Gambling in Canada is regulated by each province. Provincial governments detail what gambling forms are permitted or prohibited in the region as such. Local lawmakers can also decide where to direct their gambling revenue - aside from a trust fund, and addiction prevention and treatment programs.
Not all forms of gambling are consistent amongst provinces, neighboring provinces may have a serious conflict because one allows a certain form of gambling the other does not permit. For this reason, all federal and provincial Canadian gambling laws are upheld and must be known before wandering into unfamiliar territory.
Allowed Forms Of Gambling Per Canadian Province
Below we list various provinces in Canada which allow gambling. The provinces can either offer casino gambling, lotteries, sports wagering, and/or horse racing. Each province’s gambling forms are regulated by a local gaming commission and licensed by that province like provisions detailed within the First Nations Gaming Act.
- Casino Gambling permitted in Province: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Northwest, Nunavut, Yukon
- Lotteries permitted in Province: Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon
- Parlay Sports Gambling permitted in Province: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon
- Horse Race Gambling permitted in Province: British Columbia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Saskatchewan
Canadian Provincial Gaming Regulators
Provinces often have several regulators and oversight boards for their domestic provincial gambling forms. Some regulators within a province can operate and manage more than one gambling form such as the Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario. Outside of the obvious alcohol regulation, the Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario regulates the provincial gaming industry, as well as, horse racing.
The Alberta Gaming & Liquor Commission also regulates domestic provincial gaming while redirecting funds to the community through charities. Other regulators by province include the:
- Atlantic Lottery Corporation
- British Columbia Gaming Policy / Enforcement Branch
- Department of Community Services
- Kahnawake Gaming Commission
- Liquor and Gaming Authority of Manitoba (LGA)
- Loto Quebec
- New Brunswick Lotteries & Gaming Corporation
- North West Territories Municipal & Community Affairs
- Nova Scotia Provincial Lotteries & Casino Corporation
- Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation
- Quebec Alcohol, Racing and Gaming Commission
- Saskatchewan Liquor & Gaming Commission (SLGC)
- Service NL
Canadian Online Gambling
Canada permits provinces the option to regulate and legalize online gambling entertainment. While domestic online Canadian casinos are available, their options in terms of game selection, bonuses, and features can not really compare to the options offered through licensed offshore online Canadian casino gambling resources. Currently, Canada’s provinces can either legalize domestic online casino gambling, poker gambling, sports wagering, horse race betting, and lotteries.