Canada differs from most other countries as gambling operates exclusively under the control of the provincial and territorial governments stemming from a change to federal law in 1985. Slot machine gambling is now legal in all 10 provinces and all three territories. As a general rule, a form of gambling is illegal within Canada's borders if it's not licensed or managed by the government (either on a federal or provincial level).
Relative to the United States of America, Canada has relatively lenient gamblings laws. Most penalties for gambling-related offences are limited to two years imprisonment. In contrast, a crime such as knowingly keeping a common betting house is limited to no more than six months in jail and a $5,000 fine.
Online Gambling
Whether online gambling in Canada is legal or not is a question that often pops us. The Canadian laws that govern online casinos are cloudy, and lawyers and lawmakers consider the matter a grey area. Internet gambling companies are not allowed to operate any online casinos or poker rooms in Canada. So they locate most of their offshore gaming servers in the Kahnawake native reserve.
The Kahnawake Gaming Commission
The Kahnawake Gaming Commission is a gaming regulatory body entitled to issue licences and regulate several web-based casinos, online poker rooms, and sportsbook websites. A total of three land-based poker rooms situated within the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake in Quebec are also under the Gaming Commission's control.
Canadian Gambling Regulations by Province
According to Canada's Criminal Code, hosting a gambling website on Canada's territory is defined as illegal. However, each province has permission to legalize specific types of gambling within its borders. This regulation stipulates gambling that may be "operated on or through a computer". This regulation opens the door for each Canadian province to decide on legalizing online gambling operations within its borders.
Let's look at each province:
Alberta
All forms of gambling is available to residents of the province and there is also support for First Nations Indian based gambling in the province, also known as aboriginal casino gambling. Alberta province also operates a Gambling Research Institute which is a consortium of the Universities of Alberta, Calgary and Lethbridge.
Need help? Problem Gambling Resources Network
British Columbia
British Columbians may choose to participate in a broad range of gaming activities, such as major lotteries, horse racing, slot machines and table games in casinos. There are currently about 200 different allowed game themes for slot machines in the province.
Need help? Problem Gambling Resources Network
Manitoba
All forms of gambling is available to residents of the province and there is also support for First Nations Indian based gambling in the province, also known as aboriginal casino gambling. A 2013 government survey of 1200 people polled via telephone showed 77.3% of Manitobans gambled in the previous 12 months and playing slots was the second most popular gambling activity behind lottery and raffle tickets.
Need help? Manitoba Problem Gambling Helpline
New Brunswick
Under the Gaming Control Act, the New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation (NBLGC) is responsible for the conduct and management of all provincial gaming. The Gaming Control Branch, created under the Act as a branch of the Department of Public Safety, is responsible for the regulation and control of provincial gaming.
Need help? New Brunswick Problem Gambling Helpline
Newfoundland and Labrador
There are currently no land-based casinos in this province. Fortunately, online casinos allow you to enjoy gaming from the comfort of your own home, no matter your location. Just log in and visit an online casino to play your favorite casino game, whether slot games, roulette, poker or blackjack.
Gambling Help Line (Toll Free) 1-800-363-5864 or Newfoundland Problem Gambling Helpline
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia has a well-established gambling community covering all forms, including aboriginal gaming backed by First Nation's economic development. Based on a 2007 survey that polled 2500 people, Nova Scotia has the highest level of participation in gambling for Canada with 87% declaring some gambling activity in the past year. Despite it being one of the few provinces where you have to be over 19 years of age to participate, has the highest level of participation in gambling for Canada.
Gambling Help Line (Toll Free) 1-888-347-8888 or Nova Scotia Problem Gambling Helpline
Ontario
Ontario has experienced an unprecedented expansion of gambling opportunities where public access to gambling and gambling involvement have increased enormously. Before 1994, the only types of visible gambling sites were racetracks, lottery booths and county fairs. There were no casinos or slot machines in Ontario. The most recent survey said that 82.9% of Ontario adults said they gambled at least once in 2011. Playing slots was the second most popular gambling activity behind lottery and raffle tickets. Single event betting is back on the agenda, and momentum is building towards its regulation in this province.
Needs help? Problem Gambling Institute of Ontario
Prince Edward Island
The province has been slow to take up slot participation as with other forms of gambling but as by far the smallest it is not surprising. From the 2005 government study, 82% of residents stated they had dabbled with gambling in some form in the past year. Currently, with only two small land-based combined racetrack and casinos, players looking for value are still best placed when looking for slots and other casino variants to select an online choice.
Need help? PEI Problem Gambling Helpline
Quebec
Canada's second-largest province by population has a well-developed gambling tradition including all forms as well as slots. Having said that and not-with-standing the legal age for participation being 18, a massive 2009 survey polling 12,000 people showed only 70% of residents taking part in gambling activities that year, only Ontario reporting lower participation.
Need help? Gambling: Help and Referral
Saskatchewan
All forms of gambling are available to residents of the province. There is also support for First Nations Indian based gambling in the region, also known as aboriginal casino gambling. There are land-based casinos in this province with well-established gambling traditions. With the minimum gambling age of 19, it still manages a participation rate of 86.% of the population in any one year from the latest poll survey.
Need help? Saskatchewan Problem Gambling Helpline
