Online gambling in Canada
This page will go through all of the options from coast to coast for gambling on online casino sites, sports betting, playing poker and more. We are a central hub for everything you need to know about Canadian gambling.
The Canadian online casino and sports betting scene is ramping up. Ontario became the first province to regulate privately run online casinos and sportsbooks. Online casinos in Canada launched on April 4 and is still picking up momentum. It looks as though the next location to be offering online casino games is Alberta. Last December, the province announced plans to modernize and welcome some private operators to the sports wagering market. However, the latest news coming from the industry suggests how and when this will happen is still up in the air. With the market still in its infancy there are constant changes occurring, so be sure to check back with us for the latest updates.
With many gambling sites now available in Ontario, lots of online casinos and sportsbooks have a healthy mix of promos and welcome offers. If you are looking to give your bankroll a boost at your chosen online casino site, Online Casino City is the ideal place to find the best bonuses. You will also get to read through and unbiased reviews of online casinos, sportsbooks, poker sites and live casinos.
Our mission with this feature is simple. We want to provide you with all of the key information on the best online casinos and sportsbooks in Canada. You can find both Ontario-licensed and offshore gambling sites that you can access from anywhere in North America.
Read on for the latest information regarding online gambling in Canada.
- US Players Accepted
- Instant Payments
- Payout Speed: 0-5 days
Deposit / Withdraw:
+1
Promo code: OCC
$2000
Welcome bonus
Min Deposit: $25
- 300% Welcome bonus
- Up to $2000
- Deposit $25 - play with $100
★★★★★ 5/5
- US Players Accepted
- Instant Payments
- Payout Speed: 0-15 days
Deposit / Withdraw:
+8
Promo code: CAWELCOME100
$6000
+100 Free Spins
Min Deposit: $20
- 1st Deposit code: SS250
- 2nd Deposit code: SS100
- Same day payouts
★★★★★ 5/5
- US Players Accepted
- Instant Payments
- Payout Speed: Instant to 15 days
Deposit / Withdraw:
+10
Promo code: WILD250
$5000
Welcome bonus
Min Deposit: $20
- Promo code: WILD250
- Huge range of banking methods
- Multiple bet types
★★★★★ 5/5
- US Players Accepted
- Instant Payments
- Payout Speed: 0-15 days
Deposit / Withdraw:
+20
Code: BETCASINO
$3000
100% Bonus
Min Deposit: $25
- 500 online games
- Huge range of banking methods
- Fastest payouts
★★★★★ 5/5
- US Players Accepted
- Instant Payments
- Payout Speed: 0-10 days
Deposit / Withdraw:
+8
Code: CAS150
Promo code: CAWELCOME100
Promo code: WILD250
Promo code: WILD250
Promo code: WILD250
Legal Online Casino & Sports Betting Apps in Canada
Mobile gaming, especially in the online casino and sports betting world, is huge. Thanks to advances in technology, there are some excellent sports betting apps, casino apps and poker apps. These are real money betting apps meaning you can wager, play, and win real money on the go.
These days, all of the major gambling operators design their platforms with mobile users in mind. Online Canadian casinos and sportsbooks give you the option of betting on your desktop or using your smartphone instead. The benefits to betting on your mobile are clear. Whether you are an iOS or Android user, you have access to numerous sports markets or casino games anytime, anywhere. This added flexibility is of huge benefit to those who lead a busy life.
Whether you want to play slot games or bet on your favorite sports team, all you need to do is visit your preferred site and download the app. The download process is fast and efficient, and within minutes the app will appear on your phone.
Mobile betting has proven to be a huge success in the United States, and players in Canada now have that freedom to gamble remotely.
Is Online Gambling Legal in Canada?
Online gambling is now legal and available in Canada. Initially, Canada legalized online betting at a federal level in the 1990s. However, until June 2021, only parlay bets were permitted. That has now changed, with sports betting and online casinos now legal in Canada. It is down to each province to regulate sports betting, so what you can or can’t bet on depends on your location. We recommend you check the rules of your province before you start looking for Canada online casinos. There are still some offshore casino and betting sites that work around these.
Online wagering is legal throughout Canada, but as mentioned above, the options vary from one province to the next. It is up to each province to decide on sports betting and online casino regulation. They can allow private bookmakers and iGaming companies to operate in the regulated market, or leave it restricted to provincial monopolies.
Most provinces will expand their selection on the provincial wagering sites for the time being. The exception to this is Ontario, which launched a market for regulated operators on April 4, 2022. Alberta has also signaled its intention to welcome private operators, however the province will be limiting the market to two operators.
Sports Gambling Laws in Canada
The Canadian Criminal Code is the most notable piece of legislation currently regulating online betting in Canada. Commonly referred to as the code, disallowed a range of gambling activities from being run as a business, with one big exception: pari-mutuel betting for horse racing events.
