The gambling laws in Canada play a significant role in providing safe gambling options to Canadian players. On the surface, however, it may seem confusing to navigate as regulations vary between provinces and can operate under a mixture of local and federal laws.
Ontario, for example, is unique as it established its own regulated market that allows private operators to legally offer online gambling within the province. Understanding the difference between provincial regulations and Canada’s gambling laws in general is important for operators and players to navigate the legal landscape effectively. In this article, we will be exploring the evolution and scope of the online gambling laws in Canada, as well as Ontario’s unique iGaming market structure.
Evolution and Scope of Canadian Gambling Laws
The primary legislative framework governing gambling activities in Canada is the Canadian Criminal Code. While the law makes gambling technically illegal, Section 207 of the code specifies provincial obligations in gambling regulation and defines the scope of their authority.
Let’s explore the evolution and scope of Canadian gambling laws, dating as far back as 1892, when the Canadian Criminal Code was enacted, which made provisions for gambling activities. The Code tolerated the activity under specified circumstances but did not exactly legalise it. Later in 1910, the code was amended to allow pari-mutuel betting for specific sports such as horse racing and games of chance on the condition that these betting options were offered for religious purposes or charity. That law served the country well until the 1900s when Canadian citizens became more interested in gambling and there was a growing need to amend the statutes. In the 1970s, the Criminal Code and the laws regulating gambling were again amended to give a certain degree of authority to provinces to regulate gambling activities within their provinces. The amendment still had significant limitations as provincial governments were limited to offering parlay bets. Gambling laws in Canada then did not give provincial governments the right to take bets on single games. In 2021, the restrictions on single-game betting were lifted and provincial governments can now offer single-game bets to their citizens.
Regulatory Authorities
Provincial and territorial governments have a responsibility in overseeing and regulating gambling within their respective jurisdictions. This includes monitoring gambling activities on offshore sites and providing betting options for their citizens. Most provinces have Lottery Corporations which are separate government entities whose sole purpose is to conduct and manage betting within their province. A few examples of these Lottery Corporations include the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (“BCLC”) and Loto-Quebec. The regulatory corporations develop comprehensive schemes for registering gambling operators and manufacturers. By law, these are the only entities with legal authority to regulate and provide bets.
Notice that these regulations do not give entities the authority to licence gambling operators or activities. They can only issue registrations to providers who offer gambling-related services under the canopy of their frameworks. In Ontario, the regulating authorities managing and conducting gambling activities in the province are iGaming Ontario and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission Ontario.
Online Gambling
Does the law governing gambling in Canada extend to online gambling? The short answer is yes it does. Gambling laws Canada makes most forms of gambling in the country illegal unless managed by a provincial government.
Some provincial authorities have set up their own government operated platforms, or like in Ontario’s case, their own regulated market for private operators. This means companies can legally offer their online gambling services to players within the province. It is a requirement for players to use a geolocator while accessing regulated online casinos in the Ontarian market, to ensure they are indeed playing from Ontario.
Summary of Canada’s Online Gambling Laws
Here is a quick summary of online gambling laws in Canada. The Canadian Criminal Code gives provincial governments the authority to conduct and manage gambling within their provinces. These provinces have developed separate government entities known as lottery corporations to carry out their activities. These lottery corporations also provide betting services and register online gambling operators. Players can bet on offshore sites and on sites that are registered with the regulatory authority in that province. Operators can also offer bets to Canadians from other parts of the world.
Canadian Gambling Laws in Ontario
Unlike the rest of Canada, Ontario has opened its iGaming market to third parties i.e., online gambling operators and manufacturers. In November 2020, Ontario’s government shared plans to open its iGaming market that will be regulated by the Alcohol and Gambling Commission of Ontario (AGCO). Companies who wish to offer online gambling services to players in Ontario would have to enter an agreement with iGO (iGaming Ontario) and be registered with the AGCO. In the fall of the following year, iGO (iGaming Ontario) started registering companies and online gambling operators. Ontario launched its iGaming market in April 2022, becoming the first Canadian province to do so. Learn more about online gambling regulations in Ontario in the sections below.
