Sports betting in Canada is a rapidly evolving landscape, with varying degrees of friendliness depending on the province or territory. The country has made significant strides in recent years to modernize its approach to sports betting, reflecting the global trend toward legalization and regulation.
In August 2021, the Canadian federal government passed Bill C-218, also known as the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act. This legislation amended the Criminal Code to allow single-event sports betting, which was previously prohibited. Before this, Canadians could only bet on parlays, where multiple bets were linked together. The change has had a profound impact on the sports betting industry across the country.
Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, has been at the forefront of embracing the new sports betting regulations. The province launched its regulated online gambling market in April 2022, allowing private operators to offer single-event sports betting alongside casino games. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) oversees the licensing and regulation, ensuring a safe and competitive market. This move has attracted major international betting companies, providing a wide array of options for Ontario residents.
Quebec has also been proactive in adapting to the new legal framework for sports betting. Loto-Québec, the provincial lottery operator, expanded its offerings to include single-event sports betting shortly after the federal legislation passed. Betting expert Neil Roarty shares that 20% of people in Quebec have reportedly shown an interest in sports betting, making it a popular pastime. Punters can choose to wager at sites regulated by Loto-Québec or wager via offshore international sites. Roarty explains that the best sportsbooks in Quebec are typically reviewed based on their deposit and payout methods, payout times, customer service, range of sports offered, and more.
In the western provinces, British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba have similarly integrated single-event sports betting into their existing gaming frameworks. British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) operates the PlayNow platform, where residents can place bets on a range of sports. Alberta and Manitoba offer sports betting through their respective provincial lottery corporations, with plans to potentially expand the market to private operators in the future.
The Atlantic provinces, including New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador, are served by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC). ALC has also incorporated single-event sports betting into its offerings, allowing residents of these provinces to engage in this form of gambling legally and safely.
The northern territories of Canada—Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut—have not yet developed robust sports betting markets. These regions rely on the Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC) for their gaming needs, including sports betting. Some players in these regions frequent online casinos and sportsbooks in order to place their wagers.
Overall, Canada’s approach to sports betting has become increasingly friendly, with the federal government setting the stage for provinces and territories to regulate and offer single-event sports betting. The degree of friendliness and availability varies across the country, with Ontario and Quebec leading the way in providing comprehensive sports betting options to their residents. The western provinces and Atlantic provinces have also embraced the changes, while the northern territories remain less developed in this aspect.
As the industry continues to grow and evolve, it is expected that more provinces may open their markets to private operators, further enhancing the sports betting experience for Canadians.
