Guide to Online Gambling in Canada: The Best Canadian Gambling Sites for 2024

Best Online Gambling Sites in Canada

There is a lot to love about Canada. But the real question is does the country allow any form of gambling? This is where we come in! We’ve conducted detailed research on online gambling in Canada, the existing land-based resorts, what is the legal gambling age, laws, and more. In a nutshell, Canada is known for a lot of fun activities, including gambling.

There is a variety of land-based casinos in all 10 provinces, which we’re going to talk more about below, but there are also a few online casinos you could enter, despite the restrictions. Here are the best online gambling sites in Canada for 2024:

Jessica Whitehouse, Editor at online-gambling.com

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Jessica Whitehouse is among the professional online-gambling.com editors in charge of ensuring that our readers get the best and most reliable news and details from the online gambling world. Her focus is on blackjack and roulette reviews, lottery, and more.

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Types of Gambling in Canada

As mentioned above, there are land-based casinos available in Canada, where you can get some extra cash while playing. There are also other types of legal gambling, which include racetracks, slot machines, and ticket lotteries.

Amongst the restricted gambling activities are betting houses and… online gambling! However, laws are changing, which may turn things around for online gambling – which is why we try to review the best venues available.

Online Casino Gaming in Canada

When it comes to online casinos, things are a little bit more complex. Online gambling is often called a ‘legal grey area’ and this phrase is also well known in Canada. This activity falls under provincial jurisdiction and is strictly controlled by Canadian law. This is probably why online gambling has gained popularity over time but hasn’t seen huge profits and growth over the last few years.

However, as the most popular form of entertainment in Canada, online gambling might get a little bit of a boost in 2021, mostly thanks to mobile platforms (phones and tablets). We review leading international online casino platforms, and can recommend one of the best operators that accept Canadian players:

Sports Betting

According to our research, Canada has a federal ban on single-game sports betting, but the provincial governments have some control over the laws within their jurisdiction. Most of the provinces provide their own ‘sports lotteries’ and bets must consist of at least two games (parlay). The sites are regulated and licensed by the respective authorities and we guarantee they are legit. Some of the best sports betting sites, available for Canadians, include William Hill and 888sport. But which betting site is the best? Have a look at the table below:

Daily Fantasy

Don’t be fooled by the name – it’s not a game for kids! Daily Fantasy is the well-known fantasy sports game that is also pretty popular in Canada. It is generally accepted a game of skill rather than luck. One specific fantasy sport stands out and that is Daily Fantasy Hockey. Well, it’s not that much of a surprise – it’s Canada! Daily Fantasy sites offer different types of contests you can participate in: Head-to-Head; Double up Games; Guaranteed Prize Tools; Beginner Games. The top Daily Fantasy offer comes from:

Online Poker

We’ve mentioned that there are a lot of gambling-related activities you could take part in when in Canada, one of which is online poker. According to our resources, Canada is one of the best places to play online poker for real money. There are a lot of Canadian players that have access to some of the most famous poker sites in the world.

Since there’s limited regulation in Canada regarding online poker, you should be aware that there might be some scammer sites – do your research and choose wisely the site you would like to play at! Keep in mind that most of the best Canadian gambling sites have dedicated poker sections on their platforms. This is the site that we highly recommend:

Lottery

We will probably mention this a little bit later, but it’s good to say a few words about lottery here as well. In Canada, there are lottery retailers and online lottery as well. You can buy tickets from either of the two and play for the big jackpot. The prizes range from $10 million to $50 million (Canadian Dollars), which is very tempting. You could try your luck at the lottery in any of the provinces of Canada. The top lottery offer we guarantee you’ll find interesting is:

Online Gambling Guide for Canadian Players

We live in a wonderful time, where technology is constantly developing and providing us with entertainment. There are a lot of new online casino sites that have taken over the gambling community around the world, including Canada. However, not all of them are available for Canadians or provide the best service, so you will have to choose wisely where you want to play. Need some help? We’ve prepared some advice and useful information in the following paragraphs to help you choose the best site for you. Keep on reading!

