Is Gambling Legal In Canada

Canada has not always been the pro-gambling territory that it is now. Prior to the 1970s, the criminal code allowed very little when it came to gambling entertainment. Over the years, slowly, the nation has gone from ‘No Way’ to a fairly gambling friendly region. You will find a significant number of legally licensed, brick and mortar gambling destinations throughout the country. You will also find provincially governed online gambling businesses that offer their residents a sophisticated interactive gaming experience from the comfort of their own homes. Lastly, but certainly not least, Canadian residents can legally enjoy offshore Internet gambling sites as long as they are legally licensed and regulated.

• Is Sports Gambling Legal In Canada
• Why Is Online Gambling Illegal
• Is Sports Gambling Legal In Canada

There are no provisions within Canada’s Criminal Code that make it a crime for players to participate in legally sanctioned online gambling entertainment. This includes both provincially governed gambling sites and licensed offshore gambling sites. Pennsylvania online gambling has reached biggest success within public, promoting numerous events and games. It is 100% legal and secure. If Vegas is mecca for rich people, spending thousands on hotel, planes and restaurants, we can call PA online gambling is a starting point for everyone.

Understanding and navigating the gambling laws in Canada are no simple feat. Being able to distinguish between legal and illegal gambling opportunities has become more complex and challenging for all involved. This guide was created to serve the gambling community in Canada by providing insight into the legal status of various gambling platforms, including land based gambling and online gambling. We provide information that is critical to understanding what players are facing in CA. This information is also extremely valuable for those players wishing to make informed decisions regarding gambling entertainment. We have an entire section of our resource guide dedicated to explaining Canadian Gambling Laws.

Bottom Line Regarding Legal Canadian Gambling Options

Canadians essentially have 2 legal online gambling options available to them. They can choose to play with the local government licensed casinos or lottery sites which are owned and regulated directly by the providence (only a handful exist), or they can choose to play at an offshore gambling site. Both options are 100% legal as there are currently no laws at all that prohibit CA residents from playing for real money via an offshore site. And that’s exactly what most Canadians do since local options are extremely limited. Plus the offshore sites offer much more in the way of bonuses and perks compared to the local sites.

Most Trusted Online Gambling Sites Open To Canadian Players – Play In CAD

The following online gambling sites accept all Canadian players and allow real money gambling in (CAD currency). These sites have been thoroughly vetted by our team of professionals and are well regarded as reputable sites within the online gaming community. Most of our team lives right here in Canada and knows the industry inside and out. In short we love to gamble just like everyone else and will only recommend the highest rated sites to our visitors that we know are trustworthy and pay out winners without the bs.

Frequently Asked Questions Related To Gambling In Canada

Is It Legal To Gamble In Canada?

To answer this question, one must understand the legal landscape that surrounds the gambling industry in Canada. There are no laws in the Criminal Code that prohibit CA players from enjoying gambling entertainment from legally licensed and regulated businesses. It is illegal to operate an online gambling site or brick and mortar gambling business without acquiring the proper licensing. Once licensed, every gambling business must adhere to strict regulatory oversight. The key to staying on the legal side of the tracks when it comes to gambling in Canada is to make sure you restrict your gambling entertainment to only those destinations that are legitimately licensed. Visit our page on Land Based Gambling Laws in Canada for more insight into brick and mortar options that are present in Canada.

Is Online Gambling Legal In Canada?

There are no provisions within Canada’s Criminal Code that make it a crime for players to participate in legally sanctioned online gambling entertainment. This includes both provincially governed gambling sites and licensed offshore gambling sites. This means it is perfectly legal at this time for Canadian players to enjoy online gambling from betting sites at home and abroad. You can learn more from our guide to CA Online Gambling Laws. This guide includes recommendations for legally licensed and reputable gambling sites that have been vetted and approved by our team of industry professionals.

What Is The Legal Gambling Age For Canadians?

A few territories such as Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec allow anyone over the age of 18 to gamble. The rest of the provinces require players to be at least 19 years of age. This is true for both land based brick and mortar casinos or internet gambling sites.

Are Canadians Required To Pay Taxes On Winnings?

