Like many nations, Canada has deep roots in gambling. In fact, the first games of chance date all the way back to 1497 when natives played gambling-type games for entertainment.
Current Status of Gambling Laws in Canada
As time progressed, technology evolved, and online gambling took the world by storm. Which, initially created a lot of confusion for Canadians in terms of legality. Let’s take a deeper look at the online gambling laws in Canada and provide some much-needed clarity. Current gambling laws in Canada dictate that online gambling is illegal in Canada unless the gambling service is licensed either by the federal government or the individual provinces. Therefore, any licensed online casino in Canada is legal to play at. But what about all the other offshore gambling sites? Technically, they too are legal for Canadians to play at.
Because Canada does not have specific laws regarding international online gambling and betting, most sites will accept Canadian players. So, Canadians are allowed to gamble on international gambling sites and licensed Canadian gambling sites without any legal ramifications.
Recommended Legal Canadian Gambling Sites
Our experts have researched gambling laws in Canada and Canadian gambling sites and found the top three casino and sports betting sites for Canadian players. If you aren’t already familiar with these trusted sites, we’ve provided an overview so you can start playing your favorite online casino games and place your sports bets without delay. These top three casino sites have everything you’re looking for in terms of fun, safety, and online security.
Betway Casino
HellSpin
Jackpot City
Don’t worry sports fans, we haven’t forgotten you! These top three sports betting sites are sure to satisfy, no matter what your level of expertise is.
Bodog
Betway Sportsbook
TonyBet
What You Should Know About Gambling in Canada
Whether you want to play slots, roll the dice, stand, fold, or hit – playing online casino games in Canada is a great way to participate in the action without ever leaving the comfort of your home. And for all the Canadian sports fans of the world – online wagering is a great way to add some excitement to the game or get a bit of friendly competition going with your peers. So, while you’re enjoying everything online gambling has to offer, here are a few points to keep in mind regarding the gambling laws in Canada.
- Online gambling at international sites is legal in Canada
- Licensed Canadian gambling sites are legal for Canadians to use
- Online sports betting is legal in Canada
- Real money gambling sites are legal in Canada
- All of the sites featured in this article are safe, secure, tested, and trusted sites for Canadians to use
Canadian Gambling Laws by Province
There are ten provinces in Canada and three territories. In 1970, each province was granted legal jurisdiction to regulate online gambling, sports betting, and casinos within its borders. In this section, we’ll explore how each province regulates gambling laws in Canada and provide an overview of how the laws differ.
- Quebec
- British Columbia
- Ontario
- Alberta
- Saskatchewan
- Manitoba
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia
- Prince Edward Island
Quebec
Legal gambling in Quebec includes:
- Lottery – draw games and instant wins with an online version that was introduced in 2012
- Casinos with slot machines, table games, and keno – Quebec is home to The Montreal Casino, the largest casino in Canada
- Poker rooms and bingo halls
- Sports betting
- Harness racing
- Online gaming – offshore and licensed casinos
British Columbia
Legal gambling in B.C. includes:
- Casinos – there are 20 casinos in B.C.
- Horse racing tracks – two live tracks and 17 teletheatres (off-track betting centers)
- Sports betting
- Bingo halls
- Community gaming centers
- Lottery
- Charitable gaming – groups and organizations can have a licensed gambling event for fundraising in the community
- Online gaming – offshore and B.C.s licensed casino, PlayNow Casino
Ontario
Legal gambling in Ontario includes:
- Sports betting
- Lottery – draw and instant games
- Casinos with slots, poker, video poker, and table games
- Horse racing
- Charitable gaming – includes raffles and bingo
- Online gaming – offshore and licensed casinos
Alberta
Legal gambling in Alberta includes:
- Lotteries
- Charitable gaming – charitable groups are allowed to conduct raffles, pull-tabs, and bingo with a license
- Slot and Video Lottery Terminals (VLT)
- Casinos – there are 28 casinos that offer a mix of slots, VLTs, electronic table games, and live table games
- Horse racing
- Sports betting
- Online gaming – offshore and Alberta’s licensed casino PlayAlberta.ca
Saskatchewan
Legal gambling activities include:
- Casinos – there are nine casinos that offer slot machines, dice games, and table games
- VLTs – located at licensed taverns and lounges
- Horse racing
- Charitable gaming – a license is required for bingo, raffles, pull-tabs, Monte Carlo events, and poker tournaments
- Online gaming – offshore and licensed casinos
Manitoba
Legal gambling activities include:
- Casinos – Manitoba has six First Nations casinos and two non-native casinos in Winnipeg with slots, table games, video poker, and live dealer games
- Online sports betting
- VLTs – located at age-restricted establishments that have a liquor license
- Horse racing – thoroughbred and standardbred racing events
- Social occasion raffles – a license is required
- Charitable gaming – open to charitable and religious organizations to fundraise with a license, includes sports drafts, Texas Hold’em tournaments, raffles, bingo, and break open tickets (pull tabs)
- Lottery tickets
- Online gaming – offshore and licensed casinos
Newfoundland and Labrador
Legal gambling activities include:
- Charitable gaming – fundraising events that require a license for raffles, bingo, and contests
- Lottery – overseen by the Atlantic Lottery Corp. Tickets may be purchased online or at a licensed retailer
- Racino – St. John’s Racing and Entertainment Center is home to a horse track and has five gaming machines and a race book
- VLTs
- Online gaming – offshore casinos and licensed casinos
New Brunswick
Legal gambling activities in New Brunswick include:
- Casino – there are two casinos in New Brunswick: Casino New Brunswick and Grey Rock Casino. They offer a mix of slots, poker, table games, and electronic table games
- VLTs – found in licensed liquor establishments and regulated by the Atlantic Lottery Corp.
- Lottery – national lottery games, instant win scratch tickets, sports betting products, and break open games
- Horse racing – pari-mutuel betting regulated by the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency
- Charitable gaming – fundraising events like bingo, raffles, draws, and poker tournaments for charitable and religious entities that require a license
- Online gaming – offshore casinos and ALC.ca is New Brunswick’s licensed online casino that offers Digital Instants, iBingo, and iCasino
Nova Scotia
Legal gambling in Nova Scotia includes:
- Charitable gaming – ticket permits and licenses are required to raise funds for charities and religious organizations through bingo, raffles, and games of chance lotteries
- Casino – Casino Nova Scotia is a government-owned casino with two locations, one in Halifax and one in Sydney
- Horse racing and teletheatres
- VLTs – found at licensed retailers
- Online gambling – offshore casinos and licensed casinos
Prince Edward Island
Legal gambling activities include:
- Lottery – operated by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation
- Horse racing – there are four racing tracks with harness racing and slot machines
- Charitable gaming – licenses are required for fundraising: events include bingo, raffles, and lottery contests
- Bingo halls – proceeds fund mental health efforts
- VLTs
- Online gambling – offshore casinos and licensed casinos
Gambling laws in Canada vary greatly depending on the province. All ten provinces offer some form of legal gambling and online gambling is always a viable option no matter where you reside in Canada.