There are not many Canadians who are aware that single-event sports betting is legal in the country, according to recent data. Even fewer people know they can play online casino games legally.

A likely reason for this confusion is that the laws regarding gambling are determined at the provincial level. Each province also has widely different rules currently in force.

Ontario is the province where online gambling rules are the most liberal. There are several land-based options available. Moreover, private online casinos can now apply for licenses to operate.

In other provinces, there are regulated physical casinos and a few official gambling sites where Canadians can bet and play. However, there’s also a strong presence of offshore online casinos which attract players by offering more attractive features. For example, these sites offer bigger casino bonuses that give more chances to try and win. They also include a vast collection of games and slots, live casino sections and other features.

In this article, you are going to find more details on the exact state of gambling in each Canadian province.

Ontario

Ontario has the most progressive gambling laws in Canada. In April 2022, the province authorized sports betting and introduced a framework to offer online casinos commercially.

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation has licensed several gaming websites, some of which cover sports as well. If you live in areas like Toronto and Ottawa, you can bet through different popular sportsbooks and online casinos.

This province prohibits offshore casinos from operating within its jurisdiction without a license. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) banned the advertising of iGaming services by foreign unlicensed operators in October 2022.

Nova Scotia

Similar to other East Coast jurisdictions, Nova Scotia regulates gambling through the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC).

The ALC provides both sports betting and casino game titles, with several popular slots and table games. It also features a live casino option.

However, the industry faces strong competition from offshore casinos. Foreign operators provide better odds, higher betting limits and more advantageous offers.

Nova Scotia provides land-based options in this area for in-person betting through ALC retailers.

Alberta

This province regulates gambling through the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC).

Online gambling is offered by PlayAlberta.ca. This platform offers a small selection of casino games, from slots and virtual poker to live casino games. It also features legal sports betting, both local and international sports.

In addition, people who are attracted by a real-life atmosphere can find different land-based casinos in this province.

British Columbia

British Columbia introduced sports betting (parlays) and lotto games in 2004. It added poker in 2009 and games of chance in 2010. This province offers gambling through land-based casinos and online via PlayNow.com, a website governed by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC).

The BCLC ensures that PlayNow.com operates in compliance with provincial laws and regulations, with a focus on responsible gambling measures and player protection. British Columbia has implemented various safeguards to promote responsible gambling, including self-exclusion programs, age verification measures, and support services for problem gambling.

Manitoba

This province regulates the industry through the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation (MBLL). You can find the site PlayNow.com in this region too and it is the only one allowed to offer betting as well as online casinos.

The website offers single-event, parlays, props, futures and live betting. It also features a casino section with slots and table games.

You can also bet in person through Sport Select and by visiting a few of the physical casinos available in this territory.

New Brunswick

New Brunswick is one of the latest Canadian provinces with casino gaming options. For a long time, the jurisdiction only permitted online lotto and bingo games.

The Atlantic Lottery Corporation regulates all gambling activities in the province. It also provides mobile betting through its website alc.ca. Meanwhile, you can find retail options controlled by the New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation.

Newfoundland and Labrador

The Atlantic Lottery Corporation provides online casino games in this region through alc.ca. It offers a small library of slot machines, including jackpots and classic slots. It also features a sportsbook with all the major Canadian sports leagues.

At the moment, there are no land-based casinos available in this province. This means that you can only gamble online.

Prince Edward Island

Legal sports betting arrived in Prince Edward Island in August 2021. The Atlantic Lottery Corporation provides online sports betting in the province through Pro Line Stadium.

In addition, players can also gamble in person through a few retail locations.

Although this province is home to two physical casinos, Red Shores Summerside and Red Shores Charlottetown, sports betting is not available in these two. They’re limited to casino games.

Quebec

In Quebec, the online gambling landscape is regulated by the Quebec Alcohol, Racing and Gaming Commission (RACJ). The province offers a government-run online gambling platform called Espacejeux, which provides various games such as slots, table games, and sports betting.

However, data has shown that gamblers in this region would like Quebec to move towards a regulated commercial market instead of the current situation. Many players choose to play at privately operated platforms instead at the moment.

There are retail casinos available in this province, such as the popular Casino de Montréal.

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan is home to nine retail casinos that offer casino games like slots and poker. The province does not currently offer its own government-run online gambling platform. Instead, residents of Saskatchewan have access to a variety of legal and regulated online gambling options provided by licensed operators based outside the province.

The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) oversees the licensing and regulation of both land-based and online gambling activities.

Northern Territories, Nunavut and Yukon

Bettors in the Northern Territories can bet on sports in person through Sport Select. The same company provides retail sports betting in Nunavut and Yukon.

If you want to play casino games or bet on sports online in these areas or the Northern Territories, your best option is to use an offshore gambling site.

Conclusion

As we can see, the Canadian gambling sector is currently made up of lots of rules and regulations. As there are many provinces, the situation for players can be quite confusing.

However, the fact that Ontario has managed to simplify them is significant. That’s because it could pave the way for other provinces to follow in future for a more progressive way of looking at this industry.