Regulations in Ontario
Ontario’s iGaming regulations differ from the rest of Canada. Nonetheless, they remain compliant with federal regulations governing gambling activities. The bodies that regulate and manage online gambling in Ontario are iGaming Ontario and AGCO. Since only government entities have the authority to offer bets, iGaming Ontario is considered the entity providing betting services in the eyes of the law. Basically, iGO serves as a central point that connects the customers to operators while acting as a connection between the operator and government regulatory authorities.
Operators who want to set up casinos in Ontario must have an agreement with iGO and then be registered with AGCO. This extends to independent integrity monitors and game developers operating in Ontario. Operators do not need to be residents of Canada to be registered with AGCO. AGCO’s role is to regulate Ontario’s iGaming market using what can be described as a standards-based approach. What this means is that AGCO set standards that they expect operators to meet. These standards are based on elaborate principles and goals that they have for the market.
As part of AGCO’s high standards, operators must also provide a variety of responsible gambling resources and tools. To ensure that users don’t abuse online gambling sites, AGCO requires providers to implement strict Know Your Customer, Anti-Money Laundering and Customer Due Diligence measures. Other responsible gambling measures, such as time-outs, self-exclusion, deposit limits and loss limits must also be made available for players in Ontario.
Best Online Casino in Ontario
As Canada amends its gambling laws to make more room for legal gambling and Ontario opens its iGaming market, new casinos seem to be appearing out of the blue. This makes the decision of choosing the best online casino from a sea of choices difficult. The best online casino in Canada offers players a unique and immersive online gambling experience. You may get access to safe and secure sites that offer hundreds of slots and table games. Online casino operators in Canada also offer players the option of what games in real time and placing bets.
The best Canadian online casino delivers high quality and exciting games from renowned gaming software providers. The platforms are well-designed with mobile gaming options. Most online casinos in Canada have website that are fully optimised for hitch-free mobile gaming. Make deposits using any of the convenient and secure banking options available and be eligible for online casino bonus offers and promotions.
The best online casinos provide players with standard customer support options, including telephone lines, email and 24⁄7 live chat. Customer support agents at these online casinos are generally friendly, knowledgeable, and prompt with their responses. See our selection of the best online casinos in Ontario below:
Betway Casino
Betway casino is registered with AGCO and works in agreement with iGaming Ontario to provide 100% legal betting services to players in Ontario. The casino has been offering betting services to players around the world since 2006. Betway casino is also licenced in Malta by the MGA and eCOGRA certified for fair play which guarantees that players enjoy a secure and safe gambling experience. Betway has built a reputation for offering good quality games to bettors. Players in Ontario can now enjoy a games library of 400+ on the official Betway Ontario sites. The games at this online casino are by reputable software providers, such as NetEnt, Evolution Gaming, and Microgaming. They include the popular titles Big Bass Bonanza Megaways, Gates of Olympus, and Lara Croft Tomb of the Sun.
In addition to a superior game list by the software provider Microgaming, Betway delivers to players 24⁄7 customer support via live chat and email. At Betway Ontario, players can wager in Canadian dollars by making instant deposits using any of the reliable and convenient payment methods, listed in the casino’s banking page. Some of the deposit and withdrawal methods available to players in Ontario include EntroPay Card, Visa, InstaDebit, PaysafeCard, eCheck, amongst others.
Royal Vegas
Royal Vegas casino is another online casino staying compliant with the online gambling laws in Canada. Royal Vegas was founded in 2000 and continues to offer bettors safe and secure betting options in slots and tables games. Licenced in Ontario by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), and in Malta by the MGA, Royal Vegas is subject to very strict regulations for fairness, transparency, and security. In addition to its licences, Royal Vegas is also eCOGRA certified for fair play. The casino brand is one of the best in Ontario offering players over 700 good quality games, most of which are by the software developer Microgaming. The games available at Royal Vegas include slots games, like Mega Moolah, as well as table games, such as blackjack, roulette and much more. You can easily navigate through the site from your desktop or your mobile device for a more personal experience. Players who choose to make real money bets at this site can do so by making a deposit using any of the deposit methods on the sites. Royal Vegas Casinos banking options are safe and protected with 128-bit SSL encryption. Deposit and withdrawal methods include Visa, eCheck, Skrill, Neteller etc.
