Since 1985, every province in Canada has had the power to self-govern its own gambling laws. This signalled a huge change from the federal Criminal Code in 1892, which created a blanket ban on gambling in any form throughout the country.
Over the last thirty years, Canada has emerged as one of the most tolerant and gambling-friendly places in the world. Whether you enjoy visiting online casino sites like Omni Slots on your phone or like to make a night of it at a bricks-and-mortar casino, you’re sure to find plenty of opportunities to try your luck in Canada. But how do the gambling laws vary by province?
If you’re planning to travel in Canada, it’s important to know each province’s stance on gambling to ensure you’re always on the right side of the law. In this post, we’ll be guiding you through the country’s gambling laws, so you can know how to have fun responsibly.
Gambling laws by province
Ontario
Ontario has always been at the forefront of gambling in Canada. The province is home to various government-owned casinos – including one based online – and research suggests that over 80% of adults gamble at least once a year. If you’re in Ontario, you’re free to enjoy the following entertainments:
- Land-based casinos
- Online casinos
- Slot machines
- Sports betting (including horse racing)
- Lotteries
- Charitable gaming, such as raffles and bingo
Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
When it comes to gambling, these provinces are some of the most liberal in Canada. Each state has legalised seven different forms of gambling, some of which are publicly owned and others run by private gaming companies.
In addition to the six activities which are legal in Ontario, residents of these provinces are also able to use video lottery terminals (otherwise known as video gaming terminals). These are electronic gambling machines that are often found in bars and restaurants, as well as in casinos.
Planning a trip to Saskatchewan? Here, gambling is particularly popular – in fact, studies suggest that its population spends more on gambling per household than any other state!
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador allows forms of gambling such as sports betting, the lottery, and charitable gaming (which includes raffles and bingo). However, unlike the previous provinces, it doesn’t allow land-based casinos – with the exception of facilities which are opened, run, and used by First Nations tribes.
There is also no state-approved gambling site, but Newfoundland and Labrador residents can visit offshore sites if they want to wager online.
Alberta
Incredibly, more than 4% of Alberta’s revenue is generated by the gambling industry. Its unsurprising, then, that the province’s gambling laws are famously lenient. Residents can enjoy betting on everything from horse racing to charity bingo.
The forms of gambling which are currently legal in Alberta include:
- Horse racing. There are 15 tele-theatres dedicated to horse racing throughout the region.
- Video lottery terminals. Over 6,000 of these machines are currently in operation!
- Sports betting
- Casinos, both online and off
- Lotteries
- Charitable gaming
Although there are a number of restrictions in place that regulate sports betting (for example, you can’t wager more than $250 a day), the online casinos in Alberta are very loosely regulated. The government doesn’t run its own site, and has made it legal to visit any online casino you want!
This content is a joint venture between our publication and our partner. We do not endorse any product or service in the article.