Canada Online Gambling Laws Explained (2025 Update)

How Gambling is Regulated in Canada: Federal vs. Provincial Powers

Canada doesn’t have one single law that controls all gambling across the country. Instead, it uses a shared legal structure where the federal government sets the broad rules, but each province and territory decides how gambling works in its region.

This setup dates back to a major change in 1985, when the federal government gave provinces full authority to regulate gambling activities. That means your ability to bet on sports, play online casino games, or buy lottery tickets depends on where you live in Canada.

Here’s how it works:

The federal government: Still controls the Criminal Code, which outlines what kinds of gambling are generally legal or illegal across Canada. For example, it says that gambling operations must be licensed by a province to be legal.
The provincial governments: Decide how gambling is offered within their borders. They run or license casinos, lotteries, and online gambling platforms. They also decide what types of bets are allowed and who can operate legally.

So, if a gambling site or service is licensed by a province (like Ontario or Quebec), it’s legal. If it’s based outside of Canada and not licensed, it’s technically operating in a grey area — but players are not breaking the law by using it.

This structure is why gambling laws, especially online, can vary from one province to another.

Online Gambling Laws in Canada

Online gambling is legal in Canada, provided the platform is licensed by a provincial authority. Each province decides how to manage online betting, and many operate their own sites offering casino games, sports betting, and lotteries.

These sites are only accessible to residents within that province. Examples include PlayNow (British Columbia and Manitoba), PlayAlberta, and Loto-Québec.

If a gambling site is not licensed by a Canadian province, it’s considered offshore. These sites often accept Canadian players, and many people use them. However, they aren’t regulated by Canadian authorities, meaning there’s less consumer protection if something goes wrong.

Importantly, it is not illegal for Canadians to use offshore gambling sites. The law targets unlicensed operators, not individual players.

In short:

Licensed Canadian sites = fully legal and regulated.
Offshore sites = widely used, but not overseen by Canadian governments.
Players are not prosecuted for using offshore platforms.

Province-by-Province Gambling Regulation

Since regulation is local, each province and territory has its own gambling framework. Here’s a quick overview of where online gambling stands across Canada:

Province/Territory	Regulator	Online Gambling Platform	Legal Gambling Age
Alberta	AGLC	Play Alberta	18
British Columbia	BCLC	PlayNow	19
Manitoba	LGCA	PlayNow	18
New Brunswick	NBLGC	Atlantic Lottery	19
Newfoundland & Labrador	Atlantic Lottery Corp	Atlantic Lottery	19
Nova Scotia	NSGC	Atlantic Lottery	19
Ontario	AGCO / iGaming Ontario	Multiple licensed sites	19
Prince Edward Island	PEI Lotteries Commission	Atlantic Lottery	19 (18 for lottery)
Quebec	Loto-Québec	EspaceJeux / Loto-Québec	18
Saskatchewan	SLGA / SIGA	PlayNow (since 2022)	19
Yukon, NWT, Nunavut	Local regulators (limited activity)	None	19

Note: Ontario is unique in allowing private online gambling operators (like BetMGM, FanDuel, etc.) to enter its market under provincial license.

Indigenous and Offshore Operators

In addition to the provincially run platforms, some online gambling in Canada is operated by Indigenous authorities or based overseas. These options exist outside the traditional provincial systems but still play a major role in how many Canadians gamble online.

Kahnawake Gaming Commission

Located in Quebec, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission has regulated online gambling since 1996, operating independently under Mohawk jurisdiction. Its most prominent licensee is Sports Interaction, a legal site for Canadian players through its Mohawk Online division.

Offshore Sites

Canadians frequently use internationally licensed sites. While these are not regulated by provincial authorities, players are not breaking any law by participating. Still, there’s less consumer protection compared to playing on a provincial site.

A Brief History of Canadian Gambling Laws

Canada’s gambling legislation has evolved significantly over the past century. Four major legislative milestones shaped the landscape:

1892: The Canadian Criminal Code prohibited most forms of gambling.
1969: Amendments allowed for government-run lotteries to fund public initiatives.
1976: Sports lotteries were introduced — but limited to parlay betting.
1985: The federal government gave provinces full control over gambling activities, including casino operations, lotteries, and betting schemes.

These shifts set the stage for the diverse, province-led gambling systems we see today.

Key developments after 1985

Since provinces took control of gambling in 1985, Canada has made steady changes to keep up with new technology and player demand. This includes the launch of online casinos, Indigenous-regulated sites, and the legalization of single-game sports betting.

1996 – The Kahnawake Gaming Commission is established in the Mohawk Territory of Quebec, becoming one of the first jurisdictions in the world to regulate online gambling.
1997 – Sports Interaction launches as Canada’s first Indigenous-licensed online gambling site, operating under Kahnawake authority.
2010s – Multiple provinces launch government-run online gambling platforms, including PlayNow (BC, MB), PlayAlberta, and Loto-Québec.
August 2021 – Bill C-218 passes, amending the Criminal Code to legalize single-game sports betting. Provinces can now offer individual game bets through licensed platforms.
April 2022 – Ontario launches a regulated iGaming market, becoming the first province to license private online casinos and sportsbooks (e.g., BetMGM, FanDuel).
2022–2023 – Saskatchewan partners with the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) to launch PlayNow.ca, marking the first online gambling site co-managed with a First Nations authority.

Key Facts About Gambling in Canada

Gambling winnings are tax-free in Canada for players (unless gambling is your profession).
Legal age varies: Either 18 or 19, depending on the province.
VLTs (Video Lottery Terminals) contribute a significant portion of gambling revenue, especially in Alberta and Quebec.
Online gambling laws may change, especially around licensing and sports betting expansion.

Final Thoughts: Is Online Gambling Legal in Canada?

Yes, online gambling is legal in Canada, but it’s regulated at the provincial level. This means:

You can legally play at provincially licensed sites.
You can access offshore sites without risk of prosecution, but you do so at your own discretion.
Operators must be licensed by a Canadian province (or by a recognized Indigenous regulator like the Kahnawake Gaming Commission) to legally offer services within Canada.

The legal landscape continues to evolve, especially with the growth of single-game betting and Ontario’s open licensing model. Always check your province’s gambling authority for the latest regulations and approved platforms.

Canada Online Gambling Law FAQs

Is it legal to bet on sports online in Canada?

Yes, sports betting is legal online in Canada, including single-game bets. Each province authorizes its own betting services and platforms.

Can I get in trouble for using offshore gambling sites in Canada?

No, Canadian players are not penalized for using offshore gambling sites, although those platforms are not provincially licensed or regulated.

Do Canadian gambling laws apply to all provinces equally?

No, each province sets its own gambling regulations, including which games are legal, where you can play, and how online platforms operate.

What online gambling sites are legal in Ontario?

Ontario allows both government-run sites like OLG.ca and private operators licensed under iGaming Ontario, including BetMGM, FanDuel, and others.

Is single-game betting allowed in Alberta?

Yes, single-game betting is available through Alberta’s official platform, Play Alberta, which launched the feature following national law changes in 2021.

Are gambling winnings taxable in Canada?

No, gambling winnings are not taxed in Canada unless you are considered a professional gambler by the Canada Revenue Agency.

Kevin

Roberts

Content Editor

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Kevin Roberts, previously published under the pseudonym Noah Davis, is one of the more diverse writers at GamblingSites.com. Like many of his colleagues, he’s a huge fan of both football and basketball. But he also writes about box office records, TV show prop bets, DFS, and all kinds of other subjects. When it comes to the NFL, Kevin’s favorite team is the Green Bay Packers. He enjoys cheering them on with his wife and daughter.

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