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. Is online gambling legal in Canada? Online gambling is a gray area. Canadian gambling law doesn’t prohibit gambling on the internet so long as the operator or service provider has a license. That’s on the federal level. But every province or territory also sets their own gambling laws. The legal limitations apply to onshore online casinos in Canada, which are subject to stringent legal restrictions. Gambling is not illegal for the player. You cannot be arrested or charged with any crime for visiting a gambling house or playing at a legal casino (local or offshore) or spending your money there. Online gambling is illegal in Canada, unless the gambling activity is operated by a provincial government. Part VII of the Canadian Criminal Code (“Code”) makes all activities related to operating or acting in support of a commercial betting enterprise an offence, unless it is an enterprise licensed by a provincial government.

1. Gambling Online Canada Legal Forms
2. Gambling Online Canada Legal Sites
3. Online Gambling Canada Law
4. Online Gambling In Canada Legal
5. Gambling Online Canada Legal Advice
6. Sports Betting Online Canada Legal

There are lots of online casinos in Canada but which ones could be called the best online gambling operators in the country? Since we’re always aiming at providing you with the most valuable and up-to-date information available, we won’t make an exception this time either! Stay with us and make sure to check the featured operators below and the valuable details which come with them later.

We’ve listed some excellent operators above by carefully going through their most important assets, such as game types, variety of payment methods, welcome bonuses and more. All of our best online casinos in Canada have their own advantages which make them appealing to players but the main question remains – how do we determine if an online casino is worthy of exploring? Read on until the end of our review as we’ll disclose lots of valuable information in regards to choosing a great operator – and wrap it up once more with our list of online casinos in Canada.

Canadian Online Casino Guide – The Results of Our Check for 2020

We’ve already mentioned some of the criteria we’re looking at when we’re trying to determine if an online casino is worthy of being listed. However, that’s just a small part of the things we’re observing. Best performance needs to be analysed to the fullest, so you can expect some more valuable information related to platforms, payouts, the always trendy jackpots and many more. Safety will also be briefly mentioned but expect more about it in a paragraph below. For the time being make sure to check the following table as different operators excel and beat others on various benchmarks!

Online Casino Safety in Canada – What Should You Be Looking For?

When it comes to registering with a new operator, it’s always of utmost importance to check its legal status and whether it abides the laws of certain regulators. After all, depositing some of your hard-earned money for a piece of excitement shouldn’t be a risky task no matter how tempting a casino might be. However, the legal situation in Canada is different then what you would expect since licencing and law-abiding depend on the 10 different Canadian provinces.

• Our top online casinos in Canada are internationally known and are regulated worldwide from various renowned authorities.
• Having a licence wouldn’t be enough if there wasn’t an additional technology added in the form of SSL certificates. Secure Socket Layers encrypt data and protect it across the casinos we’ve listed.
• When gambling you should always do it for fun without any risks of addiction. Unfortunately, such events aren’t excluded but still Canadian players can find help in organisation such as Saskatchewan Health, Problem Gambling, British Columbia Responsible & Problem Gambling Program , and more.

Casino Game Selection in Canada– What Can You Play?

In today’s modern age where constantly evolving technologies are the main engines to progress, gambling variety in casinos is a must if an operator wants to attract players. Since we’ve listed the top 10 best casinos in Canada, it’s hard to imagine that they’ll offer less than impressive gameplay and outstanding quality. Furthermore, when industry leaders such as Microgaming, NetEnt and many others have been used, players can expect the best gambling action. But across what types of games can this quality be found? Check the answer below!

• Slots
• Roulette
• Baccarat
• Poker
• Blackjack
• Sic Bo
• Jackpots
• Texas Hold’em

The choice is here is huge, especially from the thousands of variants that are spread across our operators. With the different regulations from various provinces, it’s difficult to describe the complete gambling landscape across Canada. However, online gambling isn’t completely regulated. Furthermore, Canada doesn’t prohibit access to international offshore companies. Overall, when it comes to online gambling the legal situation isn’t all that clear, but we’ll elaborate more about it below. Of course, this doesn’t stop Canadian players from enjoying some excellent online slot games and live tables. Those seem to be a top choice for most Canadian gamblers, so it’s no surprise that their presence is the strongest among our top operators.

