2023 Online Gambling Laws in Canada
Canada’s online gambling laws are originally based on the country’s Criminal Code. Prior to 1969, when the Canadian Government reformed this legislature, people could only wager on charity lotteries and horse races at funfairs. Fast-forward to 1985, the federal government ruled that Canada’s 10 provinces should control their own casino and sports betting regulation.
Some provinces have recently made big moves in their online gambling regulation. On 4 April 2022, Ontario opened its market to regulated private online casinos and sportsbooks. LeoVegas, 888, and FanDuel were some of the first operators to launch in the province. In December 2021, Alberta announced its intention to approve two private sportsbook operators to its regulated gambling market, but plans are still in discussion. With these recent changes to Canada’s online gambling market, we expect more updates to follow. Stay up-to-date on the latest developments in online casino regulations in your province with our guides below.
Province: Alberta
🔞 Legal Gambling Age: 18+
âš–ï¸ Gambling Regulator: Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission
🎰 Permitted Forms of Online Gambling: casino; sports; live dealer; lottery
Province: British Columbia
🔞 Legal Gambling Age: 19+
âš–ï¸ Gambling Regulator: British Columbia Lottery Corporation
🎰 Permitted Forms of Online Gambling: casino; sports; live dealer; lottery
Province: Manitoba
🔞 Legal Gambling Age: 18+
âš–ï¸ Gambling Regulator: Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba
🎰 Permitted Forms of Online Gambling: casino; sports; live dealer; lottery; bingo
Province: New Brunswick
🔞 Legal Gambling Age: 19+
âš–ï¸ Gambling Regulator: New Brunswick Lotteries & Gaming Corporation
🎰 Permitted Forms of Online Gambling: casino; sports; live dealer; lottery
Province: Newfoundland and Labrador
🔞 Legal Gambling Age: 19+
âš–ï¸ Gambling Regulator: Atlantic Lottery Cooperation
🎰 Permitted Forms of Online Gambling: sports; lottery; bingo
Province: Nova Scotia
🔞 Legal Gambling Age: 19+
âš–ï¸ Gambling Regulator: Nova Scotia Alcohol and Gaming Division
🎰 Permitted Forms of Online Gambling: casino; sports; lottery
Province: Ontario
🔞 Legal Gambling Age: 19+
âš–ï¸ Gambling Regulator: Alcohol and Gambling Commission of Ontario
🎰 Permitted Forms of Online Gambling: casino; sports; live dealer; lottery; bingo
Province: Prince Edward Island
🔞 Legal Gambling Age: 19+
âš–ï¸ Gambling Regulator: Atlantic Lottery Cooperation
🎰 Permitted Forms of Online Gambling: casino; sports; lottery; bingo
Province: Quebec
🔞 Legal Gambling Age: 18+
âš–ï¸ Gambling Regulator: Quebec Alcohol, Racing, and Gaming Commission
🎰 Permitted Forms of Online Gambling: casino; sports; live dealer; lottery; bingo
Province: Saskatchewan
🔞 Legal Gambling Age: 18+
âš–ï¸ Gambling Regulator: Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority or the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority
🎰 Permitted Forms of Online Gambling: casino; sports; live dealer; lottery; bingo
Alberta Gambling Guide 2023
Legal gambling age: 18+ for online and land-based casinos.
Gambling regulator: Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission
Number of land-based casinos: 27+
Government-owned online casinos: PlayAlberta
Overview of Alberta Gambling
Gambling is popular in Alberta — over 4% of the province’s revenue is sourced from betting. The organization that oversees all gambling regulation in the province is the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission.
Residents of Alberta can gamble online at casino sites and sportsbooks with no limitations.
Alberta players do not have to pay any taxes on winnings from casino games, sportsbooks, or poker sites.
British Columbia Gambling Guide 2023
Legal gambling age: 19+ for online and land-based casinos.
Gambling regulator: British Columbia Lottery Corporation
Number of land-based casinos: 17+
Government-owned online casinos: PlayNow
Overview of British Columbia Gambling
People have been gambling in British Columbia for years, but it wasn’t until July 2010 that the British Columbia Lottery Corporation established the first government-run online casino. Today British Columbians can gamble on casino games, sports betting, and poker at both land-based venues and online provincial and offshore casino sites.
Players are not required to pay taxes on their winnings if they aren’t gambling professionally.
Manitoba Gambling Guide 2023
Legal gambling age: 18+ for online and land-based casinos.
