The iGaming industry has been growing by leaps and bounds over the course of the last decade. After a
slow start with basic poker rooms, we’ve reached a point where online casinos offer just as many games
as the real thing. The only thing stopping them from providing a nearly identical experience is the lack of
adequate virtual reality tech (and we’re pretty sure that’s on its way!).
The laws governing online gambling have been slow to catch up with reality. Canada has fairly complex
gambling laws and it wasn’t until recently that the federal government determined that each province had
the right to set their own online gambling laws.
Before signing up with an online casino, check the list of legal online casinos in each province. Just
because online gambling is legal in a province doesn’t mean that every online casino can operate there.
Each provincial licensing body must approve the license application from an online casino before it can
operate. Some provinces have very strict limits on the number of sites, others only allow government-run
online casinos, while others have fully embraced the industry.
Below, we’ll give a brief overview of the legal status of online gambling in Canada by going through each
of the provinces and territories.
Alberta
In Alberta, online gambling is legal through the province’s online gambling site. PlayAlberta is regulated
and controlled by the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC). PlayAlberta has over 100 casino
games, including slots and table games. There are also lottery games.
PlayAlberta may not have a permanent monopoly on the industry in the province – this year, the
government passed Bill 16, which will make it possible for the AGLC to license other online casinos.
British Columbia
British Columbia has a similar system to Alberta. There is only one legal online gambling site operating in
the province. PlayNow is operated by the BC Lottery Commission. Players must be 19 years old or older
to gamble in BC.
Manitoba
Manitoba launched its own version of PlayNow once its government saw how successful it had been in
British Columbia. It is regulated and overseen by the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba
(LGCAM).
It is likely that PlayNow will remain Manitoba’s only online casino. There is a healthy gaming market in the
province but it is small enough to not need further expansion.
New Brunswick
The Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) is the regulatory body for all of the Atlantic territories, including
New Brunswick. There is also a specific regulatory agency, the New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming
Corporation.
The ALC site is the only legal online casino in New Brunswick. Alongside the usual casino games, the site
offers lottery games, iBingo and sports betting.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Just like the other Atlantic provinces, Newfoundland and Labrador uses the Atlantic Lottery Corporation
platform. This was the third province to adopt the ALC.
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories do not have any options for legal online gambling. The Lotteries Act established
the existing gambling laws in the territory but they have not yet been amended to include provision for
licensing online casinos.
The population is not large enough to support land-based casinos, but there is interest in offshore online
casinos. So, it is possible that the Northwest Territories will take steps to legalize some form of online
gambling.
Nova Scotia
The Nova Scotia Gambling Corporation is the regulatory agency for the province. Online gambling was
legalized in 2022 and the gaming platform in the province is the ALC.
Nunavut
There are no legal online casinos in Nunavut. However, online sports betting is legal in the territory. There
are also no land-based casinos. This makes sense, due to how sparsely populated the large, icy region
is.
Ontario
Ontario was the first province to legalize online gambling in 2022. Players there must be at least 19 years
old to play at an online casino. The province is at the heart of the iGaming industry in Canada, thanks to
its progressive stance on legislation and regulation.
Online casinos in Ontario are regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
There are currently 69 licensed online casinos in Ontario. iGaming Ontario oversees the industry and
provides information for players.
Quebec
Loto-Québec is the gambling regulator for the province. The only legal online casino is Espacejeux.
Unlike most other provinces, players only need to be 18 years old to play at casinos in person and online.
Online gambling has already managed to generate a massive amount of revenue for the province and
there has been a lot of interest in expanding the online casino offerings. The Quebec Online Gaming
Coalition has been the primary force behind this legislative push.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is another province that uses a PlayNow gambling platform. The Saskatchewan Liquor
and Gaming Authority is the current regulator but it will soon be merged with Lotteries and Gaming
Saskatchewan.
Yukon
The Yukon does not currently have any legal options for online gambling. Some players choose to play at
offshore online casinos, while others enjoy the games available at Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall
in Dawson City, which provides a truly unique frontier gambling experience.