LeoVegas Casino
LeoVegas casino is another online casino taking advantage of Ontario’s expanding iGaming market. The casino brand is held in high esteem by players around the world for the quality of its services. LeoVegas Casino first obtained a licenced in Malta from the MGA. It’s also regulated in the UK by the UKCG and in Ontario by AGCO. Since its launch, Leo Vegas has won several awards, including ‘Online Casino of the Year 2021’. LeoVegas’ Ontario site caters only to players in Ontario. Bettors from other parts of Canada can place bets on the MGA regulated website.
LeoVegas casino Ontario offers players over 1500+ games including slots and table games. The list continues to grow as LeoVegas adds new releases to their game catalogue frequently. The games at LeoVegas casino are from big time software developers, like NetEnt, IGT and Microgaming. The Ontario site of this online casino includes LeoVegas full service with a Live Casino and an expansive sportsbook. Enjoy 24⁄7 live chat and email support at this Ontario gambling site. Make easy deposits and processes withdrawals with a good number of easy to use and reliable banking options, such as e-wallets, cards(Visa and Mastercard) or make payments with bank transfers.
PlayOJO Casino
PlayOJO Casino has received a licenced to operate in Ontario from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). The casino was launched in 2017 and has been licenced in the UK and in Malta by the MGA. The Ontario version of the site is strictly regulated and adheres to AGCO’s standards of safe, secure, and fair services and well as offering residents in Ontario responsible gambling resources and tools. Players in Ontario can bet on over 3,000 games on the PlayOJO site. Those include slots like the Wolf Gold, Big Bass Bonanza, Book of Dead, and Buffalo Kings Megaways. They also include other table games and slot titles that you might find interesting. If you enjoy live dealer games, you will find PlayOJO’s live casino truly entertaining. With 33 live dealer baccarat varieties and betting options from as little as $1 to as much as $10,000, the casino is a good fit for every kind of player.
When it comes to payment options available at PlayOJO, players in Ontario will not be disappointed with PlayOJO’s offer. There is quite a variety of deposit and withdrawal options available at this Ontario casino including Visa, bank transfer, Interac and MuchBetter. Good customer support is a very important consideration when choosing an online casino. PlayOJO offers players in Ontario a multichannel support service which includes an informative FAQ section, live chat, email, and telephone lines which are available round the clock. The response time for requests is prompt and support agents are friendly and knowledgeable.
Conclusion
Although gambling is technically illegal in Canada, you can still enjoy safe and secure online gambling in the country. In addition to playing on regulated offshore websites, Canada Gambling Laws now give provisions for provincial governments to conduct and manage gambling activities within their provinces. For Ontario citizens, look out for platforms that are registered with iGO and AGCO. Remember to place bets on sites with licences, SSL encryption technology and a high reputation rating.
As you explore the wonders of online gambling, remember to be responsible. Do not bet more than you can afford to lose, be strategic with managing your bankroll, and do not prioritize gambling over relationships, work, and other activities. If your gambling habits begin to get out of control, please seek professional help or make use of the responsible gambling tools that are available.
Frequently Asked Questions about Online Casino in Canada
What is the legal age to access online casinos in Canada?
The legal age to access online casinos in Canada is 19 but for some provinces like Calgary, Montreal, Alberta, and Ottawa where individuals 18 and above can place bets. Underaged gambling is a big security risk and players below the age of 19 will not be admitted to licenced casinos in Ontario. Verify the regulations in your province before you sign up at any online casino.
How can Canadians deposit and withdraw funds on online casino platforms?
Online casino platforms offer players a good number of deposit and withdrawal methods includes bank transfer, e-wallets, and cards. Check the casino’s ‘cashier’ page to see the banking options that they offer. Different banking options offer varying levels of convenience and security. The processing time for each payment method would also differ. Bank transfers typically take a longer time to process payments while you can typically deposit and withdraw funds with other payment options like e-wallets.
Are winnings from online casinos taxable in Canada?
Winnings that are earned through recreational gambling are not subject to taxation in Canada. What this means is that unless you are a professional gambler, your winnings from online casinos will not be subject to any tax reductions.