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The entertaining pastime that the iGaming industry provides is enjoyed by many people from across Canada. With rampant technological improvements that have characterized the past few years, there has never been a better time to be involved with an online casino. In this article today, though, we will take a look through Canada province by province to see if it is legal in each and what legislation and regulations are in place.
Is Online Gambling Legal In Canada?
First of all, let us state the issue: is online gambling legal in Canada? The answer would be yes, but only if people in different provinces follow the appropriate regulations regarding the legality of the activity they wish to undertake. The Canadian provinces have their own provincial government, which then has its own set of laws regarding online gambling, the games that can be played, and the recent offers that are possible. There’s also an ambiguous gray area of offshore gambling sites operating within some provinces. Let’s go deeper in every one of Canada’s provinces to see if iGaming is legal in each.
Alberta
Players can now play iGaming at provincially regulated and licensed sites and offshore casinos and sportsbooks regulated and licensed in Alberta, Canada. However, these players are expected to have reached 18 years before they can register within Alberta to start taking part in the wide selection of casino games offered on these sites.
British Columbia
Players are only allowed to gamble on websites and platforms that are under the regulation of British Columbia, in the province. However, it is not illegal to be gambling on offshore websites in the province. Players are required to be 19 years old if they are to gamble on the iGaming websites of British Columbia.
Manitoba
The province of Manitoba allows gambling in its region, though the same can be done only on respective online gambling websites, which are authorized by the province. The same way as in British Columbia, there are no laws that could prohibit people from playing in offshore casinos or sportsbooks. To gamble on a provincially licensed online gambling website, you must be of the age of 19 in Manitoba.
New Brunswick, Canada
It officially allows players to gamble within the province. Besides, players in New Brunswick can also wager on the games offered in offshore sportsbooks and online casino services if those companies do not work within Canada or do not advertise their services in Canada. Just like in most of the provinces stated above, gamblers have to be at least 19 years of age in order to participate in gambling of any kind.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Similar to in New Brunswick, the provincial government of Newfoundland and Labrador contracts its provision of online gambling services to the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC). Other forms of gambling, such as sports betting, online casinos, and the like, are also not legally permitted within the province. The minimum age requirement for gambling within Newfoundland and Labrador is 19.
Nova Scotia
Online gambling and iGaming in Nova Scotia is regulated by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation, commonly known as the ALC. Nevertheless, it was only in 2022 that the ALC actually offered its suite of online casino games to players in the province of Nova Scotia. With that said, offshore casinos and sportsbooks are fully available to players in the province. In order to gamble online in the province, you need to be of 19 years of age.
Ontario
Online gambling is legal in Ontario, Canada. Year 2022, laws in the province of Ontario expanded and offered licenses for other online gambling operators, including the platforms of BetMGM. The offshore status of the province allows offshore gambling as well, for example, offshore sportsbooks and online casinos for provincial players. However, all players need to be over 18 years of age to partake in any gambling activities in Ontario.
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island: Another province that falls under the gambling control of ALC. Being part of the Atlantic Lottery Corporation, there is an operating platform for gambling in Prince Edward Island; hence, residents can engage in entertainment. The residents from this province can also share in the offshore gambling fruits found in online casinos and sportsbooks. All said and done, all should be well of 19 and above to engage in any gambling activities here.
Quebec
Loto-Quebec is the provincial gaming authority in Quebec and has full authority over all gambling activities in the province. Players from Quebec, however, as with the other provinces described above, can still participate in offshore gambling. Players from Quebec must have reached 18 years of age to gamble on whatever platform that is available.
Saskatchewan
Our last province of mention is Saskatchewan in this list, whereby online gambling is now available. However, it wasn’t officially until November 2022 that the opening of the regulated market in this Canadian province was welcomed. The launch of PlayNow.com in the market is conducted in partnership between the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA), the Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation (SaskGaming), and the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC).
The Future of iGaming in Canada
the future of iGaming in Canada looks bright, with new regulations and laws being passed each year—coupled with an even more open view to gambling platforms and ways they could benefit the economy in Canada and society in general. The more positive outlook on gambling in Canada can be seen in the provinces above that have introduced regulations and legislations, making it easier to access and, more importantly, legal.
