1. Is Sports Betting Legal In Canada
2. Is Sports Betting Legal In Canada Today
3. Sports Betting Laws In Canada

Last May, the United States Supreme Court made a landmark decision by striking down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). The decision effectively killed the United States’ federal ban on sports betting, which cleared the way for state legislatures to decide individually whether they wanted to legalize and regulate sports betting.

Since the decision, a number of states, including New Jersey, have opened betting on sports to the public. The industry is among the fastest-growing in the United States, and more states are expected to follow suit in the months and years ahead.

Currently in Canada, it is legal for local provincial government to offer sports betting, although this betting is somewhat limited in the fact that only Parlays covering more than one game are allowed. With the lack of competition, the prices on offer will not be particularly good. 18, 2019 photo, patrons visit the sports betting area of Twin River Casino in Lincoln, R.I. Currently, companies licensed by Canadian provinces are only permitted to offer what is. Sports Betting Laws (parlays) One of the quirks of the Criminal Code is that it stipulates that it is against the law to bet on a single sport event or athletic contest. Authorized betting operators only permit sports punters to bet on the outcome of multiple matches in, say, the.

Meanwhile, the activity is still banned in Canada. That said, could the decision from the U.S. Supreme Court eventually help convince lawmakers to open their doors to sports betting in Canada, too? Back in March, the Toronto Sun reported that Ontario’s Finance Minister, Vic Fedeli, had sent a letter to Canada’s federal Finance Minister, Bill Morneau. In the letter, Fedeli asked Morneau to amend the country’s criminal code in order to legalize single-game sports betting in Ontario.

There is still no word on whether Morneau plans to act on Fedeli’s request, but the fact that the conversation of whether to legalize sports betting in Canada is happening is at least a step in the right direction.

Could sports betting become legal in Canada in the near future?

Current Canadian Sports Betting Situation

At present, a very limited amount of sports betting is permitted in Ontario, Canada’s largest province. The only platform available to bettors is called Pro-Line, which is a government-supported service that allows bettors to place bets on a minimum of 3 selections. Like a parlay bet, all 3 results have to be correct for the bet to win.

Fedeli reportedly stated in his letter that he is concerned that the increasing popularity of sports betting in the U.S. could mean that Canada will lose out on a potential revenue windfall. Fedeli stated that simply tweaking the law in Ontario alone would generate an additional $110 million in revenue on an annual basis, which would certainly benefit the government and citizens of the province.

Fedeli cited cities like Las Vegas that are notorious hotbeds for sports bettors. In the letter, he said, “Single event sports wagering is one of the fastest-growing categories of gambling entertainment. In fact, in a typical year, more than 90 percent of the sports dollars wagered in Nevada sportsbooks are on a single event bet.”

As it stands, Canadians are not permitted to place bets on a single event, such as the NFL’s Super Bowl or the CFL’s Grey Cup. Fedeli argues that Canada is potentially losing players that would be willing to bet in Canada to nearby states that have since planned to legalize it, such as New Jersey or Michigan.

Fedeli also stated that the fact that major professional sports leagues like the NBA and Major League Baseball have since come around on the idea of supporting the legalization of sports betting should serve as a reason for Canada to get with the times. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver offered his support by writing,

“The NBA would support the province of Ontario offering this form of betting, subject to appropriate safeguards.”

This is quite the turn considering it wasn’t long ago that the NBA was strongly opposed to all forms of gambling. Back when the Toronto Raptors joined the NBA in 1995, there was a condition that dictated that Raptors games were ineligible for the Pro-Line wagering service.

History of Sports Betting in Canada

Fedeli’s letter is just the latest call for the legalization of sports betting in Canada. In fact, some lawmakers have been trying to get the ball rolling on the issue since 2011. Unfortunately, little progress has been made over the years, but not for lack of effort.

The current laws are not equipped to deal with the growing number of players betting on sports or playing casino games online, which essentially leaves Canada in a grey area as far as regulation goes. In 2015, Ontario MP Brian Masse attempted to repeal a portion of the country’s criminal code that makes it illegal to bet on a single sporting event.