However, following the approval of Bill C-218 in June 2021, the Code was amended to allow a provincial government, person or entity, licensed by the Lieutenant Governor of that province to manage a lottery scheme. The lottery scheme can include betting on an athletic event, fight, race or a single sports event in that province.
Single-events sports betting became legal in August 2021. After several years of unsuccessful bill attempts, Bill C-218 finally received approval by the Senate and receive Royal Assent to pass into law. This shift in the law comes after decades of only allowing parlay wagers at provincial betting monopolies. Moving to legalize single-event sports wagering will greatly enhance the legal betting options for Canadian players.
Laws for Online Casinos Canada
Provincial lotteries from coast-to-coast are responsible for overseeing legal, regulated online casino sites in Canada. Ontario is the first province, which since April 4 allows privately owned online casino operators to operate provincially. This change means Ontario bettors have access to some of the best Canadian Online casino sites available. Currently, lotteries in other regions continue as monopolies.
Online Gambling Options for Canadian Players
Now that online gambling sites are becoming available in Canada, bettors in the country will have more choice than ever before when deciding where to place their bets. From playing online slots to betting on your favorite sports teams, the best online gambling sites will provide you with multiple markets and bet types.
Let’s take a look at what you can legally bet on in Canada.
Online Casinos
Thanks to some relaxed licensing laws, Canada is home to some of the best online casinos globally. These platforms have fantastic games, generous bonuses – and they’re 100% legal to play in Canada. The best online casino sites will have a wide range of games, from fun and fast slots to table games like blackjack and roulette.
The good news is, OLG.ca is no longer Ontario’s only legal online gambling site. You can now play progressive jackpot slots, live dealer games and more. Canadian gamblers also have access to online casino apps, so you can be playing blackjack on your commute to work!
Online Sports Betting
Lots of the same provincial lottery corporations that operate online casinos also operate online sportsbooks. However, Ontario permitted online sportsbooks to start accepting bets in a new and regulated market on April 4. Now the most prominent site, the OLG Proline Plus lottery sportsbook has competition for the first time. Well-known brands such as BetMGM, BetRivers, Bet365, Caesars, PointsBet and Unibet are all legally operating in Canada.
Sports you can bet on
With popular sportsbooks now available in Canada, there are many sports you can bet on. These include:
- Ice Hockey
- Basketball
- Football
- Soccer
- Tennis
- eSports
- Cricket
- Golf
- Curling
Of course, some sports are more popular than others in Canada so there may be more options for those sports. For example, there will be plenty of NHL bets and other leagues at Canadian sportsbooks. For football, Canadian bettors will be able to wager on the NFL playoffs and the Super Bowl.
Online Poker
There is no specific language in the provincial law or Canada’s criminal code that states poker is illegal. Consequently, significant international online poker sites accept Canadian players. The online poker client that is run by PlayNow.com BC and Manitoba and Espace Jeux’s OK Poker in Quebec are the only provincial lottery-run online poker sites. Bettors in Ontario can wager on regulated poker sites (like BetMGM). Each platform offers tournaments and cash games.
Horse Racing
There are horse racing facilities in every province. The racetracks host a mix of standardbred, thoroughbred and harness racing throughout the summer. Racetracks utilize a pari-mutuel betting format where winners split the total handle (in proportion to their bets) after the gambling operator takes its cut. You can also wager on races simulcast across Canada and the United States and choose international locations at Canadian off-track betting parlours and racetracks.
Online Lottery
The lottery has been legal and active in Canada since the 1970s. The lottery is available in every province and territory. In locations with smaller populations, provinces have joined to operate regionally. Some of these groups include the Western Canada Lottery and the Atlantic Lottery. The largest national lottery draw games are Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max. Provincial lotteries also run sports betting and online iGaming. You can also buy lottery tickets online.
Charitable Gaming
Provincial governments may allow religious groups or nonprofit charities to run various charity gambling events. Some of these events could include raffles, lotteries, bingo, pull-tab games or poker tournaments. The money raised must go to a good cause, such as help for health services or education. Numerous Canadian bingo halls partner with religious groups and nonprofit charities to obtain charitable gambling approval and provide bingo games up to seven days a week.
How to Gamble Online in Canada
Legal and licensed iGaming is live in Canada. Currently, most of the action is happening in Ontario, with several market-leading brands launching their gambling sites in the province. Residents in Ontario can choose from numerous legal and regulated sports betting platforms and legit online casinos, while the gambling sites for other provinces are mostly sweepstakes sites and offshore online casinos.
Online Casino City is the best place to find the best bonuses, promos, betting options and welcome offers in Canada. We help you find sites by reviewing each online gambling app that launches in Canada, providing you with all of the key information you need to know before you start playing. Let’s take a look at some helpful online gambling resources that you should be aware of before you choose your preferred gambling site.
