Gambling Laws In Canada
Real money gaming, both offline and online, are extremely popular activities throughout Canada. As with many other countries, the gambling laws in Canada can seem to be complicated and unclear. However, most forms of gambling are completely legal, as long as they are government approved. The first legislation dates back to 1892 when it was then deemed an illegal activity, but laws today are much more relaxed. By the early 1900’s, some gambling activities were allowed within charitable contexts, followed by the complete legalization of horse racing. During the 1970’s, the Canadian Criminal Code was reformed, and each province was then allowed to determine their own licensing and regulations for gambling. Several casinos, provincial lotteries and sports betting facilities then sprang up, and today, Canadian online gambling laws are also included under provincial control.
Is Online Gambling Legal In Canada?
The first legal online Canadian casinos were launched in 2010, and there are now over 300 to choose from. From a player’s perspective, it is completely legal to play at any fully licensed casino. It is only actually illegal to operate an online casino from Canada itself without seeking government approval. It is also completely legal for any Canadians to play at “offshore” online casinos. These are regulated and licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, which is based in the Mohawk territory, along with the majority of the online casino servers. This Gaming Commission regulates the legal status of casinos in Canada, issues licences and also covers live casinos, sportsbooks and online Poker rooms.
This has created a sort of undefined scenario when it comes to online gambling in Canada. On one hand, the only legal requirement for Canadian gamblers is to play at casino operators that are licensed, operated or even owned by a provincial government. If that requirement is met, then all forms of online gambling are considered legal by Canadian law. Even so, there has been a proliferation of offshore unlicensed casinos (over 1,000) that are currently offering unregulated gambling activities to Canadian citizens.
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Short Guide to Legal Gambling in Canada
Today, the gambling laws in Canada mean that online gambling has effectively been legalized throughout Canada. The Criminal Code states that each province can legalize gambling that is “operated on or through a computer” within their own borders. So as long as players check that they are playing in a reputable Canadian casino, there is no cause for concern. The Commission currently issues five different types of licenses under the Interactive Gaming Law of 2010, all of which demand that the casino meets certain criteria. They then continue to monitor the casino for fair and responsible gaming, quality and payouts.
Overview Of Canadian Online Gambling Laws
Canada is a large and diverse country, and a wide range of gambling is legally available under the control of the ten provinces. Canadian players are completely free by law to place bets on online casino games. These gaming activities include lotteries, horse racing, sports betting, and casino slots. They are regulated by the relevant provincial authority and the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, which also licences and regulates many online casinos. The Kahnawake Gaming Commission is completely independent and is a respected industry gambling regulator. They also work with other bodies like the Financial Services Regulatory Commission of Antigua and Barbuda to ensure that the Canadian online gambling laws are upheld.
Find gambling laws information for each province below
How These Laws Affect The Player
As a Canadian player, it is essential to research any online casino before committing to play. Be sure to find out about the casino’s license to ensure that it can operate legally in your home territory. This means that you will be fully protected and be covered legally if there are any fraudulent activities or issues arising. Always remember that any online casino that is operating from Canada and does not have a license is not following Canadian online gambling laws and is doing so illegally. Whatever your gaming preference, you are free to enjoy it with no interference from the government as long as you follow this one simple rule.
Illegal Gambling in Canada
Up until just a few decades ago (1970’s), most forms of gambling were illegal in Canada. Hence, the gambling market was dominated by organized crime. A big leap forward towards regulation of gambling activities in Canada came in 1985 when it became possible for provinces to oversee specific gambling products such as lotteries and slots. Since then the Federal Government has fought illegal gambling with an iron fist and the Criminal Code defines several crimes and offenses related with illegal gambling, in particular through Sections 201, 20, 206 and 209.
After the 2010 Criminal Code reform, several gambling-related crimes are now considered as ‘serious offenses; which are punishable with detention as well as pecuniary punishment. Even so, Canadian gambling laws can be considered as almost lax when compared to the much more stringent ones adopted by the US.
Problem Gambling & Responsible Gambling Council
Playing games and gambling should be pure fun, and the majority of players use it for recreation. If you spend only the money that you can afford it is fine, but some players may find this difficult. As a result, all online operators and the software suppliers themselves are required to comply with certain principles. Responsible gaming is a serious issue, and a good casino should educate and assist the small percentage who may experience any problems. The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) strives to reduce the risks for Canadian online players. It is an independent organisation that is dedicated to delivering safeguards and information and plays a huge role in the legal status of casinos in Canada.
Gambling Licenses
In order to stay on the safe track while gambling online in Canada, it is always a safe choice to play only at licensed and safe casinos. Granted, not every license bears the same levels of prestige and authority in the gambling industry. Hence, licensed casinos are not all the same. In order to ensure the maximum level of safety for yourself (and your personal/financial data), we recommend that you play at Canadian online casinos which possess a gambling license issued by either the UKGC (UK Gambling Commission) or the MGA (Malta Gaming Authority). Gambling licenses issued by the Government of Curacao are also highly sought after, even though they do not guarantee the same level of accountability as the UKGC and MGA licenses.
Gambling Laws In Canada: Summary
If you love online gaming or gambling in your local casino, then be assured that it is a completely legal pastime in Canada. However, always check the casino licenses and keep abreast of the Canadian online gambling laws for your province, as they are subject to constant review. Ultimately, Canada has found a great approach to legal gambling, with local laws and regulations to both protect players and control quality. In fact, Canadian gambling sites – casinos specifically – have steadily gained a reputation for reliability, safety and being player-friendly, attracting gamers worldwide, especially for Poker. As a bonus, Canada remains one of the very few countries that do not tax you on any winnings so that you can enjoy all of your hard-earned rewards. If you have further questions on the matter, we recommend that you read our guide to gambling tax on casino winnings in Canada.