Gambling License & Safety in Canada

Safety is and always should be a number one priority when entering an online casino site. You should look out for specific symbols and certificates that are usually listed at the bottom of the website’s home page like the UKGC (United Kingdom Gambling Commission) or the Malta Gambling Authority. You should also check whether the casino is licensed by eCogra or similar independent organizations, depending on the country. For your convenience, we’ve listed the symbols you would usually see in Canadian online gambling sites:

How to Spot a Great Product: Games and Bets

It’s not all about the safety and the money (we’ll get to that later) when it comes to choosing the best betting site for Canada. It’s also all about the product – what the site offers as game variety, bonuses and more. Of course, you should still stick to a legit online casino with all the regulations and licenses, but you should also have fun.

It is widely known that online slots, like Mega Moolah, are the favorite casino game of Canadian players, but they don’t always offer the best payouts. Whether you’re into sports betting or online lotto, there are a lot of Canadian gambling sites that should spark your interest. We’ve made a list of the best operators for your convenience, based on their main characteristics and type.

Best Gambling Bonuses in Canada

It’s always better to play for fun and enjoy your time at an online casino. But this doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from bonuses while playing. If there’s some extra cash involved, so much the better! So, let’s talk about bonuses. As there are a lot of casinos a player could choose from, that have superb bonuses to offer, players often get fooled exactly by that.

Don’t get us wrong, we love when the bonus is generous, but it’s not always ‘the bigger, the better’. Opt for a casino with a reasonable offer and good terms and conditions. We’ve listed the best online gambling sites in Canada when it comes to the bonus in the table below:

Gambling Sites with the Best Payouts

We cannot miss mentioning some of the best gambling sites that offer superb payouts. For those of you who are new to the gambling community and are not quite sure what that means, a payout is the amount of money the online casino pays back to its players. After some research, we’ve managed to provide you with a table, where you could find the best Canadian gambling sites in terms of payouts.

Accepted Payment Methods

When you’re browsing through Canadian gambling sites in search of that perfect fit, you should check which are the available payment methods. For your convenience, a lot of the operators offer a variety of payment methods you could use to deposit, withdraw and just keep an eye on your money while you’re playing. A lot of the most used payment methods are available for players in Canada and are very convenient. Here are the best payment methods available in Canada:

1. e-Wallets:
   1. Citadel Commerce
   2. ClickAndBuy
   3. Ukash
   4. UPayCard
   5. EcoPayz
2. Credit/Debit Cards:
   1. Visa
   2. MasterCard
   3. Paysafecard
3. Bank Transfers:
   1. Interac
   2. Instadebit
   3. iDebit
   4. UseMyBank
   5. Bank Wires
4. Other:
   1. Coinbase

Mobile Gambling Apps

It’s awesome to play at the casino without leaving the house – you get comfy on the couch, grab a beer or something a little bit fancier, and you just play. But sometimes you have to go to the outdoors and do normal people stuff, which can get boring at some point.

Lucky for you, a lot of the online casino sites, open to Canadian players, also provide available mobile versions and you can take the fun on the go! Most of the operators have native apps, others you can simply enter via browser and play wherever you are in Canada. Let’s have a look at which are the best mobile casino apps, based on different types of gambling:

Safe & Fair Gambling Software

We’ve talked earlier about how you should look for a casino site that offers a wide range of games. Safety is the number one criteria in the reviews of the best online gambling sites worldwide. However, while quantity is good, you should also keep in mind the quality of the offered entertainment.

The online operators, that are available in Canada, have a great selection of games, brought to you by some of the best developers in the iGaming industry. When you enter a casino, you will see which the developer/s at the bottom of the home page is/are and sometimes the Terms and Conditions could also give you some extra information. We’ve made some research and prepared a list of the software available at the best online gambling sites in Canada:

Canada Gambling Laws & Regulations

As written above, gambling is overall allowed in Canada, but when it comes to online gambling the laws and the restrictions vary based on the province, you’re from. There is a total of 10 provinces: Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, British Colombia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. All provinces are self-governing entities and gambling laws apply differently in each one.

This makes online gambling in Canada a bit of a complicated matter. In the following paragraphs, we’ll give you a close-up of the overall situation in the country and we’ll give some examples of the regulations that the provinces have. Most importantly, we will look for an answer to the burning question we all share – is online gambling legal in Canada?

Is Online Gambling Legal in Canada?

There are a lot of land-based casinos in Canada, which we’ll mention a little bit later, and there are also many offshore online casinos, open to Canadian players. However, an interesting fact is that there are some operators that restrict Canadian gamblers, whether it comes to registration or for placing bets once you’ve entered. There are also some provincial sites that restrict outside bettors. Do your research beforehand!

Land-Based Gambling in Canada

Canada is definitely the place for you if you’re looking for a gambling adventure. There are around 100 land-based casinos in the country, most of which are in Ontario. The casinos offer a vast variety of slot machines, table games, and other types of entertainment. As mentioned before, sports betting is also popular amongst Canadian gamblers and you have the opportunity to place bets at the local parlor or go at the horseracing tracks and try your luck.

Regional Gambling Laws & Differences Between States/Regions

There are some differences in the provinces in terms of gambling law. For example, Ontario as the province with over 25 land-based casinos, allows charitable gambling as a form of entertainment for Canadian players. This includes raffles and bingo and you can play at numerous eBingo websites. In Yukon, on the other hand, only non-profit groups have the opportunity to host charitable gambling events. To make it easier for you and to avoid the long article, we’ve created a table, where we’ve listed all the provinces of Canada and the types of gambling that are allowed in each:

Official Regulatory Body

Who is regulating the operators? Here’s what we’ve found: The Kahnawake Gaming Commission is a special gaming regulatory body that is entitled to tackle licenses and regulate some of the web-based casinos in Canada. There are certain criteria that the online operators must meet in order to receive a license, which includes fair gaming and payouts guarantee. However, some offshore gambling sites still are in the ‘grey area’ we’ve mentioned before, so keep that in mind when you’re on the hunt.

Gambling Taxation: Do I Have to Declare My Winnings & Pay Taxes?

In a nutshell, Canada does not recognize any industry-specific taxes and there is no need for you to pay when declaring winnings. Gambling companies and land-based facilities just have to follow the federal and local income tax laws and keep everything under control. If you have any winnings at, let’s say poker, and you’re a professional player, your winnings will be a subject to tax, since they’re viewed as an ‘income from a business’. With this exception, online gambling in Canada is generally government-run and tax-free.

Legal Gambling Age

Not everyone can enter a casino in Canada just like that – there are age restrictions! The legal age for entering a casino corresponds to the drinking age and it varies, depending on the province. The average gambling age in Canada is 19, with the exception of Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec where it’s 18.

In Prince Edward Island it’s a little bit different – the only legal casino there is actually a ‘racino’. This facility combines harness racing and casino-style gambling and players 19 and older are allowed to join. We’d also like to note the fact that lotto players must be at least 19 years old to participate in a draw. The age limit is slightly higher than in the UK, for example. And last but not least, the law stipulates potential charges for underage gambling.

Advertising Laws

Advertising in Canada is regulated in each province and this also includes the ‘general application’ laws. The Criminal Code of Canada defines what type of gaming activities are illegal in the country and regulates what can and cannot be advertised in one way or another. Each province can advertise local lotteries and games of chance that are operated via online casinos, however, this again depends on which online operators are open to Canadian players.

The Canadian province Manitoba, for example, merged alcohol and gambling advertisements under one operator and there is a set of evidence-based advertising standards both products could apply to. Except for that, whatever the gambling advertisement is, it must include responsible gambling messaging and information to ensure informed consent. Yet again – don’t fall for advertisements as much and do your homework by reading a review or two before diving in!

