If you are looking for legal online casinos in Canada, then you’ve come to the right spot. Over the years, gambling has gained popularity in several countries worldwide. However, its legality in Canada has faced many questions from both regular gamblers changing residence in Canada, and potential ones living here. We explored all these questions and prepared the top legal casinos for you.
For the last two decades, Canadians have grown their interest in online gambling and several provincial governments have taken steps to regulate their gameplay. British Columbia was the first province to open a gambling platform in 2004, followed by Quebec about a decade ago and Ontario in 2015. Notwithstanding, people living in the country have always had the opportunity to gamble at offshore casino sites.
The legality of the Online Casino Industry in Canada
When it comes to the legality of the gambling industry, Canada is no stranger to its ambiguous nature. So is online gambling legal in Canada? Put simply, It is legal in the country. However, there’s a clause to the legality of the gambling industry here. You have nothing to worry about if the casino website that you’re playing is not located within Canada. On the other hand, if the casino has its servers located within the country, then you will have to check the different laws in each province.
5 Key Things To Know About Canadian Online Casinos
Here’s a list of 5 fundamental things for you to know about online gambling platforms in Canada.
As a Canadian, you will NOT face any legal risk for gambling on an online casino or other gambling platforms.
Canada has never prosecuted any of its residents for playing online games.
Online casinos operating within the country absolutely need a license before they can be considered legal. They can also move their servers offshore.
As far as you’re playing for fun, then your winnings from any online gambling site is NOT taxable. However, those highly-skilled players whose frequency and expectations can be described as job-based may have to pay tax.
Online gambling platforms are legal in Canada. Although it is only implied in the Criminal Code of Canada.
Something worth mentioning again is that you are allowed to place bets on any gambling platform and cash out on your winnings. The Criminal Code was reformed in 1970 and it gave full authority to provinces to regulate gambling and its licensing in their individual regions.
What followed was the gradual development of casinos and lotteries managed by the gaming authorities in each province, and they are;
Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (Ontario)
Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (Alberta)
New Brunswick Gaming Control (New Brunswick)
Service NL (New Foundland)
BCLC (British Columbia)
Liquor and Gaming Commission of Manitoba (Manitoba)
Prince Edward Island Lotteries Commission (Prince Edward Island)
Loto Quebec (Quebec)
Alcohol, Gaming, Fuel and Tobacco Division Service of Nova Scotia (Nova Scotia)
Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (Saskatchewan)
Gambling Laws in Canada Provinces
The different provinces have separate laws on gambling and they are listed below.
Quebec: This province provides plenty of leeways for players to gamble on offshore casino sites. The provincial government also permits residents to play at their flagship casino Espcaejeux. There are no online casino Quebec but they have nine land-based which are all restricted to only adults older than 19.
Alberta: Alberta has a growing following in gambling, especially since they have no restrictions for gamblers. The province has twenty-five land-based casinos where people over 18 can play.
Manitoba: Manitoba has only one official gambling platform, PlayNow Manitoba. Nonetheless, residents are allowed to play at any offshore casino they want.
British Columbia: The province has fifteen land-based casinos. British Columbia restricts its online gamblers to only play through their official site, PlayNow. Regardless, they permit their residents to sign up on platforms that are based overseas.
New Brunswick: New Brunswick has only a land-based casino and the government does not run any online platforms for now. Like in other states, residents are legally allowed to gamble at offshore websites.
Newfoundland and Labrador: Land-based casinos are not legalized in this province, and they do not manage any online gambling platforms. However, the province does not prevent its residents from signing up and playing at platforms with servers based abroad.
Northwest Territories: Northwest Territories have no land-based or online casinos Canada, but there is nothing law that makes them illegal.
Nova Scotia: This province has two government-owned casinos where gamblers older than 19 can have their fun. Like the rest, online gamblers are permitted to join any offshore casino website.
Ontario: Ontario allows gamblers to play at a land-based casino, as well as other venues that provide slot machines. The province has only one regulated online platform, PlayOLG. However, residents can also play at those websites with servers based overseas.
Prince Edward Island: Although the province does not have a dedicated casino, it is lenient towards land-based and online casinos. Only people older than 19 can play anywhere, including offshore platforms.
Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan do NOT permit online gambling platforms to be based here. However, residents are allowed to access gambling websites based in other provinces or countries.
Yukon Territory: This province prohibits casinos from permanently operating while based here since they only issue temporary licenses.
Gambling Laws in Ontario
On April 4 this year, the province of Ontario became the first to regulate major issues related to online casino gambling. The Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming are the core document here. These regulations detail all aspects of the legal casino Canada operations.
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The Ultimate Tip for Avoiding Illegal Casinos
The best way to steer clear of illegal casinos is by getting to know the specific gambling restrictions that apply to the province that you currently reside in. Also, you will be better off playing on reliable platforms. We always ensure to include only licensed and high-quality games in our recommendations.
How To Choose Online Casinos
While there’s no magic formula for picking the gambling platform that is best suited for you, there are several things you can consider to improve your choice. The first is to understand that you will either win or lose by playing real money online casinos, and the majority are based on sheer luck. Next, you have to accept that you cannot beat the house, no matter how skillfully or long you play.