Canadian Slots: Top Sites & Games

With some rare exceptions, online gambling sites always have one and the same most played type of game and that is the slot variant. This type of casino game is the most popular due to its easy rules and great diversity in themеs. Furthermore, slots can bring even more excitement if there’s an additional prize in the form of a progressive jackpot. That’s why Canadian players can find among the top games at Casumo Casino excellent trill games such as, Mega Fortune, Major Millions and many more. Apart from that, there are also other popular Canadian slots as well, so make sure to check them out in the screenshots below!

Casumo offers the best variety of online slots across Canada, but the ones we’ve listed have exceptional graphics and have been among player favourites for quite some time. Mega Moolah has been one of the most exciting slots due to its huge progressive jackpot and the biggest prize ever won from a slot game back in 2018. Starburst is also a great reel-spinning game and is even plugged in lots of welcome bonuses. The overall quality of the listed games is more than sufficient for a great gameplay, not to mention Casumo’s RTP rates which are well beyond 92%. All of the aforementioned should give you the confidence that the slots at this outstanding operator would be definitely worth your time!

Casino Jackpots for Canadian Players

Are you eager to participate in a competition for huge prizes? The fans of higher bets can enjoy an outstanding selection of jackpots which will truly drive their adrenaline upwards! Whether we’re talking about daily or progressive jackpots, there’s a lot of exploring since most of the prizes are from six figures and above! Needless to say, those winnings which await the luckiest of players, aren’t particularly connected with the country from which you are playing, but are rather accumulated from the efforts of all slot players worldwide. Since slot jackpots inspire a lot of interest among player, let’s see some of the games across Canada with their biggest prizes:

• Royal Vegas Progressive Jackpot – $5,436,705
• Mega Fortune – $3,560,904
• Hall of Gods – $2,693,295
• Treasure Fair – $1,954,151
• Millionaire Genie – $1,273,359
• Joker Millions – $1,072,960
• Empire Fortune – $1,072,358
• Mega Fortune Dreams – $943,650

As you can see the slot jackpots can’t be compared with anything else, so the Canadian fans of these types of games are definitely in for a treat. Furthermore, the daily jackpots also might be a great option for most of you. Although the listed games have tempting prizes, rest assured that there’s plenty to come across at our top Canadian online casinos! We strongly encourage you to check out these excellent operators and who knows – maybe you can be the next lucky winner!

Roulette, Blackjack & Other Games

We’ve already acknowledged slots as a king among casino games in Canada, but there are even more gambling options available. The good news is that Canadian players can enjoy a great choice of table games across the top 10 operators. All of the most popular games are available for a great set of entertainment. Roulette, blackjack, various poker variants and even game shows can be found across the top casinos, and the bet limits they come аre flexible. This means that even newcomers can have a great time while learning the basics of those classic games. Furthermore, live-action also has its presence across the top online casinos in Canada. Professional dealers will take care of creating a luxurious atmosphere for a comfortable experience, so don’t hesitate to check that option as well!

Best Canadian Online Casino Bonuses – Excitement for Canadian Players

When you register with a new casino, it’s always nice to see that the operator values your choice and thankfully adds a welcome bonus as a boost for your future gambling adventures. At first, such promotions were considered as a goodwill gesture, but in today’s gambling market they are widely considered as a ‘must’. Of course, when we’re talking about the top Canadian online casino sites, there’s no question that all of them offer excellent welcome bonuses. However, there’s one which truly stands out and we’re not talking about it’s sum, but about other requirements as well. Check it out in our table below!