Sign up process
Registering for a new gaming account at an online sportsbook or casino is straightforward. The whole process should take minutes. First, you will need to provide some standard pieces of personal information:
- Full name
- Current address
- Date of birth
- Current email address
- Telephone number
Once you have done that, you will be asked to create a username and a password. All of this is done for security purposes. Think of your online betting account like an online bank account. The operator will send you an email to verify your identity, once you confirm this your account will be up and running.
Banking
Funding your account and cashing out are also crucial aspects of online gambling. There are several payment methods available on Canadian gambling sites that will ensure every payment you make is a smooth transaction. These include:
- Interac
- Paysafe Card
- Credit Cards
- InstaDebit
- ecoPayz
- Cryptocurrencies
ecoPayz is a prepaid option that allows you add funds quickly. Interac is Canada’s most popular payment option for online betting sites.
Our Rating Process
There are things we consider before we rate any online gambling sites. These factors range from the quality of a casino bonus, to odds, bet types and more. Some of the key things we look out for when rating iGaming sites and sportsbooks are below.
Licensing
If you are playing in Ontario, look out for an IGO license (iGaming Ontario). Other provinces don’t have a provincial license, but they are able to use the IGO license as a point of reference. Even if it doesn’t apply in your province, it is a sign the brand has a good reputation. Any operator licensed by Curacao, Costa Rica, and Panama operates without an official Canadian license, but they still accept players over 18 years old. The same is 19 for licensed Canadian casinos.
User Experience
You should always look for a site that provides a smooth user experience. How a platform looks and feels is important. Your gambling experience should be seamless, intuitive and most of all, fun.
Odds, Markets & Games
When playing on a sportsbook, there should be a wide range of bets such as parlays, totals and live betting options. For online casinos, you should be able to access multiple slots and table games.
Payment Options
To rank highly on our site, all sites should have a vast array of payment methods. Additionally, the sites should enable you to deposit and withdraw funds with ease.
Added Features
With the advancements in technology, betting apps are almost mandatory. Other features such as cash out and live streaming are also beneficial.
Legal Canada Online Gambling Sites
- BetMGM Sportsbook
Sports offered: 20
Our Rating: 9/10
- Caesars Sportsbook
Sports offered: 10+
Our Rating: 8/10
- BetRivers Sportsbook
Sports offered: 15+
Our Rating: 8/10
- Unibet Sportsbook
Sports Offered: 18
Our Rating: 8/10
- PartyCasino
Games Offered: Hundreds of slots with multiple table games
Our Rating: 9/10
Offshore Online Casinos in Canada
Games Offered: Hundreds of slots, live dealer, and multiple table games
Our Rating: 10/10
- Slots Empire
Games Offered: 150+ online slots, live dealer, and poker
Our Rating: 10/10
- Slots.LV
Games Offered: 180+ online slots, live casino, and blackjack
Our Rating: 10/10
- Red Dog Casino
Games Offered: 200+ online slots, live dealer, blackjack, poker, and more
Our Rating: 10/10
Online Gambling in Canada FAQs 🙋♂️
Are gambling winnings subject to tax in Canada?
Not unless you are a professional gambler. The definition covers pro sports bettors and poker players, treating their profits as business income. Apart from this, gambling winnings are tax-free for everyone, including sports bets and jackpot income.
What's the minimum age requirement for online gambling in Canada?
Provinces individually set the legal age for gambling. Typically, if you want to gamble in poker rooms or live casinos, you must be 19. However, in Manitoba, Alberta and Quebec, the age is 18. There are some provinces that set the age to buy lottery tickets at 18 and up.
Is sports betting legal in Canada?
Yes. Canada removed the ban on single-game betting in 2021. Every provincial lottery corporation has since added full-scale sports wagering to the previously parlay-only sports products. Additionally, Ontario opened up its market to privately owned bookmakers on April 4, introducing operators such as DraftKings, FanDuel and PointsBet.
Can I play online casino games in Canada?
Provincial lottery sites offer numerous online casino games, from online table games to live dealer games and hundreds of slots.
What Sports can I bet online in Canada?
The best online sportsbooks will offer a large selection of sports to bet on. The most popular in Canada include:
- Ice Hockey
- Basketball
- Football
- Soccer
- Tennis
- eSports
- Cricket
- Golf
- Curling
What betting options are available at online sportsbooks?
Online sportsbooks provide numerous betting options such as moneylines, parlays, over/unders, player props and live betting.
What features are available at CA online gambling sites?
The best gaming sites will have unique features which make your gambling experience exciting. Some features that have proven to be extremely popular for sportsbooks include cash out and live streaming. For online casinos, live dealer games have been a hit, with bettors enjoying the feeling of being in a physical casino while playing from home.
Can I gamble online with an app?
Yes. Mobile gaming is very popular and most gambling sites have a dedicated app offering the same options as their desktop site.
