Canadian Gambling Laws and Legislation: Explore the Legal Landscape

Casinos are regulated to give you the best possible user experience. Additionally, these legislative guidelines allow for fair play across Canadian territories, consequently elevating your gameplay and ensuring the safety you’ve come to expect at all major Canadian online casinos.

Gambling has a rich history in Canada, originating with the indigenous peoples, who engaged in diverse gaming activities long before European settlers arrived. These early games, utilizing natural materials like sticks and stones, served various social, economic, and spiritual purposes. The arrival of Europeans introduced more structured and commercial gaming forms, like lotteries, aiding the development of early settlements.

The late 20th century brought a significant shift with the advent of the internet, leading to the emergence of online casinos. These platforms offered Canadians a convenient way to access various casino games from home. The initial legality of online gambling was ambiguous, with varying regulations across provinces. The surge in online casinos’ popularity led to the establishment of regulatory frameworks by provincial governments to license and oversee online gambling, ensuring safety and fairness.

Today, online casinos are integral to Canada’s gambling industry, providing a range of games and continuously evolving with technological advancements, introducing innovations like live dealer games and virtual sports betting. The provinces continue to refine their laws and regulations to adapt to the changing dynamics of online gambling and safeguard Canadian players.

Are you wanting to find the gambling laws associated with your home province?

This table can help you identify all notable gambling laws that regulate your area.

Avoiding online casinos that aren’t worth your time or money is crucial when deciding on a casino that can meet your needs. It’s important to remember that while our casino catalogue is always up-to-scratch, researching a casino’s safety features is important when picking a gambling destination.

You can easily dodge blacklisted casinos by following these tips:

1. Never visit a casino that lacks a secure connection. You can determine the general safety of a casino by looking at the padlock next to the URL.
2. If the padlock is closed, this means that the site is quite secure.
3. If the padlock is open, and the term “Not Secure” is present, then it means the site should be avoided at all costs.
4. Additionally, if the website holds very negative reviews across the broader player base, especially regarding security, we recommend steering clear and moving onto the next option.

If you are struggling to pick a site, or simply want the assurance of playing at a secure and reputable casino, our comprehensive list of top online casinos can be enjoyed by all Canadian gamblers.

Offshore casinos are gambling platforms operated outside the Canadian Borders. This means that the way they choose to operate their casino is dependent on their own authorities’ rules and regulations.

Canada’s gambling laws only apply to casinos that operate within the country itself. This is why offshore gambling providers run their casinos under strict regulations to accommodate Canadian players. This also ensures that responsible gambling regulations are adhered to.

Is it safe to gamble when it comes to offshore companies?

Gambling at an offshore casino can bring you many benefits, including the prospect of safe and entertaining gameplay. Here are a few ways that prove offshore gambling can be very beneficial to a Canadian player:

1. Diverse gaming options
   Offshore casino sites often offer a broader range of games and betting options compared to local sites. This diversity can enhance the gaming experience, providing players with fresh and unique content that might not be available domestically.
2. Attractive bonuses and promotions
   Many offshore casinos offer lucrative bonuses, promotions, and loyalty programs to attract and retain players. These incentives can provide added value, giving players more bang for their buck.
3. Advanced technology and features
   Offshore casinos, especially those from established markets, often employ the latest gaming technology, offering features like live dealer games, advanced graphics, and immersive soundscapes.
4. Competitive odds
   For sports betting enthusiasts, offshore sites can offer more competitive odds, potentially leading to better payouts on winning bets.
5. Global player interaction
   Playing on offshore sites allows Canadians to interact with a global player base, adding a multicultural dimension to the gaming experience.

Safety concerns to address

While each of our offshore sites holds licenses from reputable gambling authorities, any external site you choose to visit should be approached with caution.

Here are two factors you should confirm before playing at an offshore casino:

1. Licensing and regulation – before engaging with an offshore casino, players should verify the site’s licensing information. A license from a reputable gaming authority, such as the Malta Gaming Authority or the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, indicates that the casino adheres to strict standards of fairness and security.
2. Data security – given the sensitive nature of personal and financial data shared with online casinos, players should ensure that the offshore site employs robust security measures, such as SSL encryption, to protect user data from potential breaches.

In Canada, the promotion of online gambling is regulated at both the federal and provincial levels. The Criminal Code of Canada prohibits the unauthorized promotion of gambling activities. However, each province and territory has the authority to regulate and license online gambling within its borders.

As a result, several provinces have established their own online gambling websites or have partnered with private operators. Advertisements for these provincially licensed sites are allowed, but promoting offshore gambling sites can be a legal grey area. It’s essential for advertisers to be aware of the specific regulations in each province or territory where they intend to promote their services.