While Masse attempted to focus his efforts on consumer protection and the potential financial benefits legalization would bring to his region, those in opposition to the idea continued to cite the tired old concerns regarding potential game-fixing and the proliferation of gambling addiction among young people. As a result, the bill was eventually struck down by a 156-133 margin.

Following America’s Footsteps?

The renewed calls for gambling legalization in Canada coming on the heels of the aforementioned U.S. Supreme Court’s decision is no accident, of course. Legal sports betting is available across Europe, and the United States is hopeful that bringing the activity out of the shadows will ultimately prove beneficial for all involved.

Because Canada is at risk of losing huge amounts of money with prospective gamblers fleeing to the south, the time is now for the country to take the next step and finally step up to the plate on the issue. About 90 percent of the Canadian population lives within 100 miles of the American border, so it’s not exactly difficult for those wanting to gamble legally to do so.

The fact that the provincial legislature and federal parliament are not currently aligned politically may be a roadblock. Conservatives currently control the provincial portion of government, while liberals have control of parliament. This kind of alignment isn’t necessarily conducive to bold deals getting done.

Legalized sports betting will come to Canada at some point in the near future, especially as long as the industry continues to thrive and grow down in the United States.

Sports betting is popular throughout the entire world, and Canada is in no way an exception. Canadian residents frequently enjoy betting on their favourite sports such as ice hockey, curling, football, soccer, basketball, horse racing and others.

However, just like any other country out there, Canada has its own set of online sports betting laws that all citizens must abide by.

These laws can sometimes be a bit confusing, so there isn’t a straight answer to the question of whether sports betting is legal in Canada or not.

There are also individual laws that each Canadian province and territory has, as well as some special laws that relate to their Native reservations.

In short, understanding Canadian sports betting laws is not as easy as you might have thought. Therefore, I decided to make a detailed article explaining the complexities of Canadian sports betting laws and regulations.

Is Sports Betting Legal In Canada

I will also provide you with a list of trusted and legal Canadian betting sites and offshore online sportsbooks that accept Canadian players. Read on!

The History of Canadian Betting Laws

Before we dive into the present-day betting laws in Canada, let’s reflect on the history of legal gambling in this country.

Like with any other country, casinos and gambling in Canada has a long, twisted, complex history. Going back, when it started off, gambling in all its forms was completely legal in Canada. The first known document that relates to Canadian gambling laws dates back to 1892 when the Canadian Criminal Code was written. The Code suggested that all forms of gambling are illegal in the country of Canada. Initially, the law was straight forward – gambling in all its forms was a big no and there was no two ways about it. However, a lot has changed in the previous century, as betting laws started to loosen up over time as the coppers just turned a blind eye to some more socially acceptable forms of betting and gambling even though it was technically illegal.

Bingo games and raffles were legalised in the early 1900s, although they were only allowed for charitable purposes. During the 1920s, horse racing was legalised as well. As the Canadian government saw many potential financial benefits from gambling, they also made way for federal and provincial-run lotteries during the late 1960s and 1970s. At the same time, first land-based casinos started to appear all around the country and slot machines were getting increasingly popular.

However, one of the biggest turning points came in 1985 when gambling machines such as slot machines were made legal. Legalisation of gaming machines meant that there were places you could go to where you could play on these machines, and this paved the way for land based casinos. Not too many years after the legalisation of gaming machines, slowly but surely, land based casinos started popping up across the country.

Is It Legal to Bet on Sports in Canada Today?

Canadian sports betting laws are largely outdated and need restructuring, especially after online betting reshaped the industry in the past several years.

As mentioned, the law states that companies should not operate any illegal online gambling service within Canada. However, it does not specify anything about Canadian players and residents playing such games and partaking in online gambling. Since nothing has been exclusively mentioned about this, it simply means that there is no restriction per se. Therefore, it is not illegal for anyone living in Canada to play at online casinos or even make online sports bets.