This is one area where Canadian players should feel very lucky. Canada does not tax casino winnings or on any game of chance. In other countries the government takes anywhere from 30%-50% right off the top, so not being required to pay taxes on winnings is a very big deal.

What Types Of Gambling Options Are Available To Canadian Residents?

Due to the pro-gambling stance that Canada has taken, there is a nice variety of online gambling venues to choose from. Below we’ve listed the most popular options available and relevant information about each.

Sports Betting: Canadian sports betting is one of the few types of gambling that is permitted through national law rather than provincial law. It is included as a specific exception to the Criminal Code and is permitted via a three team minimum parlay wager. Bill C290 is attempting to remove the 3 team minimum requirement to allow wagering on single games and matches. There are multiple sports betting outlets throughout Canada, as well as online options. There are a lot of complaints regarding Canada based sports gambling due to high betting limits and lines that are not competitive with the offshore sportsbooks. Players are not required to fulfill the three event parlay wager at the international offshore sportsbooks. There is a handful of high quality, legally licensed offshore sportsbooks that accept Canadian players. We’ve listed the leading destinations in our legal online sports betting in Canada guide.

Online Casinos: Canadian online casinos are available through local, provincially regulated destinations and from licensed and regulated offshore online casino sites. Those residents who do not live within a province that offers online casino gaming action will find that the offshore Canadian friendly online casinos are a great option for this type of entertainment.

Online Poker: Like casino gambling and sports betting, Canadian online poker is available through both the individual province channels and through legally licensed online poker rooms that are located offshore. In fact, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission has licensed some of the industry’s leading online poker destinations, including Bodog and Bovada.

Additional options include pari-mutuel wagering, bingo and lottery, all of which can be accessed either through provincial based gambling sites or licensed offshore gambling destinations.

Do These Offshore Sites Allow Me To Play In Local Canadian CAD Currency?

Yes, because we only recommend the biggest and most reputable sites, they have the ability to offer real money gambling in local currencies such as offering CAD dollars to Canuck players.

How Do Gambling Bonuses Work?

Every online betting site offers some type of welcome bonus or reward to new players. They do this because online gambling is a very competitive market, and they need to offer enticing bonuses to attract new players and sustain growth. The most basic bonus is called a deposit or match bonus which means the casino or site will match your first deposit up to a certain amount. A good example is if a casino was offering a 100% matching bonus, and you deposit $500, you would have $1,000 to play with as they basically matched your first deposit in full. Of course there are terms and conditions that players need to be aware of, so make sure you read and understand the terms of any promotion you take advantage of.

Are These Offshore Betting Sites Really Legitimate?

Well not every online gambling site you see on the web is legitimate, that’s for sure. But we can guarantee that the sites listed on legalgamblingcanada.com are all very reputable sites. One of the sites “Bet365” is actually a multi billion dollar company. They did 1.5 billion in revenue in just 2015 alone. That’s an interesting tidbit to know as a gambler. They didn’t get that big by being shoddy or by jerking players around. Instead they actually pay their winners when they request a cashout. They run their gambling business like a well oiled machine and come correct in every way. And the other sites we recommend are all just as reputable with an excellent history with paying players, offering fair casino games, superb customer support and more. These are all characteristics that we look at before even being considered to be listed here. It’s why you only see only a few sites listed for each category. Because we are very keen on delivering only the 5 star Canadian friendly gambling sites that we know will take very good care of anyone we send their way. From one gambler to another, trust me you want to play with the top rated sites that have a good history. It will save you headaches and dollars down the road.

Who Regulates Gambling In CA?

This gaming commission is located in Canada, but does not regulate any of the provincially licensed gambling sites that are operating in the country. They actually regulate both land based and online gambling for businesses located within the Kahnawake Territory. This region is considered to be a sovereign nation and oversee several of the most respected Canadian friendly gambling sites on the Internet. Learn more about them on our page dedicated to the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.

Which Provinces/States Offer Legal Gambling Options To Canadian Residents?

Here is an overview of the larger provinces and what types of gambling options are available at each one. Keep in mind that while provincial online gambling may be restricted to residents of that particular province, Canadian friendly offshore online gambling sites are open to all CA players.

