Legalized online gambling is coming to Ontario and the cash-strapped Liberal government is betting it could mean an additional $400 million a year in revenue. But it has led to some ambiguous legal issues, as the legality of online gambling is constantly being challenged. There are differences in the legality of making bets, taking bets, facilitating payments to casinos, and advertising on websites. And there are constantly new legal challenges. So here is a breakdown of the law on online gambling. Gaming Opens Up. Before landmark changes to Canadian law in 1969 and 1985, gambling in Ontario was largely restricted to games of chance at summer fairs and parimutuel wagering on horse races. Is online gambling legal in Ontario? At the moment, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) is the sole entity that is approved to offer online gambling in the province, via the PlayOGA.ca website. For this reason, many players are turning to offshore online casinos, spending around CA$110 million in this way. In 2010, the government of Ontario turned to online gambling and PlayOlg.ca was born. OLG, which stands for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, is responsible for gambling in the region. In 2019, it was reported the total revenue from casinos was thought to be over C$8 million. ONLINE CASINOS SPORTS BETTING.
Over the years gambling has taken the US and Canada by storm, with players stacking up record-breaking wins in nearly every state. But with gambling laws subject to provincial and territorial laws in Canada, the rules regarding where and when you can play, can be a little confusing. Fortunately, our full guide below should help. On this page you’ll find:
- A full guide to provincial gambling laws in Canada
- Understanding illegal gambling
- Tips on how to stay safe and gamble responsibly
Is Online Gambling Legal in Canada?
Technically, online gambling is legal in Canada, provided the online Casino site you’re playing at is located offshore. Local laws apply, so it’s important to seek out only trusted casinos that are fully licensed and independently regulated.
Where the confusion lies is in the provincial laws, where gambling laws in Canada tends to differ from state to state.
According to gaming law experts, Dickinson Wright LLP
“Each province empowers an agency to act as the gaming regulator, and a separate provincial government-controlled corporation to conduct and manage gaming on the government’s behalf. The sole exception is the province of Alberta which merges those functions into a single government agency.”
published in Gaming, Gambling & Licensing, 2018 (public domain.)
In 2012, British Columbia launched the first regulated and fully legal casino in North America. The PlayNow site offers online casino games and a virtual poker room to anyone over the legal gambling age who wants to play. However, its virtual casino doors are only open to residents of British Columbia.
Canada Gambling Regulations
Prior to 1969, you couldn't bet on anything in Canada other than horse races, charity lotteries, and lotteries that you might find at fairs. But that year, the federal government changed the Criminal Code to allow the federal government and the 10 provinces to hold lotteries.
In 1985, the federal government decided to hand off all gambling to the provinces. But the Criminal Code didn't actually change in terms of what people can and can't gamble on. These were our takeaways:
The Criminal Code
Section 201 - states that it's illegal to run a betting house or to be found in one. But it doesn't make any mention of an online betting house, so it's not clear whether Canadian online casinos and poker sites fall under the code.
Section 203 – exempts people from placing bets on behalf of others.
Section 205 – suggests anyone in relation to lotteries of games of chance is guilty of an indictable offence.
Section 207 – permits provincial governments, as mentioned above, to manage lottery schemes alone or with other provincial governments. It also mentioned that lotteries are lawful for charitable or religious organisations if licenced by the Lieutenant Governor in council.
The Gambling Loophole
While most online gambling offices are located offshore, a majority of the servers for some of the world's most reputable online casinos are actually based right here at home in Canada.
In 1996, a native reserve called Kahnawake Mohawk Nation established the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, offering gaming licenses to online casinos they believe qualifed. While online gambling at the time was technically illegal in Canada, the Mohawk Nation argued that because they are their own sovereign nation, they therefore have the right to operate casinos.
Now here's where it gets tricky. The Kahnawake Mohawk Nation can essentially run a casino or at least lease space to all sorts of other online casinos from within Canadian borders and not be prosecuted. But private enterprises like horserace companies who operate legally within Canada are forbidden from operating online casinos or poker sites under the Criminal Code of Canada. But that's not to say no one hasn't tried.
Illegal Gambling
In 1995, a company called Starnet Communications was created in Vancouver with the goal of developing, licensing, and providing Internet gambling technology and websites for casinos and sportsbooks. Because of the sketchy Criminal Code, the company set up offshore companies to carry out operations of the site. But the RCMP wasn't impressed.
In 1999, they raided the Vancouver offices, arguing that because the email servers were located in Canada, they were in violation of the criminal code even though the gaming servers were located offshore. That's not to say that every company operating from Canada since 1999 has been in violation of the law, but those who just didn’t get away with it.
How to Avoid Illegal Casinos
The only way to avoid illegal casinos is to be aware of the law, and play on reputable, regulated casino sites. Before we endorse any online casino, our team of experts always check to ensure that the casino is licensed and meets our high standards of approval. Making the job for players even easier.
Gambling Laws in Canada Provinces
Alberta
Gambling is exceptionally popular in Alberta, with residents allowed to gamble at online casinos without any restrictions. It is also legal for those over the age of 18 to gamble at any of the 25 land-based casinos in the province. Sports betting is also popular, with players limited to making parlay style bets, and the maximum spend on sports betting is $250 per day.
Manitoba
The Liquor and Gaming Authority of Manitoba oversees all gambling in the province, including online gambling. There’s only one official online casino in the province, which is PlayNow Manitoba, however there are no laws stopping residents from playing at a casino based overseas. Sports gamblers can bet via the Sport Select site and are limited to a maximum of $250 in bets per day.
