Online gambling is something that has really taken off on a global scale in the last few years. This saw the market reach a size of around $17 billion by the end of 2023, and it’s only expected to grow as time moves on. Much of the growth in global online gambling has been driven by new markets opening up to it.
Canada is one country whose residents have developed a real appetite for gambling at online casino platforms. This passion is no surprise when you think of how popular land-based casino games are with residents.
Online gambling rules in Canada: what should you know?
If you live in Canada and plan to start playing casino games digitally, you first need to know what regulations may affect you. This helps keep you on the right side of the law and clear of any legal trouble.
In simple terms, it’s only legal to play at casinos operating within Canada that are officially licensed by the province you’re based in. Despite this, no actual laws exist to explicitly prohibit Canadians from playing at online casinos that are based offshore.
This is because these licensed overseas casinos do not have their servers based in Canada and no rules exist around gambling at them. For more information on offshore casinos that accept Canadian players, check out CasinoTopsOnline (Canada) today.
Online gambling in Canada: from 1985 to the present day
In the past, gambling in Canada was centrally controlled by the government through the Criminal Code. 1985, though, saw this change and an agreement was reached with provincial governments to regulate gambling within their own borders.
Since then, all Canadian provinces have been allowed to set out how gambling works in their area, and this includes online gambling at casino platforms. The Canadian Gambling Commission keeps an overall eye on the country’s gambling sector and ensures bettors are treated fairly.
Where do the various provinces stand on gambling at online casinos?
Although players all over Canada can play at licensed offshore casinos with no issue, it’s still a good idea to get a feel for how the various provinces regulate this activity. Here’s what you need to know:
- Alberta – online casino gambling is legal but only through the PlayAlberta site officially.
- British Columbia – online casino gambling is legal but only through the PlayNow site officially.
- Manitoba – online casino gambling is legal but only through the PlayNow site officially.
- New Brunswick – online gambling of any kind is not legal here.
- Newfoundland and Labrador – online gambling of any kind is not legal here.
- Northwest Territories – online gambling of any kind is not legal here.
- Nova Scotia – online gambling of any kind is not legal here.
- Ontario – the leader in Canadian online gambling, as seen by the launch of Ontario’s iGaming market in April 2022.
- Prince Edward Island – online gambling of any kind is not legal here.
- Quebec – online casino gambling is legal but only through the Espacejeux site officially.
- Saskatchewan – online gambling of any kind is not legal here.
- Yukon – online gambling of any kind is not legal here.
Who regulates online gambling in Canada?
Although the Canadian Gambling Commission maintains overall responsibility for online gambling in the country, each province that allows this activity has its own local governing body.
This includes:
- Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario
- Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission
- British Columbia Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch
- Kahnawake Gaming Commission
- Manitoba Gaming Control Commission
- Nova Scotia Alcohol and Gaming Authority
- Quebec Commission for Alcohol, Racing and Games
- Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority
It’s key to remember that each of these bodies has their own individual rules around online gambling within their borders. You should always double-check what the rules are for where you’re based before playing.
Which are the best casinos to gamble at online in Canada?
There’s no doubt that officially licensed sites in provinces like Quebec or Alberta remain safe and fun places to gamble online. Beyond this, though, there are some top-notch overseas casinos for Canadian gamers to consider signing up with.
Lemon Casino is one name that stands out and has a generous welcome bonus for new customers – plus a range of ongoing promos for existing users. It has over 4,000 games to choose from and this includes slots, table games and more. There is a range of trusted payment options to use and this includes being able to deposit via crypto.
Golden Panda is a popular choice with Canadian iGamers and the option to play using CAD explains this. This site also has masses of games to choose from, and this includes slots from the most iconic studios. Weekly cashback is a standout feature of playing here and rewards loyal players.
PlayOJO Casino offers quick payouts and instant deposits via a range of safe payment methods. The site itself is simple to use and makes it easy to find the games you want to try. This is also a great mobile casino and offers an enjoyable experience for those playing on the move.
What’s next for online gambling laws in Canada?
It’s never easy to make any concrete predictions for how the laws around online gambling in Canada might change moving ahead. One suggestion that seems sensible, though, is more provinces following Ontario’s lead and launching their very own iGaming markets.
Alberta is the biggest story here and has hit the headlines recently for working towards doing this. This is expected to happen at some point in 2025 and could pave the way for more provinces to follow. Residents are understandably excited about this and other upgrades in the province, including Alberta’s revamp of its electricity market
Online gambling laws in Canada
Online gambling is something that people all over the world like to stay entertained with. This is very true for people in Canada, where playing the best games at casinos online is a popular activity. It’s important to know the legality of gambling online in the country, though, and our guide above is the ideal place to start.