Gambling regulator: Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba
Number of land-based casinos: 6+
Government-owned online casinos: PlayNow
Overview of Manitoba Gambling
The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba regulates all casinos, sports betting, and poker games in the province. Manitoba’s capital, Winnipeg, hosts half of all brick-and-mortar casinos in the province. Only professional bettors are required to pay taxes on winnings from gambling, which is good news for most players.
Manitoba’s only provincial online casino, PlayNow, launched in 2013. Like other provincial gambling sites, only players residing in Manitoba can play with this casino.
New Brunswick Gambling Guide 2023
Legal gambling age: 19+ for online and land-based casinos.
Gambling regulator: New Brunswick Lotteries & Gaming Corporation
Number of land-based casinos: 2+
Government-owned online casinos: None.
Overview of New Brunswick Gambling
New Brunswick players can enjoy sports betting and casino games including slots and table games, as well as poker. All gambling in the province is regulated by the New Brunswick Lotteries & Gaming Corporation.
If you aren’t a professional gambler, you aren’t required to pay tax on winnings from gambling online or land-based casinos.
Unlike other provinces, New Brunswick has no regulated online casino. While offshore casino sites are not welcome in New Brunswick, Canadian players are permitted to play with these online casinos.
Newfoundland & Labrador Gambling Guide 2023
Legal gambling age: 19+ for sports betting
Gambling regulator: Atlantic Lottery
Number of land-based casinos: None.
Government-owned online casinos: None.
Overview of Newfoundland & Labrador Gambling
There’s good reason NL is known as the least gambling-friendly province in Canada.
Newfoundland & Labrador is the only province in Canada that doesn’t have any land-based casinos. In fact, NL is the only Canada province that has not legalized casino gambling. However, there are small signs NL’s stance towards online gambling is changing. The province launched single-game sports betting on August 27, 2021. While NL has no formal plans to add casino games to this roster currently, players should come back later for more updates. Players can still enjoy their favorite games with offshore online casinos when in Newfoundland & Labrador.
Nova Scotia Gambling Guide 2023
Legal gambling age: 19+ for online and land-based casinos.
Gambling regulator: Nova Scotia Alcohol and Gaming Division
Number of land-based casinos: 2+
Government-owned online casinos: None.
Overview of Nova Scotia Gambling
The Nova Scotia Alcohol and Gaming Division oversee all gambling minus horse racing in the province. Casinos, sports betting, and lotteries are permitted to operate in the province, but can only be found in age-restricted venues.
Around 87% of residents in Nova Scotia gamble. While the province doesn’t have its own regulated online casino, players frequently visit one of the numerous casino sites based outside of Canada.
Ontario Gambling Guide 2023
Legal gambling age: 19+ for online and land-based casinos.
Gambling regulator: Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario
Number of land-based casinos: 71+
Government-owned online casinos: OLG.ca
Overview of Ontario Gambling
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario is responsible for gambling in the province. On April 4, 2022, the province opened its regulated gambling market to private operators. Today, Ontarian players can enjoy casino games, sports betting, and poker games, which we cover in more detail in our Ontario guides:
- Ontario online casinos
- Ontario sports betting
In Ontario, a player’s winnings from gambling online or in a land-based site are not taxed, as long as you are not a professional gambler. Ontario has one provincial online casino: www.OLG.ca. It only accepts players that reside within the province of Ontario.
Prince Edward Island Gambling Guide 2023
Legal gambling age: 19+ for online and land-based casinos.
Gambling regulator: Atlantic Lottery Corporation
Number of land-based casinos: 2+
Government-owned online casinos: None.
Overview of Prince Edward Island Gambling
Prince Edward Island (PEI) is the smallest province in Canada and has one of the lowest gambling rates in the country. The Atlantic Lottery Corporation in PEI regulates all land-based gambling in the province, which includes sports betting and ‘racinos’, which combine harness racing and casino games. PEI residents are legally permitted to gamble online with sites based overseas, though.
Quebec Gambling Guide 2023
Legal gambling age: 18+ for online and land-based casinos.
Gambling regulator: Quebec Alcohol, Racing, and Gaming Commission
Number of land-based casinos: 9+
Government-owned online casinos: Espace Jeux
Overview of Quebec Gambling
For more than four decades, Quebec has offered its residents gambling opportunities. Casino games, sports betting, and poker are all regulated by the Quebec Alcohol, Racing, and Gaming Commission. Currently, the province has nine land-based casinos, a racetrack, and various sports betting outlets. As gambling grows in popularity in Quebec, more operators are opening.
