Alberta Commercial iGaming Proposed In New Bill
Steve Bittenbender - Mar 28, 2025
Best Canadian Online Gambling Sites: 2025 Expert Reviews From BetCanada.com
Welcome to BetCanada.com! Our team of experts brings you the most up-to-date and in-depth information on everything you need to know about online gambling in Canada.
Best Canada Gambling Sites
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Offers Verified By Our Experts
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Canada Online Gambling
Online gambling is available in most areas of Canada, though laws and regulations vary from province to province.
At online casinos in Canada, you will find both slots and table games, such as online poker, baccarat, roulette, and more. Slot games are often offered extensively at online casinos. Meanwhile, Canada sports betting is also available in many areas, though regulations may differ.
Whatever type of gambling you want, you can play in most areas of the country!
Gambling Laws In Canada April 2025
Online gambling continues to make legislative strides in Canada toward more access for residents of various provinces. Of note, Alberta lawmakers have plans to develop a commercial gaming regulatory regime similar to the one already living in Ontario.
Canada passed a law several years ago that put the licensing and regulation responsibilities for gambling in the hands of the individual provincial and territorial governments. For this reason, every province and territory has slightly different gambling laws.
In most areas, you can find at least one state-run or licensed online casino and sports betting platform.
While gambling at offshore casinos is not technically legal, it is a legal gray area in most of the country and is not generally restricted.
Is Gambling Legal in Canada?
Gambling is legal in Canada, and regulation is generally left to the individual provinces.
With the rapid rise of online gambling, players in Canada have access to offshore casinos with no prohibitory laws coming from the Canadian government. Additionally, some provinces have their own online gambling sites with direct governmental oversight built in.
The bottom line is, as a Canadian gambler in 2025, you have options for where and how you choose to play.
19+ T&C Apply. Play Responsibly. Full Terms Apply. This offer is not available for players residing in Ontario.
Canadian Gambling Statistics
Gambling is a huge industry in Canada. At least six out of ten Canadians have spent money on gambling, and the average Canadian spends over $6 per month on gaming and gambling, with over 19 million active online gamblers in the country.
With all the different regulations in various provinces and the prevalence of offshore casino use, it is difficult to track the total amount that Canadians spend on gambling. However, one source notes that total gambling spending in Canada is over $20 billion annually, and this is likely an underestimation.
Retail Gambling vs Mobile Gambling
In the age of digitization, no industry is exempt from the changes that come with advances in technology. The worldwide gambling industry, from casino games to sports betting, and everything in between, is moving from a retail-dominated market to a mobile-dominated one.
There are many benefits to mobile gaming: you can play all the same games, even live dealer games with other real players, and place all the same wagers—all from the comfort of your home. With sleek mobile websites and apps, you can even wager while you are on the move.
The convenience of mobile gaming is hard to beat—you can easily toggle between thousands of games and betting options from a single app, with just a few swipes and taps of your finger.
As legislators in Canada work to catch up with the advent of mobile gambling, you will see more opportunities to play from your phone, tablet, or computer.
The Canadian Gambling Criminal Code
The Criminal Code of Canada includes multiple laws and regulations that impact the way that casino gaming and other betting can be conducted in the country. For the most part, the code is quite lenient, allowing specific provinces to make their own gambling laws and even run their own gambling operations for revenue—and providing little restriction for people engaging in gaming from offshore sites.
- Section 201 — it's illegal to be found in a betting house or to run one.
- Section 202 — offenses related to illegal betting, pool-selling, and bookmaking.
- Section 203 — it's illegal to place wagers on behalf of anyone.
- Section 205 — it's illegal to indulge in lotteries of games of luck.
- Section 207 — provincial governments can manage lottery programs alone or with other governments. Lotteries are also lawful for religious or charitable organizations if licensed by the Lieutenant Governor.
19+ T&C Apply. Play Responsibly. Full Terms Apply. This offer is not available for players residing in Ontario.