The laws do state that players should not be found in an illegal betting house, however, when it comes to online betting houses or casinos, it is simply unreasonable to expect a player to know where the server of the service is located and then determine whether the casino is legal or not as per Canadian law. Therefore, once again, the laws are anything but crystal clear. To give you a perspective, let’s just have you know that never has an online casino player from Canada been arrested for playing at an online casino. According to the Government of British Columbia, anyone 19 years or older may gamble in the state at casinos, horse racing tracks, bingos, and lottery retailers, while the BC Lottery Corporation manages and conducts all commercial gambling including online gambling.

What Is The Legal Age To Gamble In Canada

In short, it is not illegal to place sports wagers online in Canada, as long as the website you’re betting on is operated from within the country or province and holds a valid online gambling license issued by the federal government. Also, depending on the type of gambling and your current location, the minimum legal betting age can be either 18 or 19.

The laws about accessing and betting on offshore sites are murky and don’t clearly state whether pursuing this activity is legal or not. Nevertheless, there have been no persecutions or arrests made due to illegal offshore betting in Canada to date.

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Contents

• Is It Legal to Bet on Sports in Canada Today?
• Provincial Sports Betting Laws in Canada
  • Alberta
  • British Columbia
  • Manitoba
  • New Brunswick
  • Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Ontario
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Quebec
  • Saskatchewan

The Criminal Code of Canada

The Criminal Code of Canada is essentially the name given to a piece of legislation which is responsible for defining exactly what is legal and what is illegal in terms of gambling, both online and offline on Canadian soil. Canadian provinces have been vested with the power to grant licenses, revoke licenses and regulate these licenses for both land based casinos as well as online casinos.

Specifically, the regulations which outlaw the certain gaming in Canada may be found under part 7 of the criminal code, and there is more relevant statements regarding gaming which also appear in section 207.

The Kahnawake Gaming Commission

Kahnawake Gaming Commission is a gaming regulatory body in Canada that enjoys a special status. It’s in charge of operating land-based casinos and betting sites situated in the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake. The gaming laws of this territory are not challenged by the federal laws of Canada and are therefore very favourable to online operators.

To be eligible for a gaming license from the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, there are several standards and eligibility criteria which the applying casino must satisfy.

The association itself and its powers to regulate are essentially a result of the Canadian governments push to make the legal atmosphere more accepting of gaming and more tolerant of the already thriving Kahnawake Internet gambling communities.

The residents of this territory are free to play on all websites regulated by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. Online sportsbooks that operate under the Kahnawake license offer many more betting options than other official provincial betting sites. It is estimated that around 250 online gaming sites in Canada are licensed by this commission.

Even though most forms of gambling is now legal in Canada, online gambling is still not completely out of the clutches of the law provided that the Government still refuses to issue local companies to operate web based gaming rooms. However, considering the trend and the history, it is clear that it is only going to be a matter of time before the Government is confronted with the fact that there are plenty of overseas companies that will still reap the benefits of the demand for online casinos amongst Canadian players and so it would actually just be better to allow Canadian companies themselves to start online casinos to serve the country’s growing online gamer base.

Provincial Sports Betting Laws in Canada

Sports betting laws in Canada are regulated by the federal government and the individual provincial governments of the country. The ten provincial governments include Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Saskatchewan.

Alberta

All gambling activities in Alberta must be in line with the province’s Gaming and Liquor Act that saw its latest changes in 2013. There are several official sports betting games, but there are no online betting sites operating from within Alberta.

Nevertheless, Alberta residents have plenty of alternative options where they can bet safely and legally.

What Is The Legal Age To Gamble In Alberta?

The legal gambling age in Alberta is 18.

British Columbia

Sports betting in British Columbia is regulated by the Gaming Control Act of 2012. Officially, the only recognised legal website in BC is PlayNow.com, where you can play only up to six sports betting games with heavily restricted bet sizes and limits.

Of course, you can circumvent this by playing on some other Canadian or offshore websites where the offers are much better, and you would still avoid the risk of breaking the law.

What Is The Legal Age To Gamble In British Columbia?

The legal gambling age in British Columbia is 19.

Manitoba

All gambling operations in Manitoba are regulated by the Liquor and Gaming Authority of Manitoba, alongside Manitoba Lotteries Corporation that regulates lottery games in the province.