Online gambling is popular in the province. Quebecers are legally permitted to gamble online, either through government-regulated sites or casinos and sportsbooks located outside of Canada. Unless a player is a professional gambler, they do not have to pay taxes on winnings in Quebec.
Espace Jeux is Quebec’s popular government-regulated provincial online casino. Only residents in Quebec are allowed to play at this site.
Saskatchewan Gambling Guide 2023
Legal gambling age: 18+ for online and land-based casinos.
Gambling regulator: Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority or the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority
Number of land-based casinos: 8+
Government-owned online casinos: None.
Overview of Saskatchewan Gambling
According to Statistics Canada, Saskatchewan residents spend more on gambling than any other Canadian province. Casino games, sports betting, and poker are all permitted in the province and regulated by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority or the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority if operated by a First Nations tribe.
Players do not have to pay tax on any of their winnings if they do not gamble professionally.
There is no provincial online casino regulated by the Saskatchewan Government. Players are permitted to gamble online with casino sites, sportsbooks, and poker rooms located outside of Canada.
Can Canadians play with offshore online casinos?
When it comes to online gambling, Canadians are legally permitted to play with online casinos located outside of Canada, and with online casinos hosted on native reserves, such as Kahnawake. Generally, casinos in Canada run as charitable and commercial operations to ensure that local communities benefit from the proceeds of gambling.
Given these variations, provincial gambling laws can be confusing for players. If in doubt, we always recommend consulting the official provincial legislation for guidance.
Popular Online Casino Games in Canada
Players can find their favorite casino games online, with more chances to win real money. Discover the most popular casino games to play in Canada or find new online games to enjoy based on players in your area.
1. Poker
Bring the excitement of real money poker games to your screen. Whether it’s Texas Hold’em or three-card poker, there’s a real money poker room for every budget and ability level.
2. Blackjack
This casino card game is simple to learn and great for beginners. Learn blackjack rules so you can be playing games in minutes. Experienced players can try out some new blackjack strategies on real money blackjack games.
3. Bingo
Have fun chatting with other players and win real money in the process. Online bingo games are exciting, easy to play, and offer decent jackpots. Learn simple tips to improve your chances of winning and find the best bingo games to play with us.
4. Slots
With record-breaking jackpots and exciting gameplay, slots provide some of the most popular online titles for players in Canada. Try some free slot games now, or find the best online slots to play for real money.
5. Roulette
Players can get the same thrills from the spinning wheel by playing online with live dealer roulette. There’s little skill to this table game, but learning roulette payouts and the best bets to make can help you win real money.
6. Baccarat
This fast-paced card game promises a low house edge and potentially big rewards for bets. With simple gameplay and good payouts, it’s easy to see why baccarat is so popular at Canadian online casinos.
7. Craps
Visit any casino, and the loudest table games are always craps. With few rules, a low house edge, and a wide variety of bets, there are endless ways players can win real money in craps. Our craps payout guide will help you find the best bets with the biggest rewards.
8. Video Poker
Players are drawn to video poker due to its low house edge, and that it offers better odds than slots. This classic casino game comes in many variations, so check out our video poker guide to find the best one for your bankroll.
9. Scratch Cards
Online casinos offer a variety of unique and fun scratch cards. Expect the same big real money jackpots and instant play, but with new themes and slick graphics.
10. Live Dealer Games
Live dealer games bring the same excitement of a casino floor to your living room. Discover what live dealer games you can enjoy straight away with our guide.
Real Money Online Casinos in Canada
More than 30 million Canadians play at casinos each year, yet an increasing number are choosing to gamble online. Not only is it more convenient, but online casinos provide more opportunities to win real money, and players face fewer restrictions when gambling online. Here are just a few reasons to swap to real money online casinos:
More Game Choice
Online casinos aren’t restricted by buildings, meaning they can host hundreds more games compared to land-based casinos. Not only that, but they can add new titles with ease.
Better Bonuses
Players may receive free drinks or meals at land-based casinos, but casino sites upstage these perks by offering better casino bonuses. Free credit means more chances at winning cash.
Bigger Jackpots
Online casinos have fewer overheads, meaning they can give their players bigger jackpots than land-based casinos.
Mobile Gaming Options
With mobile gambling apps, you can enjoy your favorite casino games, no matter where you go.
Enjoy Games 24/7
Not all players live near a land-based casino. With casino sites, bettors can play their favorite games anytime, anywhere.
