iGaming launched in Ontario, Canada, in April 2022 and Operators from around the globe are scrambling to apply for licenses from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission to operate in the province. This is a significant development for Canada’s traditionally conservative and highly-regulated gambling sector.
Gambling is prohibited in Canada with the exception of government run lotteries, and now if you are present in the State of Ontario. Therefore, only activities organized or overseen by provincial authorities qualify as legal commercial gaming and betting.
Provinces have formed independent gaming authorities that register and control gambling operators in order to achieve this.
The competition from online gambling providers based outside of Canada makes the position for businesses operating in Canada even more difficult. Foreign businesses that offer gambling services to Canadians are exempt from Canadian legislation and are not required to register with local authorities, which obvioulsy makes it incredibly difficult for businesses to be profitable.
However, over the past few years, the country has relaxed its restrictions and streamlined the registration process which we saw evidence of well before the launch of online gambling & sports wagering. In 2021, the Canadian government, revoked the law prohibiting the placing of bets on individual games.
Province by Province look at Gaming Regulations
While there are many parallels between the provinces and their regulations (such as who can operate, how to register, etc.), there are also differences. As we tend to make presumptions more than research fact, Best Betting Site Advisor has compiled the hyperlinks that get you the information straight from the source.
Alberta
Only charitable and religious groups are permitted to register as gaming service providers with the Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission. In addition, PlayAlberta.ca is the only licensed online gambling website in the province. explains the main regulations that operating entities must adhere to Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Act.
British Columbia
Businesses are permitted to operate in accordance with their provision thanks to the The Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch of the Ministry of Finance (British Columbia). The Gaming Control Act of 2002 establishes the gaming laws in British Columbia. Like Alberta, only PlayNow is a regulated online gaming website in this jurisdiction.
Manitoba
Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation is in charge of overseeing the operators of gambling establishments. The body registers businesses and maintains the fairness of the province’s lotteries and gaming. It also investigates the histories of registered businesses. The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act and The Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation Act. must be adhered to by businesses that wish to conduct business in Manitoba.
New Brunswick
The Gaming Control Branch of the Department of Public Safety is in charge of registering gambling service providers. The authority enables businesses to create, plan, carry out, administer, and conduct lottery programs on behalf of the province government. The province’s 2008 Gaming Control Act is the primary rule in this area.
Newfoundland and Labrador
The province solely permits non-profitable games of chance, bingo, lotteries, and card games and does not have any land-based casinos all of which are regulated by The Consumer Affairs Division, Consumer and Commercial Affairs Branch of Service NL.
NorthWest Territories
There is no one law that provides an overview of the Province’s regulations. Over the past few years, the country has relaxed its restrictions and streamlined the registration process which we saw evidence of well before the launch of online gambling & sports wagering. In November 2021, the Canadian government, revoked the law prohibiting the placing of bets on individual games.
However, online gambling isn’t illegal in the Northwest Territories and are some well established online Casinos that operate here.
Nova Scotia
The responsibility for registering gaming service providers is within the purview of The Alcohol, Gaming, Fuel and Tobacco Division of Service Nova Scotia . Interestingly , this body is also responsible for dealing with and investigating any and all complaints, which, we, at Best Betting Site Advisor, see as being incredibly progressive. For more information on the Act itself you can access the Gaming Control Act of 1994-1995 .
Nunavut
There is no one law that provides an overview of the Province’s regulations. Over the past few years, the country has relaxed its restrictions and streamlined the registration process which we saw evidence of well before the launch of online gambling & sports wagering. In November 2021, the Canadian government, revoked the law prohibiting the placing of bets on individual games.
Nunavut lacks any land-based casinos despite being the largest territory in Canada. But don’t worry, it is not prohibited to use foreign online gaming websites and certain online Casinos have been approved to operate.
Ontario
Ontario, is the first province to legalize gaming in a manner that will be reminiscent of their American cousins.
There is a wide variety of on-site casinos in the province, the province enjoys the fewest restrictions across Canada. The Gaming Control Act of 1992 and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation 1999 are the two key laws in the area. The province has now made it even easier to access gaming services thanks to the recent expansion of the online Gaming market.
The Prince Edward Island
Casino and online gaming service providers are governed by the Prince Edward Island Lotteries Commission. The Lotteries Commission Act is the primary piece of provincial legislation. The Commission may create, organize, undertake, conduct, and oversee lottery schemes on behalf of the provincial government only with the Lieutenant Governor in Council’s consent.
Quebec
There are 2 bodies that officially regulate gambling in Quebec, with different functions. The Regie des alcools, des courses et des jeux regulate all affairs related to Alcohol, horse racing, public lotteries, and gambling are the main topics of the first one. Whereas the Quebec Lottery Corporation covers casinos, lotteries, and bingo tournaments. The Act Respecting Lotteries, Publicity, Contests, and Amusement Machines is the primary regulatory body and thanks to this , Quebec is a province in which both physical and online casinos are available to play albeit, highly regulated.
Saskatchewan
The primary gambling regulatory authority in Saskatchewan is the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority. Updated in October 2022, you can find the most significant law on the Province’s regulations in The Alcohol and Gaming Regulation Act of 1997 which is just one Act of many to understand the province’s legal framework on Alcohol And Gaming.
Yukon
The region is sparsely habituated, with a little over 40’000 residents. Although the Yukon will never be a major gaming hub; it is the only “region” that boasts a land-based casino, which by the way, happens to be the oldest casino in Canada, and was inaugurated in 1971. Another interesting fact, I love to mention, is that the town of Faro, in the Yukon, was named after a card game that was popular at the turn of the 19th century.
Given their small population, and their inclination to gaming, the residents of Yukon have a wide variety of choice on their hands regarding the gaming industry, as it is legal to access online gaming platforms.