Home / Gambling Regulations in Canada
Adam Nadeau
by Adam Nadeau
Gambling Regulations in Canada MOBILE

Gambling in Canada

In 1985, the federal government made another decision to delegate full control over gambling to the individual provinces. Meaning, each province had control over gambling laws in its province. Unfortunately, the federal criminal code did not change and merely added more confusion to the issue.

In 2012, the first fully legal online casino was launched in British Columbia with casino games and poker offered to residents of British Columbia. Fast forward to today there are over 80 land based casinos in Canada offering slots and table games. As for online casinos, Canadians have access to thousands of casino sites with some even offering sports betting options.

Players in Canada are not expected to pay any taxes on their winnings, unlike our southern neighbours who can be charged up to 30% on winnings from as little as $1,200 USD. But there are situations where you may be required to pay taxes so pay attention for a couple of minutes and you will find out how you can keep all of your winnings tax-free.

What are the Gambling regulations for each Canadian Province?

There are a total of 10 ten provinces in Canada and each of these is responsible for its own set of regulations with respect to both land-based as well as online gambling. All casinos, bookmakers, lotteries and other gambling operators are required to follow the laws as specified by the governing province in which they are based. While laws are similar across most of the provinces, the types of gambling which are permitted as well as the legal age for gambling do vary slightly.

British Columbia flagGambling regulations in British Columbia

You must be at least 19 years to enter a casino or partake in gambling in British Columbia. Playing in casinos, buying lottery tickets, engaging in online gambling and betting on horse races are all legal under the laws of the province.

Quebec FlagGambling regulations in Quebec

Quebec’s four land-based casinos are definitely a sight to behold, surrounded by stunning landscapes and decked out in extravagant finishings. Their selection of gaming choices are also quite extensive. If you’d rather get some gaming thrills from the comfort of your own home however, you’ll be happy to hear that online casino gambling also completely legal within this province.

Ontario FlagGambling regulations in Ontario

Ontario is currently the only province in Canada that issues licenses to private online operators. A portion of gambling revenue is invested back into the community by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) hence why casinos are considered as both commercial and charitable. Additionally, race tracks also house slot machines and other games, functioning as smaller casinos. Online gambling is also legal across ON.

Alberta FlagGambling regulations in Alberta

While gambling is legal in Alberta, most of the online casino sites are run by offshore gaming operators, some of which are regulated by international gaming watch dogs. The province has a total of 20 land-based casinos, 5 of which are First Nations operators while the other fifteen are non-reservation casinos. The legal here is only 18 years, the same as Manitoba and Quebec.

Nova Scotia flagGambling regulations in Nova Scotia

As the second smallest Canadian province, a surprisingly large proportion of the Nova Scotia population enjoy gambling activities, both land-based as well online. The legal age is 19 years old, like most other provinces, but the major drawback is that residents of the province only have access to ALC.ca websites, making for a rather limited variety of games.

Saskatchewan flagGambling regulations in Saskatchewan

With a total of 9 land-based casinos, Saskatchewan has a large and varied array of slot machines, table games and poker. Officially, the provincial lottery is the only form of gambling that has been legalised in Saskatchewan. However, since regulations only relate to gambling services based and licensed within the province, there’s no law stopping gambling operators based elsewhere from targeting residents.

Manitoba flagGambling regulations in Manitoba

Manitoba boasts a large choice of online gambling sites, making it easy for residents to get their gaming thrills from both desktop and mobile devices. While the official laws on online gambling within the province remain within a grey area however, lotteries, bingo and land-based gambling activities are permitted.

Flag_of_New_BrunswickGambling regulations in New Brunswick

The New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation (NBLGC) is the provincial authority responsible for overseeing most gambling activities. While there are only 2 land-based casinos, lotteries, harness racing and charitable gaming are quite common. Meanwhile, the status on online gaming is also allowed.