Although LeoVegas isn’t our top Canadian online casino, it has the most well-balanced welcome offer among all other promotions. The maximum sum which has been offered is more than enough for having a great start with the operator, not to mention the low minimum deposit requirement. The wagering is standard for the industry, but the additional free spins which have been added can also be considered as a top gesture. Apart from that, the casino has more than enough games where you can use your welcome offer, giving you the possibility to meet your wagering requirements even faster than expected!

Canadian Casino Payouts – The Best Odds to Win Real Money

Even across the best games from top operators like the ones we’ve listed, there are certain levels of gameplay which need to be addressed. One of the most important characteristics is the RTP ( Return-to-Player) rate. The RTP rate is a percentage that basically shows how much of the input funds will be eventually paid to players. On the opposite side is the house edge, which is basically what percentage of the input funds will be kept by the casino. The lower the house edge – the better, but let’s see what our research shows for the top Canadian online casinos:

The average payout percentage of our top casinos in Canada is more than impressive. As you can see, the lowest one is 95.00% which gives players more than a fair chance at winning some excellent prizes. To name a few, we’ve added the best games by RTP criteria across all of casinos. If you want to use a more strategized approach to your gambling, make sure to play Goblin’s Cave, Millionaire Genie or some of the other slots listed. Live and table games RTP’s are also included, so if you’re a fan of those, you can also take advantage of this table!

Casino Software and Online Platform – Canadian Players’ Top Pick

When you’re choosing a new operator, the casino software is more important thank you think. After all, software companies are the ones who provide casinos with the selection of games, so knowing more about the current provider gives you an edge and a good idea of what to expect from an online casino. However, Canadian players seem to have a best software provider and that’s Microgaming. Although it may seem on the surface that having such an industry leader can be enough, our Canada online casinos prefer to mix up their games with other providers as well. Having diversity among software companies is always a good strategy to attract as many clients as possible!

Which Is the Best Canadian Online Casino For Live Games?

Slots can be fun, but if you prefer being in a five-star Monte Carlo atmosphere, you can definitely place your bets at the Betway live tables! Once you enter the live game selection, you’ll see that you have a diversified choice that can hardly be matched. All of the most popular games like roulette,blackjack, and baccarat have been added, but there are extra choices in the form of various poker tables and live game shows. Make sure to check this great live casino available for Canadian players below!

Choosing this operator wasn’t that difficult having in mind the advantages it provides to its players. First of all, Evolution Gaming is the main provider and most of the experienced casino players know that this company creates some of the best live games out there. Apart from that, the tables themselves give various options for adjusting the gameplay and the overall appearance. However, there’s another top provider added in the form of NetEnt. Poker players will also be delighted to know that Texas Hold’em has also been added and there’s even a jackpot to it – more than C$128,000! Overall, the live games at Betway are definitely worth your time and we strongly encourage you to check them out for yourself!

The Best Mobile Experience from Canadian Online Casinos

Playing on the go has become the most preferred way of gambling during the last years which shouldn’t be surprising at all. Mobile technology is constantly evolving, so it’s no wonder that players prefer entering a casino from the comfort of their phone. However, certain criteria like a fast platform, game diversity and low system requirements are a must for an excellent experience.

Casino.com provides mobile apps on its website both for iOS and Android devices. The operator has even gone as far as to explain the installation process in 5 easy steps for the convenience of all users. However, the downside of these types of software is the use of space and the technical requirements they come with. Most casinos are usually advising their players to just enter the mobile version of their casino through a browser which nowadays seems to be the most convenient choice. Needless to say, Casino.com offers such an option as well, so those of you who don’t like apps but still prefer playing from a mobile device can also enjoy some casino action!

The Best Canadian Online Casino Payment Methods

Having a wide range of payment methods is always among the top priorities at casinos, especially if they wish to tick all major boxes in order to attract new players. Our top operators are also aware of the advantages which this aspect brings to the table, so they’ve made sure to add some of the most used payment options available. However, there is one which truly stands out for Canadian players and that’s PayPal. If that’s not your cup of thee, you can see the full list of Canadian casino payment methods:

• VISA
• Mastercard
• PayPal
• Skrill
• Neteller
• Trustly
• Bank Transfer

With fast transactions and low fee PayPal will hardly be moved from the top position in Canada any time soon. PayPal deposits are instant and due to its popularity are getting more and more acceptable across the world. Furthermore, the withdrawals with this method are also fast and easy and usually take up to 24 hours for your funds to be back with you. However, before choosing this method, we advice you to check in the cashier section of your chosen operator whether there are any restrictions or different timeframes for this payment option.

