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If you want to gamble in Canada, you have many options, whether you’re looking to play at an online casino or a land-based one. You’ll want to be familiar with the current gambling laws if you’re going to make wagers, though.
In general, provincial governments regulate gambling in Canada. Each province has its own legislation on what games are allowed and how they can be played. These laws change from time to time as new gambling opportunities emerge or as some forms of gaming become more popular than others.
The provinces also have their own rules about where online gambling websites can be located and how much money players can spend on each game before it becomes illegal for them to continue playing. Additionally, each province has its own rules about how much money a player can win from a single bet at any given time. It’s important for players who want to play online casinos in Canada that they research these regulations carefully before making any bets or deposits into their account so they don’t run afoul of any laws while doing so!
How Sports Betting Works In Canada
Gambling in Canada has a long and storied history. It was legalized in 1985, when provinces and territories were granted the right to oversee these activities. Currently, Canada’s annual gambling revenue amounts to a staggering C$14 billion. Gambling is big business!
All in all, sports betting is regulated across Canada by the provincial or territorial lottery corporation or government agency responsible for gaming in that jurisdiction. This includes casinos, lotteries, bingo halls and racetracks where horse racing is held.
The Canadian Gambling Act ensures that gambling establishments are operated responsibly and in a socially responsible manner. It also ensures that they are accountable to their local communities and that they abide by the law at all times.
Canada Gambling Laws & The Future of Sports Betting Online In Canada
In the early days of online gambling, Canada was one of the few countries that took a conservative stance on the issue. As a result, only offshore sites offer Canadians the chance to wager online. While this may seem like an inconvenience, it has allowed Canadians access to some of the best casinos and gaming providers in the world. Now, however, things are changing as Canada is slowly becoming legal for online gambling under certain circumstances.
Overall, the laws concerning online gambling are not very clear, but it is known that no license will be granted to any company that will operate an online casino. This makes it impossible for Canadians to gamble in a Canadian online casino, so they have no choice but to seek entertainment in the United States or abroad.
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Gambling Pros And Cons By Provinces: A Guide For Canadians
Quebec
Quebec is a great place to gamble. Residents can access any offshore casino, the government-run Espacejeux site (which offers slots, poker, and sports betting), or one sports betting site that only allows parlaying bets. For more on Quebec here.
Alberta
In Alberta, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to gamble. First and foremost, there are 25 land-based casinos that are open to the public. There are also a number of sports betting opportunities available to those who wish to place a wager on their favorite team or player.
In order to be eligible for a payout in Alberta, you must place three or more bets on the same team or individual players, and each bet must win for the entire parlay to count as a win for sports betting purposes. See more on Alberta here.
British Columbia
British Columbia residents are lucky to live in a province that is lenient when it comes to gambling. Residents can enjoy a large variety of 15 land-based casinos as well as online games through PlayNow. There are no provincial laws that stop B.C. residents from playing casino games online. Catch more on British Columbia here.
Ontario
With 24 casinos and slot machines, you’re spoilt for choice as well with Ontario. You can choose between an online casino like PlayOLG or Pro-Line where you can play online slots or poker games like video poker, blackjack and more, or you can choose to visit one of the many land-based casinos that are spread throughout the province.
Ontario is Canada’s most populous province and its gambling laws reflect that fact by being some of the most relaxed in the country. That means there are plenty of opportunities for gaming fun with casinos offering everything from slots to blackjack tables as well as poker rooms where players can challenge each other on games such as Texas Hold’em Poker. Check out more on betting legally in Ontario.
New Brunswick
Looking to gamble? You’ll have to travel if you live in New Brunswick. The province doesn’t allow online gambling, so if you hope to bet on your favorite sports team or play in a poker tournament, you will have to travel. Quebec is a great place for gambling because it has some of the largest casinos in North America. However, the province does not allow minors under 18 to gamble, so make sure that you are at least 19 years old before you visit one of the many casinos or gaming halls. The legal age for most forms of gambling in Alberta is also 19. More detail on New Brunswick here.
Despite Nunavut having no professional sports franchises, sports betting is still a part of the territory’s culture. When the C-218 bill was passed in 2025, Nunavut decided to go with the flow and legalize single-game betting for players 18 years old and above. With a variety of sportsbooks available to play at, Nunavut is spoiled for choice, making up for its lack of live games in person by providing excellent online betting and streaming opportunities. Click here to see more on Nunavut.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Although some provinces have been slow to accept the federal government’s offer to allow single-game wagering, Newfoundland and Labrador has moved quickly to bring the service to residents. Sports are an important part of life in Newfoundland and sports betting is no exception. Some of the best sportsbooks in Canada provide services to Newfoundlanders and continue on now under Bill C-218.
Prince Edward Island
The Canadian province of Prince Edward Island (PEI) passed Bill C-218 and made single-game wagering legal in 2025. This means that residents of PEI can now wager on individual sporting events through provincial lottery organizations or at online sportsbooks. By legalizing single-game wagering, PEI is shaping the sports gambling landscape not only at provincial level but also across Canada. For more on legal betting in Prince Edward Island.
Nova Scotia
The province of Nova Scotia has not yet allowed residents to place sports bets online using traditional methods, but things may change since the law change in 2025. Despite this, residents can still enjoy betting on their favorite teams by signing up with an online sportsbook. The legal age requirement for Nova Scotia is 19 years old, so providing you have the correct identification documents, you are able to sign up at most of the online sportsbooks available. Looking for more information on Nova Scotia? Click here.
Saskatchewan
In the past, Saskatchewan was lacking in sports betting options. But with the introduction of online sportsbooks and apps, that’s changing fast. With sportsbooks popping up all over the province, Saskatchewan residents now have a wider variety of ways to place their bets. These new betting sites offer competitive odds and more than just football and hockey; they provide creative markets for all other kinds of sports. Click here for more analysis on Saskatchewan.