Alberta – Alberta is Canada’s most populous province and offers quite a few land based casinos. Alberta does not yet have any provincially licensed online gambling options, but is expected to move in that direction sometime this year. Residents do have access to international online gambling sites that are legally licensed and regulated outside of CA.

British Columbia – British Columbia originally offered online lottery tickets and sports betting options back in 2004. They later added poker, bingo and online casino games. Licensed offshore gambling sites are also an option. Gambling is regulated by the British Columbia Lottery Corp (BCLC).

Manitoba – This province offers online casino games, poker and sports betting through a provincial partnership with British Columbia.

Brunswick – Residents in this province have access to online bingo, interactive games, and lotteries through the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC). Online poker and casino games are expected to be integrated into their offerings in the near future.

Newfoundland – The online gambling options in this province are the result of a partnership with ALC, and include bingo, lotteries, interactive gaming and sports betting. As of 2010, the province rejected any expansion to their online gambling offerings. Residents of Newfoundland that seek online casino games or poker will need to visit a legally licensed offshore gambling site.

Northwest Territory – The Western Canada Lottery Corporation permits legal online and land based gambling in this province. As of this writing, there are no provincially run gambling sites operating in the Northwest Territory. This being said, legal offshore gambling sites will gladly accept citizens residing in this province.

Nova Scotia – The ALC provides online gambling options for Nova Scotia, including lotteries, interactive games, bingo and sports betting. The region declined to include any type of online casino games, deciding against forming their own provincially regulated gaming industry. Casino enthusiasts in Nova Scotia can visit our recommended offshore online gambling sites for expanding gaming options.

Nunavut Territory – Despite the fact that the Western Canada Lottery Corp allows legal online gambling in this region, there are no provincially run gambling sites operating here. Residents in this territory must rely on legally sanctioned offshore gambling sites to enjoy online betting options.

Ontario – Ontario is considered to be one of the more progressive provinces in CA when it comes to online gambling, however their online gambling initiative has not yet launched. Until then, Ontario residents can enjoy legitimate online gambling options at one of our recommended Canadian friendly gambling sites.

Prince Edward Island – Another ALC partner, this province offers its residents online bingo, lotteries, interactive gaming, sports betting and pari-mutuel wagering. Online casino and poker gambling is pending the ALC receiving permission for expanding their offerings.

Quebec – The Quebec province is one of the few offering their residents online casino gambling opportunities through a provincially governed gambling site. For poker and sports betting options, Quebec residents can check out our preferred offshore betting sites for an expanded range of options.

Saskatchewan – This conservative province has banned land based casino gambling in their region, and has indicated that they will not be allowing online gambling within the province. The good news is that residents of the Saskatchewan province are welcome at a number of legally sanctioned offshore betting sites.

The Criminal Code of Canada makes it illegal to gamble or conduct any gambling activities within Canada unless they fall within exceptions set out in the Criminal Code.

The Criminal Code of 1892/1910
First enacted in 1892, the Criminal Code has undergone many changes over the years to tolerate gambling under certain conditions. A 1910 amendment permitted pari-mutuel betting, which is a form of gambling in which winners get paid from a pool after the authorities take their cut first. The 1910 amendment allowed occasional games of chance provided that all profits were used for charitable or religious purposes and, also, games at agricultural fairs and exhibitions.

Is Sports Gambling Legal In Canada

The Canadian Government Law
The Canadian government made betting-related changes to the Criminal Code in 1970, expanding the exceptions and leading to the creation of a multi-billion dollar gambling industry in Canada. For example, Canada’s first commercial casino opened in Winnipeg in 1989 and now they are such facilities in most of the country’s provinces. A large number of local governments are operating what are known as video lottery terminals, which, instead of vending coins to winners, pay out in coupons that are redeemable for cash. Also, many local governments are running profitable lotteries.

Sports Betting Laws (parlays)
One of the quirks of the Criminal Code is that it stipulates that it is against the law to bet on a single sport event or athletic contest. Authorized betting operators only permit sports punters to bet on the outcome of multiple matches in, say, the National Hockey League. This bet is called a parlay. Consequently, hundreds of thousands of Canadian gamblers bet online with bookmakers not licensed in their country, which is illegal.

