canada's Criminal Code relating to sports betting (November 26 2020).

7. Bill C-218, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (sports betting), 1st Sess, 43rd Parl, 2020 (second reading 28 February 2020).

8. Matt Rybaltowski, "Canadian Bill on Single-Game Sports Betting Tabled Until After Christmas" (11 December 2020), online: Sports Handle (https://sportshandle.com/canada-bill-tabled-121120/).

9. Murphy v National Collegiate Athletic Association Christie vs NCAA, 138 S Ct 1461 (2018).

10. "Bill C-218, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (sports betting)" 2nd reading, House of Commons Debates, 43-2, No 025 (3 November 2020) at 1720 & 1725 (Mr. Kevin Waugh).

12. Brad Allen, "Finding the Biggest Winners from Expanded Canada Sports Betting" (2 December 2020), online: Legal Sports Report (www.legalsportsreport.com/46185/canada-sports-betting-winners/).

13. Declan Hill, "Expanding Sports Betting Without Banning Match-Fixing is a Recipe for Trouble" (11 December 2020), online: Globe and Mail (www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-expanding-sports-betting-without-banning-match-fixing-is-a-recipe-for/).

14. McClaren Global Sport Solutions & Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport, "Match Manipulation and Gambling: A Growing Threat to Canadian Sport Integrity" (24 & 25 April 2019), online (pdf): (https://cces.ca/sites/default/files/content/docs/pdf/cces-mgss-matchman-whitepaper-execsum-e-web.pdf).

16. "Bill C-218, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (sports betting)" 2nd reading, House of Commons Debates, 43-2, No 025 (3 November 2020) at 1730 (Mr. Adam Vaughan).

17. National Baseball Association et al, Joint Statement, "Joint Statement From the Commissioners of the National Baseball Association, National Hockey League, Major Baseball League, Major League Soccer and Canadian Football League" (8 June 2020), online (pdf): (http://canadiangaming.ca/wp-content/uploads/Leagues-Joint-Statement.pdf).

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

Guide to Gambling in Canada

Are you wondering what the legal gambling age in Canada and your province is? Or perhaps how many land casinos are nearby? How about gambling laws on taxable income?

This gambling guide has answered all of this and more, including:

How to sign up to a gambling site

What payment methods are best to use

Tips and tricks for gambling in Canada

What is the Legal Gambling Age in Canada?

How to Sign Up to a Gambling Site in Canada

Firstly, pick an online casino that suits you. All of our recommended casino sites are perfectly safe and secure for you to play at in Canada.

Next, choose a screen name and provide basic personal information. This might include documentation such as a scan of your ID card, utility bill, bank statement or credit card.

Choose a banking method from the casino’s cashier and enter the necessary information to make your first deposit. This is when you can redeem a welcome bonus too.

You are now free to gamble online on your mobile or computer. All the top online casinos offer mobile apps or sites that can be run from devices such as your iPhone, iPad or Android.

Popular Gambling Payment Methods

Some of most popular payment methods for gambling online are credit or debit cards like Visa and MasterCard.

You can also use eWallets such as PayPal and Neteller, and prepaid cards that let you pre-load a card with funds and deposit directly into your online account.

How to Make an Online Gambling Transaction

After you’ve signed up for an account, go to the cashier and choose your preferred method of payment to make your first deposit.

Enter the necessary information, such as credit card number, name on card or PayPal email address.

Choose how much you want to deposit and then confirm the transaction.

If all the details are correct, the funds will be in your account instantly with most payment methods.

Online Gambling Tips and Tricks

Is Your Gambling Income Taxable in Canada?

When it comes to gambling tax in Canada, it is always best to check with a specialist advisor. However, as the Canadian law stands right now, unless you are the one organizing the gambling activities (in other words, you’re the casino) you will probably not be taxed.

Another exception is if you make a living gambling, like a pro poker player for example. In that case your winnings are taxed by standard income rates. If you’re just a recreational gambler, however, none of your winnings will be taxed.

What to Do When Gambling Becomes a Problem

Gambling can become a dangerous addiction that can damage lives and social relationships. If you feel that signing off is becoming an issue, refer to our dedicated Problem Gambling page, or to some of the resources listed below or:

Problem Gambling – an Ontario organization that offers help to gamblers who need it.