Gambling News In Canada
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- Jan 6, 2025: Bill S-269 in limbo after Trudeau's resignation. Canada Bill s-269, which would regulate advertising for sports betting to protect youth and problem gamblers, has an unclear future which has been made more hazy by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation announcement.
Canadian Gambling Authorities & Provincial Gambling Laws
For the most part, gambling law in Canada is left up to the provincial governments to decide on. Therefore, it is important to understand the specific gambling laws in each province of the country, since regulations and restrictions change so much depending on what area you are in.
Below, you will find everything you need to know about the current state of legal gambling in each province.
19+ T&C Apply. Play Responsibly. Full Terms Apply. This offer is not available for players residing in Ontario.
Ontario
Ontario stands out as the only province in Canada to operate its own regulated online casinos and sportsbooks, all of which are overseen by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
iGaming Ontario is the regulatory commission that oversees the various Ontario online casinos and sportsbooks that are licensed by AGCO. You must be 19 years or older to sign up for Ontario sportsbooks and play online casino games. To play the lottery and bingo, you must be at least 18.
Ontario gamblers are lucky to have regulated, safe online casinos and sports betting platforms to play on.
Alberta
Gambling in Alberta is overseen by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC).
Just like Quebec and BC, Alberta features a single, official gambling site called Play Alberta, which is regulated by AGLC. Play Alberta offers casino games and single-game sports betting. However, promising legislative strides have been made in Alberta, which makes the launch of other online sports betting platforms possible in 2025.
You must be 18 or older to gamble in Alberta.
Quebec
Gambling in Quebec is regulated by Loto Quebec. Loto Quebec offers its own single online casino site as well as a sports betting site, called Mise-o-jeu.
In addition to Loto Quebec's highly regulated offerings, offshore casino gaming and sports betting is permitted in this province. Sports bettors who wager through Mise-o-jeu have access to a mobile app and online website and can place single-game bets only. Loto Quebec's online casino features slot games, table games, and live table games. There are also retail casino locations regulated by Loto Quebec.
Players must be at least 18 years old.
19+ T&C Apply. Play Responsibly. Full Terms Apply. This offer is not available for players residing in Ontario.
British Columbia
Much like Quebec, British Columbia gamblers have access to a single regulated online casino and sportsbook site.
In British Columbia, the BC Lottery Corporation oversees all legal gambling operations. Casino gaming and single-game sportsbook betting are available through PlayNow, BC's regulated gambling site. Offshore casino gaming and sports betting is also available, as are several regulated retail casino locations throughout the province.
Gamblers must be at least 19 years old.
Manitoba
The gambling laws and restrictions in Manitoba province are very similar to those in some other Canadian provinces mentioned above.
Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation is the regulatory agency in the area. Playnow Casino and Sportsbook offers legal, regulated casino gaming through the province itself, as well as single-game sports betting. Retail casinos in the province include government-run establishments and First Nations-owned casinos. Offshore casinos and sports betting operations are not regulated or restricted.
The legal betting age in Manitoba is 18.
19+ T&C Apply. Play Responsibly. Full Terms Apply. This offer is not available for players residing in Ontario.
Saskatchewan
Like several other provinces, Bill C-218 in 2021 paved the way for regulated online casino gaming and single-game sports betting in Saskatchewan.
Casino gaming is offered in several retail locations as well as online via PlayNow casino. Sports betting, including single-game wagers are also offered via PlayNow. First Nations casinos are located in various locations in this province. Offshore casinos and sports betting sites are accessible and unregulated.
The legal gambling age for casinos and sports betting in Saskatchewan is 19.
19+ T&C Apply. Play Responsibly. Full Terms Apply. This offer is not available for players residing in Ontario.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia gambling laws and regulations are a bit different. While there are several retail casinos and sportsbooks in the province, there is no regulated online casino offered by the province's gaming commission, Nova Scotia Gaming.
However, Atlantic Lottery Corporation does have an online casino that is accessible to Nova Scotia residents and regulated. Otherwise, offshore options are your best bet as a Nova Scotia online gambler or sports bettor.
You must be 19 years of age or older to play in NS.
