Online Betting in Canada

Learn about online Betting and its legal context in Canada. Find the best betting sites that satisfy your searches, either by sport or your region of residence.

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Online Betting Regulations in Canada

Online betting in Canada is legal, from single-game wagering to parlays. However, it works in a quite unique way: each province has the authority to create their own regulations on sports betting.

The most well known online betting regulation in Canada comes from the capital, Ontario, a region that has opened up to International betting sites to apply for the iGaming Ontario License. It is expected for the rest of Canada to follow suit and create a very similar regulation scheme to the one we find in Ontario.

Online Betting Regulators in Canada by Province

1. New Brunswick

In New Brunswick is the Gaming, Liquor and Security Licensing Branch, under the Department of Justice and Public Safety, who controls and regulates provincial gaming including betting.

At the beginning of August 2021, single-game betting in New Brunswick was legalized, allowing bettors in New Brunswick to have more options for placing their best.

The province doesn’t have an official government-operated gambling site, but anyone looking to bet is allowed to do so at offshore betting sites. The only regulated sports gambling site offered to the residents is ALC’s Pro-Line.

2. Manitoba

Liquor, Gaming & Cannabis Authority of Manitoba regulates and licenses all gambling activities in the province. The Manitoba Gambling Control Commission registers all gaming equipment suppliers to licensed operators within the province.

The province has only one official online betting, PlayNow Manitoba, but no laws restricting residents from gambling at other casinos overseas. Manitoba Sports betting enthusiasts can bet through the Sport Select website and can only bet with a maximum of $250 each day.

3. British Columbia

Gaming Policy & Enforcement Branch (Ministry of Finance) is a branch of the BCLC responsible for the regulatory oversight and licensing of Charitable gambling. The British Columbia Lottery Corporation conducts and manages all commercial gambling activities, including online gambling in the province.

The official way to bet on sports is through PlayNow, though the law doesn’t prevent bettors from registering on betting sites based abroad.

4. Alberta

Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis Commission is an agency responsible for regulating recreational cannabis, alcoholic beverages, and gaming activities in the province. It’s the only regulatory body in Alberta.

Betting is prevalent in this province as residents are not restricted from it. Though players can only make parlay bets, and they can’t spend more than $250 on sports betting per day.

5. Ontario

The AGCO (Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario) oversees and regulates the slots and casino venues in Ontario. The OLG (Ontario Lottery & Gaming) manages and conducts these casinos. The launch of online gambling including online casinos in Ontario is also overseen by the OLG.

Ontario sports betting can bet at any online betting site that has a iGaming Ontario License. Currently, there are more than 30 betting sites in Ontario that consist of mainly international brands that have acquired the Ontario license.

6. Nova Scotia

The Alcohol, Gaming & Tobacco Branch of Service Nova Scotia administers parts of the Gambling Control Act. The Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation regulates and ensures the social responsibility of the gaming industry, while generating significant profits.

However their regulation is quite limited: Online sports betting players can bet at the Pro-Line website (only parlay bets are allowed).

7. Prince Edward Island

The Consumer, Corporate & Insurance Div. (Department of Justice & Public Safety) is an agency that regulates casino nights, raffles, charitable gaming, and bingo. The Prince Edward Island Lotteries Commission is responsible for licensing and managing gaming activities in the province.

Sports bettors looking to place bets can use the Pro-Line betting service that serves the Atlantic provinces, but all adults can freely bet at International betting sites.

8. Quebec

The Quebec Lottery Corporation is the provincial government agency that operates the online gambling in Quebec and regulates bingo, traditional lotteries, and gaming machines in the casinos. The Quebec Alcohol, Racing, and Gaming Commission regulates all casino operations, certain kinds of lotteries, contests, and VLTs.

The gaming laws in Quebec are among the most liberal in Canada, with online bettors allowed to play at several offshore betting sites, including the government-operated Espacejeux. The only regulated betting site in this province is Mise-O-Jeu, and gamblers must only play parlay bets.

9. Saskatchewan

The Indigenous Gaming Regulators regulate and license First Nations charitable gaming activities (on-reserve) via the Band Council Resolutions. Saskatchewan Liquor & Gaming Authority is also responsible for managing all gambling activities in the province, including online betting.

Sports betting in Saskatchewan is legal, provided it’s done through the Sports Select betting service, and every wager placed (except horse racing) is a parlay bet.

10. Northwest Territories

The Department of Municipal & Community Affairs and the Northwest Territories Liquor, Gaming & Cannabis Commission are bodies responsible for regulating alcohol and gambling activities in this territory.

11. Nunavut

The Department of Health is the major regulatory body within this territory. It’s responsible for regulating gambling activities within Nunavut.

12. Yukon

Professional Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Division (Department of Community Services) and Charitable Gaming Licensing are regulatory bodies responsible for managing and licensing gambling activities in the province.

13.Newfoundland & Labrador

Consumer Affairs Div. (Digital Government & Service) is responsible for regulating all gambling activities, including non-profit and charitable organizations’ lottery fundraising, in Newfoundland and Labrador.

All sports gamblers from Newfoundland and Labrador can use the Atlantic Lottery’s Pro-Line service with a maximum wager of $250 daily, although this limit isn’t present at most betting sites based abroad, where residents of this province may also freely bet at.

Legal Age to Start Betting Online Across Canada

In Canada, the average legal gambling age is 19, though this can vary as each provincial government sets its own gambling regulations.

For example, the legal gambling age is 19 in Nova Scotia, Ontario, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories. Conversely, in Manitoba, Alberta, and Québec, individuals can legally gamble at age 18.

This variation means that the specific location significantly influences the applicable gambling age. Additionally, these age requirements also apply to online betting platforms, meaning that, similar to land-based casinos, sports betting sites must verify your age before you can place bets.