Once you’ve accepted that your skills may only slightly affect your luck, you can go ahead to review any list of safe online casinos in Canada or read Captain Spins review because everyone knows that is legal. Asides from their reputation, you should if the websites offer progressive jackpots and other interesting promotions. Many of these platforms have a practice mode where you can learn how the game works by just playing for fun.
When you find an online casino that suits you, then you can go ahead to register with your accurate information to prevent issues that may rise with cashing out your winnings. It’s also in your best interest to review their terms and conditions, as well as the continuous cost of playing casino Montreal online.
How We Rate Canadian Legal Internet Casinos
When choosing the best legal online casino in Canada, the first thing that is checked by experts is the club’s permit. Currently, a well-known authority is the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, whose tasks are to issue the license and regulate gambling activities.
Then the list of developers working with the casino is examined. Of the other criteria to be evaluated by experts, we can highlight the bonus policy, VIP system, and the range of classic games like poker in online casino Canada legal. That is why we advise players not to waste time checking all these items and to trust the pros with this task.
Popular Payment Methods for Legal Online Casino
Legal Canadian online casino accepts a wide range of banking solutions. Some of the most popular include:
Visa
Mastercard
Citadel
Instadebit
PaySafeCard
Interac
MuchBetter
In the legal online casino, financial transactions take place in a protected mode through the support of SSL protocol. This ensures complete security of the transaction, so players can not worry about any fraud. As a rule, the payment is made without additional commissions, but it may take some time to process.
3 Best Online Casinos that are Legal in Canada
For your convenience, we have compiled a list of the top three arenas where you start playing today, and here they are:
1. Grand Mondial Casino: This is a reputable gambling platform that packs several instant millionaire games like Mega Moolah. They offer up to 550 games with great aesthetics and gameplay. With stakes as low as 10$, gamblers can win up to the win the multi-million-dollar jackpot among several other benefits with about 150 provided chances.
2. Captain Cooks Casino: With two decades of operation, this reliable gaming platform offers up to 100 chances to gamblers to win its jackpot at a stake of just 5$. Also, they offer up to 100% deposit matches of their first five deposits. You can select from any of their 500 games and win big.
3. Zodiac $1 deposit: what makes this licensed casino stand out is their minimum stake which starts at just 1$, and awards up to 80 chances to win the jackpot. Besides, the casino gives up to $480 multiple matches for your first 5 deposits.
In sum, you can gamble at any reputable gambling platform with servers based outside the country. You can join in on the fun, and register at any of our recommended online casinos to start winning big online.
FAQ
1️⃣ Are online casinos legal in Canada?
Today gambling is a popular pastime in this state, and there are many different types of games to choose from. If a player wants to try their luck at a casino, he can do it legally here. However, each province allows a different set of online game titles. Review the online casino Canada legal rules before you start.
2️⃣ When was gambling legalized in Canada?
In 1969, gambling was legalized here. The Quebec government, which launched the initiative, opened the first legal land-based casino in Montreal. This started a trend that eventually led to the establishment of casinos all over the country. One of the main reasons was to raise revenues for the government. As for online casinos, they have been allowed since 2004.
3️⃣ What gambling laws of this state should I be aware of?
A peculiarity of the market is not bound by Canadian unified state legislation for the gambling industry. Nevertheless, Articles 204, 206 and 207 of the Criminal Code serve as the backbone for Canadian gambling laws. Article 206 contains a list of prohibited gambling and related activities, while Article 207 describes the permitted types in online casino Canada legal.
4️⃣ What is the lawful gambling age in Canada?
As the legislative provisions of the provinces vary, the gambling industry itself is characterized accordingly. In some provinces, you can play from the age of 18, and in others from 19. Such age restrictions are primarily related to the concept of responsible play. We advise you to check the specific age limits depending on the location of the preferred online casino Canada legal.
Julia Abrams is a professional iGaming and gambling expert. She draws on her extensive knowledge to deliver in-depth assessments and ratings of the best casino providers. She has many years of expertise in the field and is well-known for her diversified work style.
When it comes to the legality of the gambling industry, Canada is no stranger to its ambiguous nature. So is online gambling legal in Canada? Put simply, It is legal in the country. However, there’s a clause to the legality of the gambling industry here. You have nothing to worry about if the casino website that you’re playing is not located within Canada. On the other hand, if the casino has its servers located within the country, then you will have to check the different laws in each province.
Something worth mentioning again is that you are allowed to place bets on any gambling platform and cash out on your winnings. The Criminal Code was reformed in 1970 and it gave full authority to provinces to regulate gambling and its licensing in their individual regions.
The different provinces have separate laws on gambling and they are listed below.
While there’s no magic formula for picking the gambling platform that is best suited for you, there are several things you can consider to improve your choice. The first is to understand that you will either win or lose by playing 
For your convenience, we have compiled a list of the top three arenas where you start playing today, and here they are:
