Who regulates the market (Kahnawà: ke Gaming Commission, provincial bodies)

The Canadian model of gambling regulation is built on the principle of "federal framework - provincial government." The Criminal Code of Canada in Part VII contains a general prohibition on the game, but Article 207 makes an important exception: provincial governments are allowed to "conduct and manage" lottery schemes in accordance with provincial laws. In other words, Ottawa sets criminal legal restrictions, and regulation and economic management of markets takes place at the provincial level.

Who exactly regulates on the ground

Below are the key provincial regulators (and associated crown operators) that provide licensing, oversight, fair play standards, and responsible play programs.

Ontario - Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO): registers and regulates ground and online segments; for the online market, a separate structure iGaming Ontario (iGO) has been created, which "conduct and manage" commercial relations with private operators (operators are required to register with AGCO and conclude an agreement with iGO). The government-owned operator OLG operates lotteries/casinos in the Crown model.

British Columbia - Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB) of the Department of Finance: regulates the entire sector in the province, monitors the integrity of companies/personnel/equipment and investigates violations. Crown operator BCLC runs lotteries/casinos and online platform PlayNow.

Quebec - Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ): a regulator authorized by provincial law to oversee lotteries and gaming activities; commercial crown operator - Loto-Québec.

Alberta - Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC): the provincial agency administering the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act and maintaining the integrity of the gaming sector; publishes terms/policies for licensees and maintains responsible play programs. PlayAlberta online platform - under the auspices of AGLC.

Manitoba - Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba (LGCA): an independent regulator that controls licensing and compliance throughout the gaming sector; legal basis - The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act. The commercial crown operator is Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries (MBLL).

Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA): A government corporation responsible for controlling and regulating a significant portion of the province's gaming sector (including licensing charity games).

💡 Similar bodies operate in other Canadian provinces/territories; in Atlantic Canada, for example, operational functions are often consolidated through Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) with oversight by local regulators. (See relevant provincial websites.)

Online Marketplace: A Feature of Ontario

Since 2022, Ontario has implemented the country's first model with private online operators: AGCO serves as a regulator (registration, standards, control), and iGaming Ontario enters into commercial agreements and a "conduct and manage" market, providing legal access for operators to players in the province. This clearly divides supervisory and commercial roles within the public sector.

Kahnawà: ke Gaming Commission: separate jurisdiction

In addition to the provincial system, the jurisdiction of the indigenous peoples of Kahnawà: ke (Mojoki) operates. Kahnawà: ke Gaming Commission (KGC) was created by Kahnawà: ke Gaming Law on June 10, 1996 and since July 8, 1999 has been using Regulations concerning Interactive Gaming - one of the earliest and most famous licensing modes for interactive gambling. The Commission issues several types of permits and appoints authorized agents for technical/audit functions.

Kahnawà's legal position: ke draws on recognized indigenous rights; during its existence, the regulatory framework and decisions of the Commission have been repeatedly confirmed in the courts of the province of Quebec. It is important that KGC acts as an independent regulator in its jurisdiction, especially in the online gaming segment.

How it all fits together: "frame" and practical management

The federal level defines prohibition and exceptions (s. 207 CC): only provinces (singly or jointly) have the right to conduct and manage lottery schemes within their borders; along with this, the provinces create regulators and crown operators.

The provincial level implements supervision (registration, suitability, technical standards, RG/AML, advertising) and commercial management (through Crown operators or - as in Ontario - involving private operators managed by iGO).

Indigenous jurisdictions (example Kahnawà: ke) develop their own norms and licensing, historically - especially in the online segment.

Examples of regulator functions

Registration/licensing of operators, suppliers, key persons, equipment (AGCO, GPEB, RACJ, AGLC, LGCA, SLGA).

RNG/Games Integrity Standards and Technical Suitability, Compliance Review, Infringement Investigations (GPEB, LGCA, AGLC).

Responsible play: advertising rules, self-restraint tools, education programs (AGCO/Ontario; AGLC — GameSense; provincial programs).

Gambling regulation in Canada is a mosaic of provincial regulators under a federal criminal legal framework, with a pronounced role for crown operators and special Kahnawà: ke jurisdiction in the online sector. Ontario has pioneered an open iGaming market with a clear separation of "regulator (AGCO) - commercial conduct & manage (iGO)," while other provinces continue to rely on their models and priorities of responsibility, integrity and public interest.

💡 Editor's tip: when preparing local guides, add links to a specific provincial regulator (AGCO, GPEB, RACJ, AGLC, LGCA, SLGA, etc.) and crown operator (OLG, BCLC, Loto-Québec, MBLL, etc.) - requirements and procedures differ between provinces.