Facebook and Instagram (Meta) gambling policy

• Meta (Facebook’s parent company) defines online gambling and gaming as any product or service where anything of monetary value is included as part of a method of entry and prize.
• Advertisements that promote online gambling and gaming are only allowed with Facebook’s prior written permission.
• Authorized advertisers must obey all applicable laws and include targeting criteria consistent with Meta’s targeting requirements.
• Adverts may not be targeted to people under 18 years of age.
• Advertisers need to request written permission from Meta and provide evidence that the gambling activities are appropriately licensed in the territories they want to target.
• Advertisers who receive permission cannot target ads to people under the age of 18.

X’s (Formerly Twitter) gambling policy

Twitter has specific guidelines for advertising gambling content. Advertisers need to be certified by Twitter and must also comply with local laws and regulations. The promotion of online gambling might be restricted in certain jurisdictions, and advertisers are expected to adhere to these restrictions.

Here are some of Twitter’s policies:

First policy

Advert visuals must not contain images or artwork that could be perceived as deceptive. For instance, an ad for an online casino shouldn’t display an image of an individual engaged in a poker game.

Second policy

Promotions that single out specific Twitter users are not allowed. For example, requesting users to retweet your post for a chance to win a prize is viewed as spam by the safety council, and such promotions will be declined.

Twitter’s advertising guidelines have specific criteria that must be met when crafting advertisements for online gaming and gambling platforms in Canada.

Content must follow these guidelines:

• Advertisement content shouldn’t suggest any association with Twitter
• Misleading advertisements, including those directing to sites with mature content, are prohibited
• Advertisers cannot use a user’s profile pictures, names, or likeness in advertisements without obtaining explicit consent.

The term “creatives” refers to the visuals or artwork incorporated in your advertisements. Twitter enforces a strict policy regarding the types of visuals advertisers can use for promoting online gaming or gambling platforms in Canada. The fundamental principle is straightforward, avoid deceptive content.

Some inappropriate examples of creatives are:

• Avoid showcasing large sums of money
• Refrain from depicting poker games
• Steer clear of showcasing traditional games. Moreover, promotional visuals for online casinos should exclude images of individuals partaking in casino activities like slot machines or card games. Such visuals might give the impression to viewers that significant cash rewards await them on your platform, when, in fact, the primary offering is online gaming

Canada takes their gambling regulation very seriously. This is designed to keep you safe, while still providing you with flexible gaming options to keep you entertained.

Here are the cornerstone regulations that influence your gameplay:

The Criminal Code of Canada (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-46)

This is the primary law that governs gambling activities in Canada. It outlines the legal framework for gaming, betting, and lotteries. The Code has undergone several amendments over the years to address the evolving nature of gambling in the country.

Provincial and Territorial Gaming Acts

Each province and territory in Canada has its own Gaming Act or equivalent legislation that regulates gambling within its jurisdiction. These acts cover licensing, operation, and regulation of casinos, including online platforms if they exist.

Examples: British Columbia’s Gaming Control Act, Quebec’s Act respecting lotteries, publicity contests, and amusement machines, and Ontario’s Gaming Control Act.

Kahnawake Gaming Law

The Kahnawake Mohawk Territory, located just outside Montreal, has its own gaming commission and regulates online gambling under the Kahnawake Gaming Law. They license a significant number of online casinos, poker rooms, and sportsbooks.

Bill C-218

A recent amendment to the Criminal Code, this bill legalizes single-event sports betting in Canada, which was previously restricted to parlay betting (betting on multiple events).

Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC)

While not a gambling-specific law, FINTRAC regulations require casinos, both land-based and online, to report suspicious transactions as part of Canada’s anti-money laundering efforts.

Indian Gaming Regulatory Act

This U.S.-based act has implications for Canadian Indigenous communities that operate casinos near the U.S.-Canada border, especially in terms of cross-border patrons.

Provincial Online Gaming Platforms

Several provinces, such as British Columbia (PlayNow.com) and Quebec (Espacejeux.com), have launched their own online gaming platforms, which operate under provincial regulations and oversight.

Curious to learn who oversees and maintains these laws for players? These are the bodies that shape the way you play across all Canadian territories:

• British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) – oversees all gambling activities, including online gambling, in British Columbia.
• Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis Commission (AGLC) – regulates gaming, liquor, and cannabis in Alberta.
• Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) – manages and regulates gaming, liquor, and cannabis in Saskatchewan.
• Liquor, Gaming, and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba (LGCA) – regulates gaming and liquor in Manitoba.
• Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) – manages and oversees all gambling activities in Ontario.
• Loto-Québec – responsible for gambling operations in the province of Quebec.
• Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) – oversees lottery operations in the Atlantic provinces, which include New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.
• Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation (NSGC) – manages gaming in Nova Scotia.
• New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation – oversees gaming activities in New Brunswick.
• Service NL – regulates gaming in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Prince Edward Island Lotteries Commission  – oversees gaming activities in Prince Edward Island.
• Kahnawake Gaming Commission – while not a provincial authority, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission operates out of the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory and licenses and regulates a significant number of online casinos, poker rooms, and sportsbooks.
• Northwest Territories and Nunavut Lotteries – oversees lottery operations in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
• Yukon Lotteries – manages lottery operations in Yukon.