Prince Edward Island FlagGambling regulations in Prince Edward Island

Canada’s smallest province happens to have one of the lowest gambling rates in the country. However, there is still a healthy variety of gambling activities available, whether it’s land-based casinos, sports betting as well as online operators. It only houses 2 physical betting venues though so it’s wiser to go online if you want more choice.

Newfoundland and Labrador flagGambling regulations in Newfoundland and Labrador

It’s pretty much slim pickings when it comes to land-based gambling in Newfoundland and Labrador, with just one casino and another smaller ‘racino’ – basically a racetrack with a handful of casino games. Gambling just doesn’t seem to appeal to residents as much as it does in other provinces. However, the good news is that online gambling has not been banned here, meaning that you can still access gambling products online.

Different rules for different provinces and territories

Provinces and territories are for most part self-governing, which is why they have been allowed to pass their own laws, rules and regulations when it comes to gambling. This means that the rules could be different depending on where you are in Canada.

Taxation is only really an issue if you are a professional gambler as outlined above, no matter where you are in the country. The difference though is that tax rates do in each of the ten provinces and three territories.

Quebec has the highest tax rates in Canada. The first $43,790 of a taxable income is subject to a 15% rate. The next $43,785 comes with an additional 20% rate, and if you earn an additional $18,980, that chunk of income will be taxed at 24%. Any income from $106,555 is taxed at 25.75%.

The lowest rates are in Nunavut where you only pay 4% on the first $45,414, 7% on the following $35,415, and 9% on the next $56,838. If you earn six figures, each amount of $147,667 will be taxed at 11.5%. All these rather confusing rates will apply to professional gamblers.

How much money is gambling worth in Canada?

Revenue from the gambling sector in Canada provides around $12.4 billion each year. This money is generated from land based casinos, lotteries, race tracks, and more. Here’s how this looks at a provincial level:

Province Gambling revenue per year Number of Casinos Number of Lottery Outlets
Atlantic Provinces (New Brunswick, PEI, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland) $1.1 billion 6 3,000
British Columbia $2.7 billion 30 4,300
Manitoba $814 million 6 913
Ontario $6.3 billion 25 9,900
Quebec $2.7 billion 6 8.500
Saskatchewan $773 million 8 909

Gambling Taxes on players

If you are a professional gambler or looking to become one, and are asking can I be taxed on my gambling winnings? The short answer is no, but there are exceptions. You see, gambling is not considered a viable source of income, so the government tends to stay out of your business. After all, gambling isn’t exactly a career you can put down on your tax returns.

Still, there are professional gamblers out there who do earn most of their “income” from playing games of chance. These players may actually be expected to pay taxes on their prizes unless they can prove that they also have a reliable source of income that will provide a sustainable living.

Who Operates Casinos in Canada?

There are quite a few operators who provide online casino gaming for Canadians. Some of them are based within Canadian borders and some are based offshore and licensed by Canadian authorities. Here’s a look at the biggest providers of online casinos and betting activities in Canada.

Name Licensed by
Jackpot City Kahnawake Gaming Commission and MGA
Playolg.ca Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario
Espacejeux Loto-Québec
Playnow British Columbia Lottery Corporation
WCLC.com Western Canadian Lottery Corperation

How old do you have to be to gamble in Canada?

The legal age for gambling in Canada varies slightly according to the different provinces.

Province Legal Gambling Age
Alberta 18
British Columbia 19
Manitoba 18
New Brunswick 19
Newfoundland and Labrador 19
Nova Scotia 19
Ontario 19
Prince Edward Island 19
Quebec 18
Saskatchewan 19

Who issues licenses for online casinos?

Every legal casino, whether it’s land-based or online, needs to have a gambling license in its possession. Gambling licenses are issued by various independent licensing authorities. These are federal governments that have enacted legislation that gives them the right to regulate and license online gambling operations. Trusted independent regulatory authorities can provide gambling licenses.

