Online Gambling Laws in Different Canadian Provinces

Although forms of gambling are generally prohibited in Canada, provincial governments are empowered to regulate the sector according to their legislation

Section 207 of the federal Criminal Code of Canada, known as "the Code", allows individual provinces to regulate the gambling sector under their own legislation, although gaming is generally prohibited in Canada. This is due to the country's system of government - a federal constitutional monarchy - which means that the provinces are subject to general legislation but have inherent sovereignty, obtained with the entry into force of the British North America Act in 1867. Thanks to it, they have their own legislation, which must comply with Canadian law. Under Section 207, most provinces designate separate government entities, so-called Lottery Corporations, to be responsible for the regulation of the gambling sector. What do Canadian provinces allow and what do they prohibit?

Alberta

The gambling sector in Alberta is regulated by the Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission established with the eponymous act in which the primary guidelines lay out. The only organizations which are allowed to register as providers of gambling services are religious or charitable. Even though there is one legal online casino in Alberta and its name is PlayAlberta.ca

British Columbia

The situation in British Columbia is similar. The Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch of the Ministry of Finance deals with the regulation of the industry and the licensing of companies. The rules are detailed in the Gaming Control Act issued in 2002. Currently, the only legal online operator is PlayNow.com, established by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC).

Manitoba

The Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation is the authority that deals with the registration of gambling companies, and the verification of the legitimacy of operators. All gaming sites wishing to establish must follow The Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation Act and the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act. Manitoba is part of the Western Canada Lottery Corporation (along with Alberta and Saskatchewan), meaning it allows access to the Sport Select gambling website. In addition, Manitoba has an arrangement with the BCLC under which its citizens can gamble at PlayNow.com.

New Brunswick

In charge of licensing new gambling operators is the New Brunswick’s Department of Public Safety’s Gaming Control Branch. The Gambling Control Act, issued in 2008, is the main document under which regulation takes place. Each license issued allows the specific company to establish and operate lottery programs on behalf of the Government of New Brunswick.

Nova Scotia

This province’s gambling sector is ruled by the Alcohol, Gaming, Fuel and Tobacco Division of Service Nova Scotia. The functions performed by the institution are based on the Gambling Control Act voted in 1994 and entered into force in 1995. In addition to the regulation and licensing of operators, it is also responsible for dealing with disputes and complaints related to this sector.

Ontario

The gambling industry is subject to regulation by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). It is considered the least restricted Canadian province due to its abundance of land-based operators and recently also of Ontario online casinos. Nevertheless, marketing services for gambling operators are forbidden. Only the official websites of affiliates have the right to write about bonuses and promotions.

iGaming Ontario

On April 4, 2022, iGaming Ontario (IGO) was designated as a subsidiary institution of the ACGO, and along with that Ontario became the first Canadian province to legalize gambling. This allowed third parties to offer gambling services in the territory of Ontario but only if they meet the condition to register with AGCO, sign a contract, and be licensed. In less than a year, the gaming market in Ontario has already seen serious competition.

Prince Edward Island

In Prince Edward Island the gambling services are regulated by the Lotteries Commission. The main form of legislation followed in this province is the Lotteries Commission Act. Provincial lottery schemes may be established, organized, and conducted on behalf of the province if the Lieutenant Governor in Council has approved.

Quebec

Gambling in the francophone province is governed by two agencies: The Quebec Lottery Corporation and the Regie des alcools, des courses et des Jeux. The first deals with the regulation of gambling and alcohol, horse racing and public lotteries. The second is responsible for bingo and lottery games, as well as gaming halls. In Quebec, both brick-and-mortar casinos and online gambling sites operate.

Newfoundland and Labrador

When it comes to Newfoundland and Labrador gambling regulation, the ball is in the hands of the Consumer Affairs Division under the Consumer and Commercial Affairs Branch of Service. The province does not have a single physical casino and allows only non-profit card games, bingo, and lottery. However, it is part of the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (with Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island), whose website gives access to these Canadian residents to online casino games and allows them to place bets on some events.

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan’s gambling regulatory institution is the Liquor and Gaming Authority. Several different acts form the legislative framework, but the Alcohol and Gaming Regulation Act issued in 1997 is the most important one. On November 3rd, 2022, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) launched legal online gaming by allowing PlayNow.com to operate as the only legalized online gambling website in Saskatchewan.

With Bill C-218 passed in 2021, single-event sports betting was allowed, but for now, horse racing and parlay betting remain banned across the board. As for the Northern Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut, the gambling industry is poorly developed in these latitudes. There is only one brick-and-mortar casino and no registered iGaming sites, however, residents of the territories are allowed to register on foreign gambling websites.