The legal sports betting games include Pro-Line, Pro-Picks Props, Pro-Picks Pools and Point-Spread. Manitoba residents can also access and use PlayNow.com.

What Is The Legal Age To Gamble In Manitoba?

The legal gambling age in Manitoba is 18.

New Brunswick

Governing bodies overseeing online betting activities in New Brunswick include The New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation, as well as The Atlantic Lottery Corporation.

There are several sports betting games regulated by the ALC, and they can be played at their official website ProLineStadium.com.

What Is The Legal Age To Gamble In New Brunswick?

The legal gambling age in New Brunswick is 19.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Sports betting laws in Newfoundland and Labrador are regulated according to the Lottery Licensing Regulation that was constructed in 2002.

Service NL also governs gambling activities in the province. There are several Pro-Line websites where the residents of this province can enjoy sports betting legally.

What Is The Legal Age To Gamble In Newfoundland and Labrador?

The legal gambling age in Newfoundland and Labrador is 19.

Nova Scotia

The Gaming Control Act of 1995 is still in power in Nova Scotia, and it is regulated by the province’s Alcohol and Gaming Division, as well as the Nova Scotia Provincial Lotteries and Casino Corporation. The ACL’s website ProLineStadium.com provides official sports betting games in the province. The legal gambling age in Nova Scotia is 19.

Ontario

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario was established in 1998 with the goal of regulating sports betting and other gambling activities in Ontario.

Today, both land-based and online betting is under the watch of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG).

The OLG offers several sports betting games but excludes single-game wagers, as well as some other popular options found on offshore sites.

What Is The Legal Age To Gamble In Ontario?

The legal gambling age in Ontario is 19.

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island Lottery Commission and the ACL are in charge of regulating sports betting operations in Price Edward Island.

Due to limited sports betting options offered by the official governing bodies, many PEI residents seek their luck on offshore websites.

What Is The Legal Age To Gamble On Prince Edward Island?

The legal gambling age on Prince Edward Island is 19.

Quebec

Quebec offers several government-run lotteries and online sportsbooks that are regulated under the Quebec Alcohol, Racing, and Gaming commission formed in 1993.

What Is The Legal Age To Gamble In Quebec?

The legal gambling age in Quebec is 18.

Saskatchewan

The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority and the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority oversee all betting activities in the province of Saskatchewan.

As is the case with many other provinces, the choice of sports betting games is very limited compared to offshore sites.

What Is The Legal Age To Gamble In Saskatchewan?

The legal gambling age in Saskatchewan is 19.

Is Online Betting Legal in Canada?

When it comes to the legality of online gambling in Canada, there is no straight forward answer. The fact is that it is a complicated issue, a grey area, if you will. In fact, when it comes to gambling laws, it isn’t only Canada where the situation is rather complex, it’s pretty much more or less the same in the rest of the world too.

Land based casinos and gambling in some forms for the most part is legal in Canada. In a nutshell, the same thing can be said for online and internet gaming as well.

However, the laws aren’t exactly clear when it comes to online gambling services which are offered by companies based overseas.

As per the current law, companies cannot lawfully operate online casinos and poker rooms in the nation of Canada. However, ironically, most of the gaming servers used exclusively for online gambling are actually located in the Kahnawake native reserve itself which is most certainly a part of the country. Therefore, it would not be an overstatement to say that even though the law says one thing, what actually happens in Canada is a completely different story, in terms of online gambling.

The bottom line – even though the law relating to online casinos are murky, there is absolutely no legal issues when it comes to Canadian players who play at online casinos.

FAQ

Is Sports Betting Legal In Canada Today

If you are going across the border to neighbouring Michigan, you should know that sports betting is considered an illegal activity in this state. Michigan is one of the first states to allow casinos in the country, but their online sports betting laws are still pretty strict.

Sports Betting Laws In Canada

As a Canadian resident, you will have hundreds of different websites to choose from, both the ones run from your country and province, and the ones that are operated offshore. I have made a list of all sports betting sites that accept Canadian players, so check it out and start betting today.