Gambling Problem Helpline – a helpline for Canadian players in need of counseling. It can be reached on 1-866-332-2322.

Responsible Gambling – a website offering help to Canadian players who feel they cannot stop playing.

In addition, every Canadian territory has its own Alcohol and Gambling commission website that provides information regarding responsible gaming.

Online Gambling FAQs

What is online gambling?

Online gambling refers to playing traditional casino games such as poker, baccarat, roulette, slots and much more through a website. You can often find far more game variants and offers online than at land casinos.

Sports betting is also a big part of online gambling.

What are the best online gambling sites?

Our top recommended online casino for the best all-round gambling experience is Jackpot City.

For sports betting specifically, Betway Sports is our #1 choice.

How old do you have to be to gamble in Canada?

You have to be 19 in most Canadian provinces, regions or cities to bet, except for Alberta, Calgary, Manitoba, Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec where the legal gambling age is 18.

How can I win on slot machines?

There are a few tips you can follow to increase your chances of winning slots online:

Bet smaller amounts on each spin

Pick games with high payout rates

Play only at recommended sites

Don't play above your means

Does sports betting count as gambling?

Yes. According to Canadian laws, sports betting online is considered legal gambling.

Disclaimer

The information on this page is offered as a general guide. It does not provide either tax or legal advice, and it should not be used in this manner. Users should seek formal financial and legal advice from an independent provider if they have any questions to do with online gambling activity.

Overview of Legal Gambling in Canada

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A winning hand? Combined changes to gambling industry could end Canada’s drift

In a landmark announcement, the federal government has signalled the birth of a modern sports betting industry in Canada. New legislation has the potential to unlock the billions in gaming revenue currently being generated in the “grey market”.

What you need to know

After a decade of calls for gaming law reform, the federal government has proposed to decriminalize single event sport betting which, if passed, would permit provinces and territories to regulate and license single event sport betting in Canada.

The Ontario Government has announced plans to launch a regulated online gaming/gambling marketplace. Under these plans, a newly formed subsidiary of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario would be granted authority to manage and regulate online gaming sites operated by private third parties.

The combined effect of decriminalization and online regulation provides an unprecedented opportunity for gaming industry stakeholders to potentially unlock the billions in “grey market” gaming revenue currently being generated through facilitating a legal and regulated online gaming marketplace for all types of single event sports betting in Ontario.

Current regime

Currently, Canadians may only legally wager on the outcome of a sporting event by way of parlay betting, which involves placing a bet on the outcome of multiple sporting events at once. Despite numerous calls for reform by gaming industry stakeholders over the past decade, single event sports betting in Canada has remained prohibited under Section 207(4)(b) of the Criminal Code. 1 This has led to the creation of an enormous “grey market” for single event bookmaking, with nearly $10 billion wagered annually in Canada 2 and an additional $4 billion 3 wagered annually through offshore online sports wagering websites and applications. Notwithstanding the tremendous revenue opportunity being missed by the provincial and territorial governments across Canada, and the great success witnessed in the United States through the rapid legalization of single event sports wagering, Canada has remained a laggard to the disappointment of many, until now.

Proposed change 1: Decriminalization of single event sport betting

On November 26, 2020, Federal Justice Minister David Lametti introduced legislation to decriminalize single event sport betting in Canada. If passed, Bill C-13, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (single event sport betting), would give provinces and territories the power and discretion to manage, regulate and license all types of single event sport betting on any sporting event, except horse racing, in their respective jurisdictions. 4

Under the new regime, provinces and territories could choose to adopt a private operator model for single event sport betting. Private businesses operating under licence would be able to bring competitive sports betting products to market – either online or in physical facilities. This serves as a long awaited and landmark proposal by the federal government that has the potential to create a new industry, offering Canadians an opportunity to place bets in a legal and regulated marketplace.

Bill C-13 is particularly notable in that it marks the first time that decriminalization of single event sports betting in Canada has been proposed under a government bill, which by its nature requires support from a Minister or Parliamentary Secretary (in this case, the Minister of Justice), thereby bolstering its chances of becoming law. All prior proposals over the past decade have been introduced by way of a private member’s bill which lacks the same level of governmental support and, in turn, likelihood of being passed.