Are Online Casinos in Canada Legal – Gambling Law Guide for 2020

Although land-based casinos are regulated across the territory of Canada, the situation with online gambling is quite different. Despite having 10 different authorities that regulate land-based operators, there’s only one online gaming authority and that’s the Kahnawake Gaming Commission for the Mohawk territory. However, it doesn’t have the scope the regulate the whole online gambling market at Canada. Apart from that, land-based casinos are thriving in the country. Gambling places such as Niagara Casino and Montreal Casino are becoming some of the best casinos not only in Canada but worldwide as well.

However, even though online gambling is not fully regulated I the country, there are numerous offshore operators available for all players who wish to gamble online. Therefore you can enjoy the games from our top operators which are regulated by international gambling authorities such as the UK Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority and the Gibraltar Gaming Commission. Apart from that, since there are 10 different licencing authorities, the gambling age is not the same in all provinces – it can be either 18 or 19 years of age.

However, even though online gambling is not fully regulated I the country, there are numerous offshore operators available for all players who wish to gamble online. Therefore you can enjoy the games from our top operators which are regulated by international gambling authorities such as the UK Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority and the Gibraltar Gaming Commission. Apart from that, since there are 10 different licencing authorities, the gambling age is not the same in all provinces – it can be either 18 or 19 years of age.

List of Canadian Casino Sites – Approved & Legal Operators for 2020

As you see, choosing a casino site involves a lot of research. There are a number of checks to be passed, and many criteria to be used when making a ranking. Of course, most players value different things, so you should make an informed choice based on your own preferences. Still, if you need any assistance, feel free to take advantage of our list of legal Canadian online casino sites:

FAQ – All Your Questions Answered

Do you still have questions which we weren’t able to answer proactively in this article? Rest assured that in the following lines we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions. Make sure to check them out as they might give you a different point of view on queries which you haven’t thought about before.

🏆 What is the best online casino in Canada?

Although we've listed our top choice above, it's really hard to choose the best operator and be certain about its superiority. As you can see the different online casinos excel in different categories, so we encourage you to choose more than one of our top 10 Canadian operators.

🎰 Are there Canadian-themed slots at the top online gambling sites?

Fortunately, there are some games that can be related to Canadians and certain things the country is famous for. However, don’t expect scatters with the Canadian flag but rather slots based on famous Canadian animals like wolfs and bears for example, or the hockey-based slot Break Away at Casumo Casino.

💵 Can you really win money with online casinos in Canada?

Since all of our best online casinos in Canada are regulated and have RTP's and payout rates set like the industry-standard ones, it shouldn't be surprising that players indeed win at the online casinos. However, you should note that online casinos rely heavily on games of chance and you should always play responsibly and for fun!

Тhe Overall Online Casino Landscape in Canada

In our quest to provide you with the most valuable information for the top online casinos in Canada we provided you with the most important details and it’s time for our conclusion. Generally speaking, Canada doesn’t prohibit offshore casino operators which is a sure sign that Canadian players can enjoy the thrill of online gambling. With such a vast variety of games and reputable operators which we’ve listed, there’s no denial you’ll have a great time. However, we encourage you to once again go through the best Canadian casinos for December, 2020 and enjoy their offerings to the fullest!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

• 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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

Gambling Online Canada Legal Forms

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.

• 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.

• 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

Gambling Online Canada Legal Sites

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.

• 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.

Online Gambling Canada Law

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

Online Gambling In Canada Legal

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.

Gambling Online Canada Legal Advice

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.

Sports Betting Online Canada Legal

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.