Free Online Casino Games
Not ready to play for real money? No problem — players in Canada can enjoy thousands of free online casino games, with no download or registration required. Online casinos are legally allowed to offer free games or demo versions of their titles to Canadian players. Free casino games offer a range of benefits, even if you just want to play for fun:
- No sign-up or download required
- Play 1,000s of games for free
- Trial new games before playing for money
Online Casino Bonuses
Casino bonuses bring an exciting and valuable element to online gambling. They extend bankrolls and give players free gameplay, meaning you have more chances to win a huge jackpot. The best real money casinos in Canada offer a range of promotions to players. To help you find the top casino bonuses, use our guide below:
Welcome Bonus
New sign-ups to a casino site can receive a welcome bonus, which is usually given as a specific amount of free credit in addition to their first deposit.
Match Bonus
The online casino matches the amount of money you deposit to a certain percentage.
Free Spins
Generally found with slot games, this casino bonus gives players free spins on the reels, with the same chances of winning real money.
No Deposit Bonus
One of the most popular promotions, casinos give no deposit bonuses to players after they have registered. The amounts are usually small but useful for trying out a new casino site risk-free.
Mobile Bonus
Online casinos will either match a deposit or credit a player’s account by a specific amount if they play games on their mobile browser or app.
Cashback Bonus
With this percentage-based perk, casinos return a portion of a player’s bankroll if they play during a set timeframe or on specific games.
Referral Bonus
If a player refers a friend to a casino site and they register, the online casino will deposit a set amount of cash in the player’s account.
Loyalty Bonus
This is a great bonus for players that have a favorite casino. In return for their dedication, an online casino will give players cashback rewards.
VIP Bonus
Online casinos reward high rollers with a special loyalty scheme. Expect exclusive casino bonuses, a dedicated account manager, and better prizes than regular reward schemes with this casino bonus.
Always check the terms and conditions of a casino bonus before depositing funds. Typically, these can have wagering requirements, time limits, minimum deposit limits, or specific game restrictions that players must comply with to receive the bonus. We also recommend players choose a casino bonus that best suits their bankroll and gameplay style. No deposit bonuses may suit low rollers more, but high stakes players will appreciate the huge cash injection from a match bonus.
Popular Online Casino Payment Methods in Canada
When playing for real money, players should consider which banking option best suits their preferences. Online casinos accept a range of payment methods, but the benefits or disadvantages of each one can vary. While some methods offer strong security safeguards, others will offer lower fees or faster payouts. Players should decide which factors they prioritize most and choose based on these criteria.
Interac
This payment option gives players seamless payment transactions and low deposit fees. As it’s a Canadian debit card, though, not all online casinos will accept this banking method for withdrawals.
eCheck
Electronic checks offer a direct link between the online casino and the player’s bank. This gives players strong security protection and low banking fees but slightly longer payout speeds.
Instadebit
Players can enjoy near-instant payout speeds and very low transaction fees with this payment option. However, not all offshore online casinos accept this Canadian payment option.
iDebit
Like Instadebit, iDebit is an eWallet digital service that provides direct transactions between banks and casino sites. It charges a flat $2 withdrawal fee, which is particularly helpful for bettors.
Visa
Arguably the most popular credit card in the world, Visa is accepted by most online casinos.
MasterCard
Similar to Visa, Mastercard is accepted at most online casinos worldwide. Some online casinos may charge a 2% withdrawal fee for Mastercard transactions.
Bank Transfer
The bank may charge players for online gambling transactions, but it offers low risk of identity theft, lower fees, and near-instant transactions.
Muchbetter
Players will love this mobile-based eWallet, as it provides free deposits and withdrawals from bank accounts.
Maestro
This debit card offers equally speedy transactions as credit cards, but with no surprise charges.
Unfortunately, some popular payment options, such as PayPal, do not currently operate with online casinos in Canada. We recommend using one of the eWallet options above as an alternative.
Biggest Online Casino Jackpot Winners in Canada
With fewer overheads and a wider variety of games, online casinos offer players bigger jackpots than land-based casinos. Every day, hundreds of players in Canada win real money playing casino games online. The jackpots can be small or even reach life-changing amounts.
