The Status of Online Casino Licensing & Regulation in Canada
One of the most popular entertainment activities in Canada is betting and playing in casinos for real money. However, the gambling laws in the country are considered rather complicated as is the case in many other jurisdictions throughout the world.
Gambling Regulations in Canada
Gambling laws in Canada were historically very strict. Only very limited forms of gambling were permitted. You could not bet on anything in Canada besides charity lotteries, horse races, and lotteries found at fairs before 1969.
The federal government, however, made drastic changes to the Criminal Code that relaxed things quite significantly. The reformed Criminal Code allowed individual Canadian provinces to regulate gambling activities in their specific regions, which resulted in several land-based casinos being opened throughout the country.
Today, there are several government-approved sports betting outlets, which are mostly run by an organization known as Sports Select. The betting operations are referred to by different names in different provinces and while they represent a perfectly legal way for Canadians to bet on sports, they offer limited ways to bet.
Online Casino Licensing and Regulation in Canada
The general gambling regulations in Canada are quite straightforward, but things get a bit more complicated when it comes to online casino licensing and regulation. Today, there's no law in Canada that specifically makes online gambling legal. Similarly, there isn't a single law that makes online gambling illegal.
Some of the Canadian provinces actually run their own online casinos and many of the government-approved betting outlets allow players to place bets online. While the casinos run by the provinces don't offer as much variety and action as those recommended by safecasinos.ca, they allow Canadians to legally gamble online.
Online Casino Licensing & Regulation Authorities in Canada
Here are the different authorities responsible for regulating and licensing gambling operations in various provinces in Canada:
- Ontario: Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation
- British Columbia: BCLC
- Quebec: Loto Quebec
- Nova Scotia: Alcohol, Gaming, Fuel and Tobacco Division of Nova Scotia
- New Brunswick: New Brunswick Gaming Control
- Manitoba: Liquor and Gaming Commission of Manitoba
- Alberta: Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission
- New Foundland: Service NL
- Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority
- Prince Edward Island: Prince Edward Island Lotteries Commission
Are Canadians Allowed to Gamble Online?
The laws in Canada make it very clear that it is illegal to offer online gambling services of any kind to the citizens of Canada unless approved and licensed by the government. The true gray area when it comes to online casino licensing and regulation is for casinos that are based and operated overseas, but permit Canadians to use their gambling platforms.
Under Canadian law, it would appear as if this was illegal at first glance. However, the law makes it clear that if such online casinos are based somewhere where online gambling is legal, then it is possible to make the case that Canadian laws aren't applicable.
If you are a Canadian gambler looking to play online, you should only use a regulated casino with an offshore gambling jurisdiction such as the Malta Gaming Authority, the UK Gambling Commission, etc. If you use such a casino, you can be sure that it will be subjected to strict regulation to ensure responsible gambling, player protection, and fairness.