There are moves afoot to amend the Criminal Code once again to enable Canadian sports punters to bet on single events legally, at least with Canada-based organizations, thanks to the work of Bob Runciman and his colleagues.

Recently Senator Runciman, an ex-provincial Leader of the Opposition in the Ontario Legislature and a Conservative Party member of the Canadian Senate since 2010, moved the third reading of Bill C-290 that aims to change the Criminal Code in relation to sports betting and, in doing so, gave an impassioned plea for his Senate colleagues to pass something that made it through the House of Commons unanimously.

Quotes ‘pro’ sports betting

“Voting against this bill ignores the testimony of those who treat problem gamblers. Voting against this bill ignores the submissions of those with experience enforcing the laws against illegal gambling. Voting against this bill plays to what I consider the baseless claims of the professional sports leagues. Voting against this bill ignores the reality of sports betting today, a reality that has been played out in the headlines of this city in recent weeks with the arrest of 21 area people charged with bookmaking in connection with a multi-million-dollar, Internet-based sports betting operation,” said Senator Runciman.

Why Is Online Gambling Illegal

“Make no mistake: if you vote against this bill, you are not voting to put a stop to single-event sports gambling, but you are voting to ensure it remains in the shadows, with the money going offshore and to organized crime.

“What else did the experts who testified before Senate Committee tell us? Well, they agreed that the incidence of problem gambling has stabilised at around one per cent of the population in recent years, despite a vast increase in gambling opportunities. Legalized single-event sports betting is unlikely to move those numbers.

“In fact, problem gambling is more likely in the illegal environment, where responsible gambling measures are not in place, a fact confirmed by Doctor Kelly when he told us about two studies his organisation did in 2001 and 2005.

Is Sports Gambling Legal In Canada

“I do not want to minimise the problems caused by gambling in our society but I do want to ensure things are kept in perspective. The dire social consequences predicted by opponents of this bill are not supported by the facts.

“Also, we received submissions from the NFL, the NHL and the NBA. These leagues provided strongly worded briefs, all apparently written by the same person, that suggest legalised betting is destructive to the social fabric, a threat to the integrity of sports and damaging to the bonds of trust between sporting organisations and their fans.

“This is from Major League Baseball, which looked the other way as steroid-fuelled players rewrote the record book ‚Äî the same Major League Baseball where the all-time hits leader, Pete Rose, has admitted he bet on 52 games of his own team in a single season. This is from the NHL, which allowed a convicted bookie, Rick Tocchet, to become head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning. This is the same NHL that allowed the Edmonton Oilers to sign an advertising agreement with Bodog, a gambling website, which included rink board advertising, concourse and other signage and radio spots. This is the same NHL that promotes the PRO-LINE Dash for Cash between periods of Ottawa Senators games. This is from the National Football League that plays games in London, England, a country that has had single-event sports betting for many years. It seems to me, honourable senators, that these leagues are doing a pretty good job of threatening the integrity of sports all by themselves.

“What we have in North America are sports leagues that believe that if they pretend gambling does not exist they do not need to worry about it. Let us get real here. Why do they think newspapers print the point spreads for games?

“I will conclude by addressing the moral argument and the belief that we should not encourage an activity such as gambling. There is an argument that we do not legalize drugs and prostitution simply because people want to engage in these activities, so why should we legalize gambling? Honourable senators, that is a false analogy. Gambling is already legal. In fact, sports betting is already legal.

“There is no moral distinction between betting on multiple games, known as a parlay, which is now legal, and betting on a single game. The only difference is that most sports fans know that parlay betting is for suckers because you have very little chance of winning and that is the reason people are attracted to single-event sports betting and why they will continue to engage in it, whether or not this chamber passes this legislation. The reality is that we cannot shut down the Internet. They have tried that in the United States with the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. The money seized under that act is a pittance compared to what is being gambled online by Americans. It is suggested it is over $1 billion a day according to some estimates.”

Conclusion:
Strictly speaking, the Criminal Code makes it an offense for Canadians to bet with gambling organizations not licensed in Canada. It would seem that the Canadian governments are not bothered about enforcing the law as it stands, although that may change if the C-290 passes bill and one of the main excuses for betting overseas becomes a thing of the past.