Discover which online casino games have triggered the biggest jackpots, and where you can play them, using the chart below:
| Casino | Jackpot Winner | Jackpot Size | Game Played |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zodiac Casino | Anonymous | $20m | Mega Moolah |
| JackpotCity | Anonymous | $16.5m | Mega Moolah |
| Yako Casino | Marcus Goodwin | $11.6m | Mega Moolah |
| Undisclosed | Anonymous | $9.95m | Mega Moolah |
| JackpotCity | Anonymous | $5.9m | Mega Moolah |
| Woodbine Racetrack | Anonymous | $4.7m | Megabucks |
| Casino Rewards | Anonymous | $4.4m | Mega Moolah |
| Undisclosed | Anonymous | $4m | Mega Moolah |
| Captain Cooks | Anonymous | $3m | Mega Moolah |
| Yukon Gold | Anonymous | $3m | Mega Moolah |
| Grand Mondial | Anonymous | $3m | Mega Moolah |
Choosing the Best Online Gambling Site in Canada
There are hundreds of online gambling sites to choose from, which is why we’re here to help our players find the best. Before depositing any cash in an online casino or poker site, make sure it meets the recommended criteria from our experts:
License/Regulation
First, check whether a site is licensed and regulated by an independent body or your local province’s gaming authority, such as iGaming Ontario, eCOGRA, the Malta Gambling Authority, or the UK Gambling Commission. This means the site is regularly inspected for fair play and randomness.
Security
As part of their licensing requirements, a casino site must have stringent security measures in place to protect users’ details and funds.
Bonuses & Promotions
A legit and trusted online casino will have fair terms and conditions for its promotions. Our casino reviews compare each casino’s bonuses against the rest of the industry to help our players make smart choices online.
Game Variety
The best online casinos and poker sites offer hundreds of games and regularly update their portfolios with new titles.
Fast Payouts
Online gambling sites should offer fast payouts, depositing winnings in hours or days, through a range of banking options.
Mobile Gaming
Any online casino or poker site should be optimized for mobile browsing or have its own app to deliver the best mobile gaming experience.
Fun Gameplay
Whether players want to play casino games for free or win real money, all online casino games must have sharp graphics and entertaining themes.
Are Online Gambling Sites in Canada Safe?
When gambling online, players want to know their details and money are protected. Online casinos understand this, which is why they take considerable efforts to protect their players’ personal information and funds. Regulatory bodies also inspect an online casino’s security before awarding a license. This means players can enjoy safe, secure gameplay at licensed online casinos. Here are just a few security features real money online casinos use to protect its players:
Secure Sockets Layers (SSL)
This encryption is used by banks, stores, and online casinos worldwide to protect players’ details from being stolen. Any licensed casino site will have this security feature.
SHA-3 Hash Algorithm
All trusted online casinos will have Random Number Generators (RNGs) to keep their games fair, but SHA-3 protects this software from tampering.
Hybrid RSA Encryption
Online casinos use this cryptosystem during transactions to prevent any unauthorized third parties from intercepting this information or being able to use it.
Random Number Generators
This software keeps online casino games truly random and fair for players. A licensed online casino will have its RNGs tested regularly by the governing body to ensure they promote safe gameplay.
No real money online casino is added to our site without undergoing a comprehensive review process. We only recommend licensed operators that employ all the security features mentioned above.
Responsible Gambling in Canada
Online casino games are fun, but everyone needs to quit spinning the reels at some point. If you or a loved one is unable to stop betting, it’s time to seek help. Don’t wait until your online gambling habit creates negative life-changing consequences.
There’s a range of gambling addiction support groups and charities in Canada, including GamTalk and the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), which offer online and in-person support across all regions. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and Gamblers Anonymous can also help you find local support in your province. You can find more information on setting healthy betting habits with our responsible gambling guide.
Is online gambling legal in Canada?
Most provinces in Canada operate their own online casinos and sportsbooks. Players can legally gamble on these betting sites. Canadian players are legally allowed to gamble at retail online casinos if they are located outside of Canada. Read our guide to legal online gambling in Canada’s provinces to learn more.
How old do you have to be to gamble online in Canada?
This varies between provinces, but the legal age to gamble online is generally 19 in half of Canada’s provinces and territories. The exceptions are Alberta, Calgary, Manitoba, Montreal, Ottawa, and Quebec, where the minimum legal gambling age is 18.
Are casino winnings taxable in Canada?
Provinces have their own legislation, but most operate under the rule that as long as you are not a professional gambler, you do not have to pay taxes on casino winnings.
What is the best online casino in Canada?
Players can find the best online casinos to play in Canada on our recommended list of operators.
Which online casino pays the quickest?
While most online casinos pay out winnings within 1-3 days, it can take longer depending on the payment method used by the player. Some banking options follow check procedures, which means it can take them longer to deposit funds in the player’s account.
Has anyone won big at an online casino?
Plenty of players have won huge jackpots playing on casinos online, even breaking Guinness World Records. We’ve found the 10 biggest jackpot winners of online casino games and the games they played.
