Thinking About Gambling Online In Canada?
To put any potential punters at rest, let’s clarify the legal position of online gambling in Canada. In brief, it is unlawful to run an internet casino in Canada without a license; nevertheless, playing at any offshore casino is entirely safe and legal for Canadians. In fact, the gross gambling turnover at offshore casinos was $392 million in 2019, with a forecast increase to $451 million in 2020 (prior to COVID-19).
Here are the 5 key points that you must know if gambling online in Canada:
- Playing at an online casino site, whether for leisure or as a part-time job, poses no legal danger to Canadians.
- There has never been a case brought against a Canadian person for using an online gaming service (casino, poker or sportsbook)
- It is unlawful to operate an online casino without a license if you are based in Canada; however, all of our recommended casinos are located outside of Canada.
- Any profits from your gaming activities are not taxable unless they are considered a kind of employment based on skill, frequency, and the anticipation of a payout – earnings from online casino games played for leisure are not taxable.
- The Criminal Code of Canada is the official codification of criminal crimes and procedures in Canada; nevertheless, it does not specifically penalize playing at an online casino site.
Regulators and Gaming Authorities
The 1970 criminal code amendment allowed individual provinces in Canada to regulate and license gaming in their areas, allowing gambling to flourish. As a result, a number of land-based casinos as well as provincial gaming authority lotteries have sprouted up.
Check out these sites for the Provincial Gaming Authorities:
British Columbia – BCLC
Alberta – Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission
Saskatchewan – Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority
Manitoba – Liquor and Gaming Commission of Manitoba
Ontario – Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation
Quebec – Loto Quebec
Newfoundland & Labrador – Service NL
Prince Edward Island – Prince Edward Island Lotteries Commission
Nova Scotia – Alcohol, Gaming, Fuel and Tobacco Division Service of Nova Scotia
New Brunswick – New Brunswick Gaming Control
Kahnawake Commission: In 1996, the Mohawk territory of Kahnawake, located in Quebec, saw the potential of online gaming and established the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. The Mohawk commission, as an Indian reservation and hence an autonomous legal organization, is not bound by Canadian legislation and thus has the authority to license and regulate offshore online gambling firms.
Not from North America? No problem! Click here to read if you can gamble online outside of North America.
Want to learn more about online gambling? Learn about, internet casino gambling, online gambling in the USA, Canada, or outside North America, downfalls of online gambling, and staying safe when gambling online.
Amy Chung, Oakville, ON, July 2021