Penalties for Illegal Gambling

As a Canadian player, you must be careful when choosing an online casino to play at. There is one general rule that all must follow and that is the following: a form of gambling is illegal in Canada if it’s not licensed or managed by the government, which 100% applies for land-based casinos and some charitable options. While online gambling is still considered somewhat a ‘grey area’, there are plenty of offshore and native casino sites you could enter and play at, as long as you follow the given terms and conditions.

Upcoming Regulation Changes

With every new law and regulation, there are usually changes applied with time. In this case, Canada has already made some changes with regard to the gambling law in 2018. All non-licensed online casinos are restricted, there are useful websites to ensure your security at home and more. Other than that, here are some interesting updates: online casinos are getting more popular and available for Canadian players,

Responsible Gambling & Addiction Prevention

Responsible gambling is highly supported by the top Canadian casinos, both online and land-based. Online operators are complying with industry standards, set by eCogra and similar regulatory bodies, maintaining a safe environment for the players and prevention of gambling abuse.

It’s difficult to find your limit while playing, which is why most online operators thoughtfully apply certain restrictions to avoid such situations. It’s especially important to protect children under 18 from bad influence on the internet. There are multiple ways to filter and block gambling websites from underaged Canadians. We recommend you have a look at the sites below. Play responsibly!

Online Gambling in Canada Trivia – Curious Facts

We shared a lot about this wonderful country, home of the most delicious maple syrup and the friendliest people. Here are some more interesting facts about the country and gambling:

History of Gambling in Canada

Gambling in Canada is now one of the main forms of entertainment in the country, but, of course, it had to start at some point. Let’s get a little bit back in time. In the past, Canadians were not allowed to gamble and there was overall no opportunity to place bets or play cards legally at the time.

According to our research, gambling was first accepted in 1969 when the Criminal Code was changed. It allowed the provinces and territories to raise funds for worthwhile causes like the Montreal Olympics through regulated lotteries. Check out the table below for more Canadian gambling history facts:

Famous Land-Based Casino and Gambling Resorts

Canadians, as you’ve probably already read, have a thing for casino gambling and there are a lot of great gambling facilities you could visit. The land-based casinos in Canada offer a vast variety of slot machines and table games. Plus, if you’re a tourist, there are the so-called Pari-Mutuel facilities, where you could roll the dice and put on a bet or two. The largest gambling city is Edmonton, Alberta, where you can choose from 15 gambling resorts that offer over 100 table games and more than 4,000 slot and video poker machines.

Famous Gamblers and Poker Players from Canada

Since Canada has a lot to offer to its gambling community, it’s no surprise that some of the best players in the industry are proud Canadians! There are a lot of tournaments organized in the country as well, most of them are poker tournaments. Some of the most famous ones include the WPT Montreal, WSOP Circuit (Montreal and Vancouver) and more, where you compete with some of the best players for the big prize. And since we’ve started, let’s mention who are the best Canadian gamblers!

Canadian Gambling Books and Movies

Canadians like to gamble, but they are also really good at making movies and writing books about it. We’ve made lists with some of the most famous gambling-related movies and books in Canada that we highly recommend you check out in your free time. Enjoy!

Are any of these movies familiar or sparked your interest? Let’s move on to the books:

Online Gambling vs Land-Based Gambling in Canada

As mentioned earlier, Canada knows what to offer and has some of the best land-based casinos in the world. It’s really cool to glam up and go roll the dice, but, as the Internet gives us basically everything, a lot of players prefer to play on their computers or mobile devices. There are a lot of perks that come with online casinos, one of which is the wider game selection. Something else that is more suitable for most players is that an online casino has better bonuses and other promotions to offer than a land-based one. And, talking about bonuses, here’s the best online casino in Canada that you should have a look at:

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Hey, we’re all done here! Hope our article was interesting and helpful. Now you can proudly say you’re fully prepared for a casino adventure in Canada! If you want to learn more about the laws and legal gambling activities in other English-speaking countries, make sure you have a look at our most popular guides in the section below. We have articles about the most exotic destinations, plus all the US states.

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