Online gambling in Canada: legal or not?

Short answer

Online gambling in Canada is legal if and only if it is carried out within the framework of exceptions to the Criminal Code: i.e. the province "conducts & manages" (conducts and manages) the game itself or through an authorized public authority. In practice, this means:

Ontario is an open market: private operators only operate if they are registered with AGCO and have entered into an agreement with iGaming Ontario (iGO).
The rest of the provinces/territories are usually one official site under the auspices of the crown corporation (PlayNow, Espacejeux, ALC, PlayAlberta, etc.). Private "offshore" sites are not provincially permitted there, even if accessible from Canada.

Legal basis: what the Criminal Code says

Part VII of the Penal Code prohibits gambling, but section 207 (1) (a) makes a key exception: the provincial government (either by itself or jointly with another province) may operate and administer a "lottery scheme" under provincial law. That is, the "legality" of online casinos/bets occurs when the game is played in a form conducted/managed by the province.

What's special about Ontario

On April 4, 2022, Ontario launched Canada's first competitive online marketplace: regulator AGCO is responsible for registration and standards, and subsidiary iGaming Ontario (iGO) enters into commercial agreements with private operators and legally "conducts & manages" internet games on behalf of the province. Prior to launch, the only site was OLG. ca.

What it looks like in other provinces (examples of "official" sites)

British Columbia/Manitoba/Saskatchewan - PlayNow. com (BCLC; in SK - in partnership with SIGA/SaskGaming).

Quebec - Espacejeux/lotoquebec. com (Loto-Québec).

Atlantic Provinces (NB/NS/PE/NL) - ALC. ca (Atlantic Lottery Corporation) as the region's only regulated online provider.

Alberta - PlayAlberta. ca (AGLC).

💡 In Ontario, in addition to OLG, dozens of private brands operate legally - but only after registering with AGCO and concluding an agreement with iGO. In other provinces, private sites are not considered provincially permitted.

Bets on single events: what has changed in 2021

Bill C-218 ("Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act") lifted the federal ban on betting on one sporting event; the norm entered into force on August 27, 2021. This gave provinces the right to include single-event betting in their products (PRO-LINE/Mise-o-jeu/PlayNow, etc.) and/or markets.

Attempts to block and why they did not take root

Quebec tried to oblige Internet providers to block "unlicensed" iGaming sites (Bill 74), but the Quebec Supreme Court declared these provisions unconstitutional (2018), pointing to an invasion of federal areas (telecom and criminal law).

A practical test of legality for the player

1. Where you are. Geolocation is important: provincial sites only serve residents/users physically located in the respective province/region.

2. Who "conducts & manages." Play on a site run by the province:

Ontario - operators with registration AGCO + contract with iGO;
Other provinces are the official portal of the crown corporation (PlayNow, Espacejeux, ALC, PlayAlberta, etc.).
3. Age. The minimum age is 18 or 19 years depending on the province (e.g. 18 in Alberta/Manitoba/Quebec; 19 in BC/Saskatchewan/Atlantic). Check site-specific requirements.
4. Advertising and liability. Ontario has strict standards for advertising and responsible play; public advertising of bonuses/" inductions "is limited, and the use of athletes in advertising is prohibited. All "official" sites have RG tools (limits, self-exclusion, tips).

Frequent questions

Can I play on "international" sites outside Ontario?

Such sites are not provincially permitted. Provinces promote the game through their own "official" portals (see above). Ontario is an exception thanks to the iGO model for private operators.

Are betting on single events legal?

Yes - from 27. 08. 2021 provinces have the right to offer single-event betting; implementation varies by province/site (PRO-LINE/Mise-o-jeu/PlayNow, etc.).

Is there a blocking of "other people's" sites in Canada?

Quebec's attempt (Bill 74) was overturned by the court as unconstitutional.

In Canada, online gambling is not a "wild west," but a system from a federal framework and provincial governance. The legal criterion is simple: the game is legal when it is run and managed by your province (or iGO in Ontario). Play on "official" sites - PlayNow/Espacejeux/ALC/PlayAlberta/OLG and Ontario's registered operators - and check local rules for age, geolocation and responsible play. So you remain in the legal field and take advantage of the consumer protections that the provinces put in their regimes.