When it comes to online casino regulations, Canada’s landscape is anything but uniform. Each province and territory has developed its own approach to managing and regulating online gambling, creating a patchwork of laws and access that vary widely across the country.
In this guide, we dive deep into the online gambling laws of each Canadian province and territory. We’ll outline what’s allowed, who oversees the regulations, and what you need to know to stay within the legal boundaries in your province. Let’s begin.
Ontario
Ontario stands out as a leader in online gambling regulation in Canada. Since Ontario opened its market to third-party operators in April 2022, the province has set the highest standard in Canada when it comes to gambling regulations.
The regulatory framework is managed by iGaming Ontario alongside the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), and they ensure that all licensed operators meet their stringent safety and fairness requirements. So in other words, if you’re from Ontario, you can rest assured the casinos that hold an Ontario license are as safe and fair as can be.
- Regulation: Managed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and iGaming Ontario.
- Online Gambling: Legal and well-regulated. Ontario opened up to third-party operators in April 2022, with over 70 licensed online casinos and sportsbooks.
- Sports Betting: Legal for single-event bets both online and in-person.
- Age Requirement: 19+.
Alberta
Alberta has a regulated online gambling platform called PlayAlberta.ca, operated by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission (AGLC). It is the province’s only licensed option, but it does offer a decent variety of slots and lottery games. However, many Albertans still prefer offshore sites for their broader game selection and promotions, although these sites aren’t officially sanctioned by the province.
- Regulation: Overseen by Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission (AGLC).
- Online Gambling: Only one official platform, PlayAlberta.ca, but international sites are popular, though technically not endorsed.
- Sports Betting: Parlay betting through Sport Select with a $250 daily limit; single-event betting is limited.
- Age Requirement: 18+.
British Columbia
BC’s residents can play legally on PlayNow, the official provincial platform regulated by the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB). While PlayNow is the only locally licensed online casino, you still have your offshore sites if you’re looking for more variation in terms of games, promotions or payment methods. You can find most of these online casinos for Canadians at CasinoWhizz.
- Regulation: Controlled by the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch.
- Online Gambling: PlayNow is the only regulated platform. Offshore sites are used but not formally sanctioned.
- Sports Betting: Single-event betting legalized; other wagers via PlayNow.
- Age Requirement: 19+.
Manitoba
Manitoba shares the PlayNow platform with British Columbia, providing a secure and government-regulated environment for online casino gaming. The Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation oversees this operation. So not too many domestic options here either unfortunately.
- Regulation: Managed by the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation.
- Online Gambling: Through PlayNow, shared with BC. Offshore options widely accessed.
- Sports Betting: Multi-event only; limited by a $250 daily cap.
- Age Requirement: 18+.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan doesn’t have a provincially operated online casino platform. However, residents can legally access offshore online casinos, which are widely used due to the lack of local alternatives. The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority manages land-based operations but doesn’t extend to online casinos. The age requirement for online gambling is 19.
- Regulation: Governed by the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority and the Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation.
- Online Gambling: No provincial online site; residents often turn to offshore options.
- Sports Betting: Parlay-only through retail sites.
- Age Requirement: 19+.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia offers online gambling through the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC), which provides a decent amount of casino-style games. The Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation (NSGC) oversees regulations and the minimum age for online casino gaming is 19.
- Regulation: Overseen by the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation (NSGC).
- Online Gambling: Via Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC); offshore sites also used.
- Sports Betting: Parlay-only via Pro-Line.
- Age Requirement: 19+.
New Brunswick
New Brunswick follows a similar model to Nova Scotia, where the Atlantic Lottery Corporation provides a regulated, albeit limited, online casino experience. The game variation is not too bad though, Atlantic Lottery offers slots, bingo, lottery, table games, and even sports betting via Pro-Line. New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation (NBLGC) oversees these operations, and the age limit is 19.
- Regulation: Managed by New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation.
- Online Gambling: Limited to Proline Plus; offshore sites commonly accessed.
- Sports Betting: Parlay-only.
- Age Requirement: 19+.
Newfoundland and Labrador
NL does not have a local online casino platform. Residents rely entirely on offshore sites for their online gambling needs. The Atlantic Lottery Corporation provides lottery and limited gaming services, but full-scale casino gaming isn’t offered. The legal age for accessing online casinos is 19.
- Regulation: Governed by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC).
- Online Gambling: No local platforms; relies on offshore sites.
- Sports Betting: Parlay-only.
- Age Requirement: 19+.
Prince Edward Island
PEI is another province that uses the Atlantic Lottery Corporation for its regulated online gaming services. The Prince Edward Island Lotteries Commission oversees these activities, and the minimum age for online gambling is 19+ for casino games and 18+ for lottery tickets.
- Regulation: By the Prince Edward Island Lotteries Commission.
- Online Gambling: Only through ALC; offshore options available.
- Sports Betting: Parlay-only via Pro-Line.
- Age Requirement: 19+.
Quebec
Quebec offers a government-run online casino platform called Espacejeux, managed by Loto-Québec. While this platform provides a range of games, many residents also use offshore sites without restriction due to their often larger game libraries and bonuses. The legal age for online casino play is 18.
- Regulation: Managed by Loto-Québec and Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux.
- Online Gambling: Espacejeux for provincial play; offshore access unrestricted.
- Sports Betting: Single-event betting via Mise-O-Jeu.
- Age Requirement: 18+.
Northern Territories (NWT, Nunavut, Yukon)
Online casino regulation in the northern territories is minimal, with no provincial or territorial platforms available. So if you’re based in any of these territories you’ll have to stick to offshore sites. The age requirement for online gambling in the northern territories generally aligns with other Canadian provinces at 19.
- Regulation: Local municipal bodies.
- Online Gambling: Mainly through offshore sites; no provincial platforms.
- Sports Betting: Parlay-only.
- Age Requirement: 19+.