Proposed change 2: Regulated online gaming marketplace

On November 5, 2020, the province of Ontario published the latest budget detailing plans to launch a regulated online market place for online gaming/gambling. Under these plans, the Ontario government is proposing to create a subsidiary of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario which would be granted authority to manage and regulate online gaming operated by private third parties. At present, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation is the only operator approved to offer online gambling in the province. The new model is expected to be developed over the coming months, and if passed, will provide an unprecedented opportunity for gaming industry stakeholders to potentially unlock the billions in “grey market” gaming revenue currently being generated through facilitating a legal and regulated online gaming marketplace for all types of single event sports betting in the province.

Growth of U.S. legal sports gambling market

The proposals announced by both the federal and provincial governments follow similar efforts to decriminalize single event sports wagering in the United States which have culminated in tremendous success.

In May 2018, a United States Supreme Court decision overturned a federal law prohibiting states from authorizing sports gambling (the PASPA decision) 5 on the basis that such law was unconstitutional, thereby clearing the way for the legalization of single event sports betting in the United States.

In the two-and-a-half-years since the PASPA decision, 26 states have either launched legal sports betting or passed legislation and are waiting to launch 6 . In addition, more than $20 billion has been unlocked from the “grey market” and wagered on legal U.S. sportsbooks. 7

Investor response

The proposed federal and provincial changes are timely in recognizing the desire for increased consumption of online sports and e-gaming products.

The disruption caused by COVID-19 has further fuelled the pre-existing trend of sports consumption moving from traditional in-person gatherings to online virtual experiences. Sports betting and e-gaming in particular have benefitted from this online shift.

In March 2020, during the first wave of closures associated with COVID-19, New Jersey, Delaware, Nevada and Pennsylvania – the four U.S. states with legal online poker sites – all reported record-high online gaming revenues. 8 Further, New Jersey gamblers wagered more than $931 million on sports in November, the latest in a series of all-time monthly highs reported in 2020. 9

Online bookmakers such as DraftKings and Bet365 have sought to capitalize on these trends by offering an appeal to sports bettors seeking new opportunities through products related to e-sports specifically while traditional sports struggle to provide consistent offerings. Las Vegas and the casino industry have followed with the Nevada Gaming Control Board approving sportsbooks to take wagers on the ESL One: Dota 2, DreamHack Masters Spring, League of Legends European Championship, Overwatch League, FIFA League etc. 10

In response, the capital markets have warmly accepted a series of offerings from sports industry players with an online focus:

In April 2020, DraftKings, a daily fantasy sports company, completed a $3.3 billion reverse merger with a special purpose acquisition company to bring the company public and began trading on the NASDAQ. As of January 12, 2021, the company’s stock price had surged from $19 on its first day of trading to $53, a clear sign of investor enthusiasm and support for the company and the sector more generally. 11

In September 2020, payments company Nuvei Corp. closed the Toronto Stock Exchange’s largest tech IPO ever in raising $805 million in gross proceeds. Nuvei Corp. has already earned approvals allowing it to serve sports betting industries in Colorado, Indiana and West Virginia.

In December 2020, Score Media and Gaming Inc. (theScore), which operates its own digital sports media and sports betting products, closed a bought-deal offering for gross proceeds of $40 million. Net proceeds are to be used, in part, to grow and expand theScore’s sports betting application’s operations in both the U.S. and Canada.

It is expected that further such offerings will continue to be embraced by the capital markets as COVID-19 continues to push industry participants online and as the proposed federal and provincial changes move forward.

After decades of waiting, the Canadian gambling industry has finally been dealt a winning hand. In the weeks that follow, Bill C-13 will face a second reading, followed by committee review, and a third reading, before it is able to be considered and potentially passed by the House of Commons and Senate. We will continue to monitor the progress of Bill C-13 and Ontario’s new online model and will continue to keep interested gaming industry stakeholders apprised of new developments.

To capitalize on the potential of the proposed changes, gaming industry businesses, service providers and entrepreneurs need an effective engagement strategy with provincial regulators. Our experts in gaming, governmental affairs and corporate and securities laws can help to navigate the complex regulatory landscape of gaming to identify opportunities and strategies in connection with this potential unlocking of the billions in gaming revenue currently being generated in the “grey market”.

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