Quebec
Quebec has some of the most liberal gambling laws in Canada, with players able to play at a variety of offshore casinos, as well as at the government run Espacejeux. Mise-O-Jeu is the only regulated sports betting site in the province and players must bet on parlay bets. There are nine land-based casinos in Quebec, and they’re open to everyone aged 19 or over.
British Columbia
There are many legal forms of gambling in British Columbia, including 15 land-based casinos. When it comes to online gambling, the only official way to gamble on casino games and sport is via PlayNow, however there’s nothing in the law to prevent players from signing up with sites based abroad. As with most other sites, those betting on sport must place parlay bets.
New Brunswick
Land-based casinos are completely legal in New Brunswick, although there is only one venue in the province. There is no official government run online casino in New Brunswick, however those looking to play casino games online are legally allowed to play at offshore gambling websites. Pro-Line is the only regulated sports betting site offered to residents of this Canadian province.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Land-based casinos are not permitted in this province, plus there are no online casinos regulated there either. There is no law in place to stop gamblers in Newfoundland and Labrador from playing at offshore online casinos though. The Pro-Line service is offered to all sports gamblers, with daily wagers capped at $250, although this cap isn’t found at most sites based abroad.
Northwest Territories
There are no land-based casinos in the territory, however there are no laws to prevent one opening in the future. Online casinos are not blocked, but there are none based in the Northwest Territories. Sports betting is popular, with the only legal service being the one offered by Sport Select, however many choose to play at offshore sports betting sites instead.
Nova Scotia
Is Online Gambling Legal In Ontario Canada
It is perfectly legal to gamble in one of the two government-owned casinos in this province. Those looking to gamble online can place bets at the Pro-Line site (all bets must be parlays, as is the case in most Canadian provinces), while online casino players are permitted to join any offshore online casino website. The minimum age to gamble in the province is 19.
Ontario
In Ontario, it is completely legal to play at a land-based casino, plus many other venues also offer slot machines. The rules regarding online casinos are pretty relaxed, therefore residents can play at any foreign casino site - there is only one online casino regulated in Ontario though, and it’s PlayOLG. The Pro-Line sports betting service is offered to those looking to bet on sports.
Prince Edward Island
There are no legal obstacles in the way of land-based casinos in Prince Edward Island, however there’s not currently a dedicated casino operating in the province. There is no regulation of online casinos, however those looking to bet on sports legally will have to use the Pro-Line service. The minimum age to bet on sports and play casino games in this province is 19.
Saskatchewan
Online casinos are prohibited from being based in Saskatchewan, however residents are not blocked from accessing casinos based in other provinces or countries. It is legal to base a land-based casino in Saskatchewan though. Sports betting is legal, providing it is done via the Sports Select service, and all wagers placed on sporting events (except horse racing) must be parlay bets.
Yukon Territory
Casinos are prohibited from opening permanently in the Yukon Territory, however licences are granted to temporary gambling venues, which can open for a maximum of three days. It is legal to play at online casinos, however none are licenced and regulated within the territory. Residents will find that Sports Select is the only service offering legal sports betting options.
New Gambling Laws in Canada?
With such disparity between Canadian provincial laws, it’s difficult to say the current laws will be reformed anytime soon. What's more likely is that gambling laws in Canada will become more liberal. With a deeper clarification of the Criminal Code, online gambling could be permitted across all states with no restrictions.
Unfortunately, if the government were to welcome competition with open arms, the provincial governments would be, well, up in arms since they have the exclusive legal right to run online casinos. Only time will tell.
While it might be tough to operate an online casino from Canada, finding a Canadian online casino to play at, which ironically might be located in Canada, isn't difficult at all. We have tons of reputable choices, both in terms of provincially run options and internationally regulated sites. And we're willing to bet that it will stay that way for a long, long time.
Online Gambling Law In Ontario
The following is a summary, compiled from the statutes and regulations from the corresponding government websites. It is meant as a guide to assist in placing campaigns related to online gambling advertising. It is recommended that the official legislation and legal counsel be consulted before undertaking or accepting any advertising for all purposes of interpretation and application of the law.
Governed by the Canadian Criminal Code, federal jurisdiction
- The Criminal Code of Canada (Code) defines what types of gaming activities are illegal in Canada, and the provinces are assigned responsibility to operate, license and regulate legal forms of gaming.
- Part VII of the Code prohibits gaming in general, while section 207 allows for a number of exceptions to the general prohibition. Specifically, it permits “lottery schemes” provided that they are:
- Lottery schemes “conducted and managed” by the province in accordance with any law enacted by that province
- Lottery schemes “conducted and managed” by a licensed charitable or religious organization pursuant to a license issued by a provincial authority, provided that the proceeds of the lottery scheme are used for a charitable or religious purpose
- Lottery schemes “conducted and managed” by a licensed board of a fair or exhibition or by an operator of a concession leased by that board
- Canadian laws allow provincial governments to conduct and manage lotteries and games of chance that are operated on or through a computer, such as Internet casinos; however, in most circumstances, it is a crime in Canada for anyone else to run an online gaming operation.
- Advertising of online gaming services, involving the exchange of money, according to Canadian authorities is illegal. There are some who disagree citing loopholes like the location of the hosting server, while deemed illegal by the attorney general, no legal action has been taken. There are not many media outlets who would risk criminal prosecution to test the validity of this position.
- Based on member company experience, advertising promoting the following appear to be acceptable, but do not constitute official gambling sites:
- Free game play websites
- Promoting gaming websites ending in “.net”
- No official documentation was found to support this
For detailed information, visit:
Part VII, Sections 201, 206 and 207 of the Canadian Criminal Code
Section 31. of the Gaming Control Act
Amendments current as of: June 2016
Date of COMMB update: September 2019