The top licensing authorities are the Malta Gaming Authority, iGaming Ontario, the UK Gambling Commission, the Kahnawake Gambling Commission, the Gibraltar Gambling Commission, and Curacao eGaming.

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is an independent regulatory body responsible for the governance of all gaming activity in sectors including remote gambling, casinos, lottery, sweepstakes, bingo, sports betting and games of skill in Malta, including both land-based and online.

Other MGA-licensed casinos

MegaRush Casino 21.com Casino
Wildz Casino Mozzart Casino
Wheelz Casino Casino Joy
NeonVegas Casino SlotWolf Casino

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) licenses and regulates businesses and those employed by casinos that provide gambling services in Great Britain. The gambling commission operates under the Gambling Act 2005. This was set up to regulate commercial gambling such as the National Lottery in Britain, and its main focus is to ensure gambling businesses are compliant with the Act’s standards. Prior to the UK Gambling Commission awarding a gambling license, the following elements are considered; identity and ownership, integrity, competence, and criminality.

Other UKGC-licensed casinos

Party Casino LVBet
Vegas Hero Casino Energy Casino
PlayOJO Amazon Slots
PlayToro Casino Planet

The Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC) has been continuously licensing and regulating online gaming since July 8, 1999, making it one of the oldest gambling commissions in the world. It licenses and regulate gaming and gaming related activities conducted within and from the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake, which is located 20 minutes from Montréal, and occupies approximately 20 square miles.

Other Kahnawake-licensed casinos

Yukon Gold Jackpot City
Zodiac Casino Spin Casino
Apollo Slots Grand Mondial Casino
Golden Tiger Casino Villento Casinos

Curacao eGaming is recognized as one of the longest standing and politically stable gaming license providers. Its mission is to ensure legal conduct and the integrity of operators since 1996. A single license covers all forms of interactive eGaming including games of skill, lottery, sports betting and casinos.

Other Curacao-licensed casinos

Casino4U 7Bit Casino
Slototop Casino Pokie Place Casino
SpinAway Casino Griffon Casino
BetPat Casino Casino Friday

Who issues licenses for online casinos?

All gambling operations in Gibraltar need to be licensed under the 2005 Gambling Act. Remote Gambling licences, including for telephone and Internet betting, are issued by the Licensing Authority. The Gambling Commissioner ensures that licensees conduct their operations in accordance with their licenses, maintaining Gibraltar’s good reputation as an iGaming jurisdiction.

Other Gibraltar-licensed casinos

Betfair Casino Paddy Power Casino
William Hill Casino VoodooDreamz Casino
Casumo Casino Duelz Casino
Mansion Casino NYSpins Casino

What are the gambling regulations about advertising in Canada?

When it comes to showing advertising related to gambling, Canadian law is pretty clear cut. The Criminal Code prohibits the advertisement of gambling except where it is operated by a provincial government or charitable organizations.

For example

  • All advertising shown in Canada must comply and adhere to the federal Competition Act and individual provincial consumer protection laws.
  • Where the advertisement of gambling is allowed, protections must be in place to discourage minors from gambling. Responsible gaming messages must also be featured
  • Gambling advertisements must not encourage reckless behaviour or spending beyond ones financial means.
  • Advertisers must also not imply or infer that winning is a probable outcome of gambling

Failure to comply with these advertising measures can result in federal prosecutions and in some cases custodial sentences.

How to protect your winnings in Canada

For now, only professional gamblers are taxed and to be considered a pro pretty much all of your income must come from gambling. This is rather difficult to achieve when you’re playing games of chance in any casino.

The best way to make sure that your winnings are exempt of taxes is to have another job or career with a taxable income. Keep in mind that laws and regulations can change over time in each province and territory. The best thing to do is to make sure you have either an accountant or a tax lawyer just in case Canada Revenue Agency come knocking on your door.

