Gambling laws

Gambling laws

As far as gambling laws in Canada are concerned, much like in the US, there is somewhat of a grey area, in the fact that it varies by state in terms of what you are allowed to do. Over the last couple of years, online gambling in Canada has gradually opened up and this again falls into what states allow certain elements of gambling.

Because of this, several forms of gambling and betting have been legalized by the Canadian government and respective authorities and this also relates to internet gambling. What is important to remember is that gambling operators who offer their services to Canadian players are not allowed to be based in the country itself, however, they can be based offshore if they are licensed by particular regulators, such as the Malta Gaming Authority and Curacao e-gaming, in addition to some of those that are regulated by the UKGC (UK Gambling Commission).

However, there are also those offshore casinos that have their servers running from the native reserve of Kahnawake, (under the purview of the Khanawake Gaming Commission) which is still technically located in the country, and as a result, this is one way that some of them get around it.

read more read less

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes.

The Criminal Code of Canada

Like a lot of jurisdictional legislation, this is just as complex in Canada, with the Canadian Criminal Code laying down the law with regards to gambling in the country and its provinces. Essentially the Criminal Code stipulates that gambling and the conducting of any kind of gambling activities in the country as illegal, however, this is superseded by any that fall under exemptions in the code itself.

Where there are complexities is when you start to factor in that provincial governments are given the right to organize and control such things as lotteries, with a prime example of this being the Ontario lottery and gaming authority. The lottery has always been somewhat of a grey area as far as gambling is concerned and Canada isn't the only country where this has been an issue, most recently in the US.

Online Gambling in Canada

As already referred to, gambling in Canada is very much defined by individual governments of each province and as a result, there are defined regulations in terms of what kind of gambling activity is allowed in each one. Below, you will find an overview of what you can do in the key ones.

Nova Scotia Gambling

In terms of gambling activity in Nova Scotia, 87 percent of adults take part in some form of a game of chance, once on an annual basis. Let's take a look at what is allowed in the country's second-smallest province from a gambling perspective.

Land-based Casinos

Nova Scotia boasts two land-based casinos which both belong to the government and these offer a range of slots and traditional table games. As indicated by the Nova Scotia Provincial Lotteries and Casino Corporation, the average payout percentage for slot games in these casinos stands at 92 percent.

Lotteries & Bingo

The province runs video and ticket lotteries that are available courtesy of the Atlantic Lottery Corporation, while bingo also comes under their purview. There are in excess of 1,000 retailers where lottery tickets can be bought.

Online Gambling

While Nova Scotia does not have any online operators that are based in the province, players can choose from numerous sites that are based offshore, making this legal.

read more read less

New Brunswick

In the province of New Brunswick, players can find a number of gambling activities to partake in which are listed below.

Land-based Casinos

The province has only one casino where players can go to which is in Moncton and which provides players with a variety of table games, slots and poker options.

Sports Betting

Under the jurisdiction of the Atlantic Lottery Corporation, sports betting is allowed in New Brunswick, with this being responsible for Pro-Line, which is a parlay bets style game that can be played online.

Online Gambling

Players in New Brunswick can choose from many different online casinos that are based and licensed offshore.

read more read less

Manitoba

The Authority of Manitoba oversees all gambling laws in this state, where gambling is deemed to be legal. This effectively falls under the Liquor and Gaming Authority of Manitoba which was established in 2014. Below outlines the various forms of gambling that you can engage in.

Sports Betting

Via the Sport Select System, gamblers can bet up to $250 per day on over two sports events, while they have an age limit of 19 and over.

Lottery

It is possible to purchase lottery tickets and scratchcards from online and licensed retailers in Manitoba.

Online Gambling

While there are hundreds of offshore options to choose from, Manitoba actually has its own gaming website that belongs to the government and has subsequently been a big hit.

read more read less

Prince Edward Island

The smallest province in Canada, the Prince Edward Island Lotteries Commission has been responsible for the regulation of gambling activity since it formed in 1976. Below is a list of the forms of gambling you can do in Prince Edward Island.

Online Gambling

Again, online gambling is unregulated here, though there are many offshore sites that can be located that are covered under their respective, allowed licenses.

Lottery

Falling under the Atlantic Lottery Corporation, there is a state lottery that residents can participate in.

Sports Betting

Through Pro-Line, residents can make parlay bets on a number of sporting events that take place.

read more read less

British Columbia

For over three decades, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation has been granting residents access to gambling and this applies to those who live over the border in the US in the states of Washington and Oregon as well. The forms of gambling available here are below.

Land-based Casinos

There are in excess of 15 different casinos in British Columbia, including the Hard Rock Casino, located in Vancouver, with slot games, table games and poker rooms.

Lottery

Since 1985, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation has offered lotteries that have been sanctioned by the government to residents, with the minimum age limit set at 19.

Online Gambling

While there are many offshore sites that players can choose from, the province also has its own online casino under the ownership of the British Columbia Lottery Corporation.

read more read less

Gambling laws FAQs

Will online gambling laws in Canada change?

While currently there are very few online gambling sites in Canada and none that are independently owned, it remains to be seen whether the respective authorities start to pass their own act to allow this to happen. If the governments start to realize that there are benefits to offer this, as has happened in numerous US states, then this might start to change.