New Brunswick
Like Nova Scotia, the only legal and regulated iGaming platform in New Brunswick is the one operated by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation. The New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation regulates all gambling in the province.
Offshore casinos and sportsbooks are accessible, and you must be at least 19 years of age to play here.
Newfoundland & Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is also included in the regulated Atlantic Lottery Corporation online casino site. Gamblers must be at least 19 years of age to gamble in the state. Offshore casinos and sportsbooks are largely unrestricted here.
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is the final province included in the state-run Atlantic Lottery Corporation online casino and sportsbook. Gamblers in this small province must be 19 years of age or older to participate.
Yukon
In the Yukon Territory, there are no regulated options for online casino gaming or sportsbook betting. The Professional Licensing & Regulatory Affairs Branch of the Department of Community Services is responsible for gambling regulation in the territory. Residents of the territory can visit just one commercial casino, located in Dawson City. Otherwise, offshore casinos and sportsbooks are the best option here.
Northwest Territories
Like the Yukon, the Northwest Territories have no officially licensed options for online gambling or sports betting. The Municipal and Community Affairs Branch of the Consumer Services Department is responsible for regulating gambling in NWT. There are no retail casino locations in the Northwest Territories. The minimum gambling age is 19, but is actually just 16 for official lotteries in NWT.
Nunavut
In Nunavut Territory, the Consumer Affairs branch of the Department of Community and Government Services regulates all gambling activity. There are no officially licensed options for online sports betting or casino gaming. The minimum gambling age is 19, with 16 being the age for lotteries.
NHL Gambling In Canada
Gambling on NHL games has become increasingly popular in Canada, reflecting the nation's deep-rooted passion for hockey, and the legalization of single-event sports betting in 2021 has further fueled this trend. The availability of numerous online sportsbooks offering competitive NHL betting odds has made it more accessible for Canadians to wager on ice hockey.
More: Latest Stanley Cup Odds
NFL Gambling In Canada
NFL gambling is one of the most popular sports in the world to wager on and Canada is no exception. Check out our guide on how to bet on the NFL in Canada.
NBA Gambling In Canada
More NBA players are emerging from Canada and hoops fans can now bet on the NBA from almost anywhere in Canada.
Responsible Gambling
All legal casino and sports betting operators encourage responsible gambling. Sports wagering should be fun, but can lead to a gambling addiction or problem. All Canadian online gambling sites will have a section about responsible gambling with advice and resources.
Gambling in Canada FAQ
Yes, online gambling is legal in Canada. The Federal government leaves gambling regulation up to each Province. Although the Canadian gambling industry falls into a legal gray area, gambling is widely available to most Canadians.
The legal gambling age in Canada is 19 in every Province except Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec, where the legal gambling age is 18.
Yes, it is legal to gamble on sports in Canada on a province-by-province basis. Individual provinces have different laws when it comes to sports betting. In general, it is not illegal to bet on sports in Canada, and there are options for sports betting in just about every province and territory. Options for regulated and licensed sports betting platforms vary.
Yes, casino gambling is legal in Canada on a province-by-province basis. Ontario has a regulated online casino market, while other provinces have single state-run sites where you can find casino games.
Yes, gambling on horse racing is legal in Canada. If you want to know the specific rules and regulations for betting on horses in your area, you will need to check with the local provincial or territorial government. Regulations vary based on the province you find yourself in.
There is no tax on gambling for recreational gamblers in Canada. If income from gambling is your main source of income, it is taxed like a business.
Gambling pools are illegal in Canada, except when overseen by a licensed and regulated operator.
The best gambling site in Canada is regulated or licensed by a reputable gambling commission and typically has a positive presence online with the online gambling community. Canada is lucky to have dozens of licensed gambling sites available with excellent odds and game libraries.
Author
Adam Wernham
iGaming Analyst
Adam Wernham has over eight years of professional copywriting experience. Growing up in the Bay Area, Adam developed strong ties to local teams including the Giants, Warriors, and 49ers. His passion for sports and writing make him a strong voice on all things gambling and a great asset to the BetCanada.com staff.