Also, make sure you read up on the specific tax rates where you live so you don’t get hit with a nasty surprise if you happen to hit that massive million dollar jackpot.

References

Globe and Mail

Canadian Gaming Association

Wikipedia

Canada Revenue Agency

FAQs About Gambling in Canada

faq-icon

Are Casino winnings in Canada Taxable?

The straight answer to this question is “No”, assuming that you are not a professional player. But if you are, then that’s a different story.

faq-icon

Are poker winnings taxable in Canada?

When it comes to poker winnings, things are a little more complex. Canadian law dictates that ‘Poker winnings are subject to tax if they are “income from a business.”‘ This means that eventually, winning players might be subjected to tax consequences especially if they appear to be “make a living” from these winnings or if they increase their frequency of play.

So, then this begs the question when does playing winning poker amount to a business?

Well, according to TheGlobeAndMail,

“The Income Tax Act doesn’t provide an answer. And there’s no reported case explaining precisely when the net winnings of individual poker players are subject to income tax. In the entire body of reported Canadian case law on the related question of the taxation of gambling winnings more generally, there are only a few cases where individual gamblers have been found to be in the business of gambling. The upshot for poker players is that it’s probably in only unusually active, skilful and financially successful circumstances that they will face Canadian income tax liability on their winnings. The central legal difficulty arises in determining at which point a taxpayer crosses the line from playing poker casually to playing professionally or as a business.”

faq-icon

If I win the lottery, will my winnings be taxed?

When it comes to lottery winnings, the idea is fairly similar, but the conditions change due to the nature of the game. According to the Canada Revenue Agency’s windfall rules, if you win money from a lottery, you are not required to report the winnings nor pay tax on those funds. In fact, the CRA has not instituted a cap or limit on these winnings. The only thing to look out for though is that any interest earned from the winnings will be subject to taxation.

The exception to the rule in the case of lottery winnings is if your winnings are considered to be a part of your income. For instance, if your job is selling lottery tickets and you earn a commission for selling winning tickets, you must report your winnings as income.

The bottom line is unless you are a professional poker player or an employee selling lottery tickets, you can rest assured that no tax consequences will be involved.

faq-icon

Who's responsibility is to stop underage gambling in Canada?

Online operators are obliged to implement several measures across their site to ensure that minors are unable to access any of the services. These policies are in line with responsible gaming initiatives which all licensed and regulated operators must promote to protect customers. A detailed identity verification process is part of these measures to prevent underage gambling.

However, it also falls under the responsibility of the legal guardian to take the necessary precautions to ensure minors have no way of accessing such services. Making use of child-protection software, such as Cyber Patrol, Net Nanny or CYBERsitter is an effective way to block gambling sites from minors.

faq-icon

What terms need to be met to get a gambling license in Canada?

  • Audited accounts
  • A detailed description of the business
  • List of casino games and gambling services provided
  • Verified ID
  • Background check
faq-icon

Who Licenses Lotteries in Canada?

Since playing the lottery is a form of gambling, the running and licensing of lotteries in Canada is treated as seriously as that of casinos.

In 1976 The Interprovincial Lottery Corporation (ILC) was founded to operate and oversee lottery games. It is owned jointly by the five provincial lottery commissions: Atlantic Lottery Corporation (serving New Foundland and Labrador, PEI, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. British Columbia Lottery Corporation, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, Loto-Québec, and the Western Canada Lottery Corporation.

faq-icon

Is sports betting legal in Canada?

Legal online sports betting has been available in Canada since 1985, with each province able to regulate sports betting inside its borders. On April 4 2022, Ontario became the first province to host a competitive sports betting market.

Adam Nadeau
Adam Nadeau Author
23 Articles Adam Nadeau - linkedin
Adam is the founding father of the site and has been around since the very beginning. He started Playcasinos.ca out of a college dorm room in 2013 as a personal blog documenting his favorite slots and sharing his games expertise with the world. Since... Read more about Adam Nadeau