Overview of Online Casino Legislation in Canada

In Canada, there is no central regulatory body that oversees gambling activities. Instead, the Canadian federal government set a primary legislative framework called the Code. The Canadian Federal Criminal Code, referred to as the Code, outlines gaming and gambling offences in sections 201-209. 

These laws state that all forms of betting and gaming activities are illegal in Canada with the exception that they are managed and conducted by provincial governments. Therefore, each province in Canada independently creates its own operator licensing requirements and online/offline gambling regulations. 

Online Casino Legislation in Key Provinces 

As a result of the Code, gambling laws differ across provinces, with some taking a more stringent approach than others. To successfully obtain a gambling license in Canada, you must strategically plan and ensure adherence to provincial regulations. Below, we have highlighted the differences between online casino regulations in Canadian provinces with high betting rates.  

Alberta 

The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) conducts and manages all gaming activities in this province. The AGLC implements strict laws that ban online casinos from operating in Alberta. Only the Alberta government's online casino and sports betting platform, PlayAlberta, launched in 2020, can operate in the province. 

Although internationally licensed online casinos like Slots City https://slotscity.com/ cannot operate in Alberta, citizens are not restricted from accessing them. In April 2024, the Alberta legislature introduced Bill 16, which will allow private online gaming operators to offer their services in the province. The bill received final approval in May 2024, but as of the time of writing, the Alberta online casino regulations remain unchanged.    

British Columbia 

British Columbia has a longer history of embracing online gambling compared to other provinces. In 1985, The provincial government formed the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) to regulate and conduct all gambling activities. In 2004, the BCLC launched its online platform Playnow, which allowed residents to buy its lottery products online. 

This made the BCLC the first Canadian lottery corporation to offer online gambling. In 2010, BCLC updated PlayNow to offer sports betting, casino games, and lottery. PlayNow is the only licensed and regulated online gambling platform in BC, and the provincial government does not intend to amend its online casino regulations. 

Manitoba 

In 1984, the Manitoba Lotteries Foundation was created and delegated the responsibility of conducting and managing all casinos, bingo, and lottery ticket distribution. The foundation became a crown corporation in 1993 and re-established itself as the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation (MLC). 

The MLC, now known as the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba (LGCA), regulates and oversees PlayNow Manitoba. In 2012, the Manitoba government decided to partner with British Columbia Lottery Corporation to offer online gambling services to Manitoba. They created a Manitoba site for online sports betting and casino gaming based on the BCLC PlayNow platform. 

PlayNow Manitoba is the sole existing online gambling platform in Manitoba. This partnership was formed to combat the province's unregulated existing online gambling market. Despite the province not allowing foreign-based operators, there is no rule prohibiting residents from gambling at licensed offshore bookmakers.

Ontario 

Online casino gaming is legal in Ontario as long as you're playing at any site licensed and regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).  In 2022, Ontario province decided to end its gaming monopoly market and foster competition. It is the first Canadian province to allow offshore online casinos like SlotsCity to operate in its jurisdiction. Some popular online casinos you can legally play at in ontario include;

• Caesars sportsbook & Casino,
• BetMGM Casino,
• Jackpot City Casino,
• DraftKings Casino.

AGCO made this possible by amending its online gambling regulations and creating a subsidiary body, iGaming Ontario (iGO). This body is responsible for conducting and managing Ontario's online casino gaming and sports betting market. 

Before you can operate your gambling platform in the province, you have to secure a license with iGaming Ontario. The regulatory body has implemented strict laws that bookmakers and casino operators must adhere to, ensuring a gaming market that protects consumers.  

Final Thoughts 

Several Canadian provinces may adjust their regulations as the online gambling industry evolves. Of all the provinces, Ontario has the best gaming regulation system as it allows private gaming operators to offer residents various options. 

Other provinces like Alberta are making progressive regulatory adjustments to combat the market's grey area. Amidst all these changes, it is important to be informed as an operator or player. You have to ensure that you understand the current online casino legislation in Canada to prevent getting fined or incarcerated.