Content:
- Legal casino platforms in Canada
- Legality of online casinos in Canada
- How are online casinos controlled in Canada?
- Offshore casino regulations
- Will online casinos prosper in Canada?
Canadians are some of the luckiest players because they have a very wide choice of online and brick-and-mortar casinos. Players can play at any casino they like choosing between offers, games, and other services. If you are facing such a choice at the moment, check out the following legal Canadian online casinos. We are sure one of them will be your favorite.
Legal casino platforms in Canada
In this post, we give you recommendations on a few Canadian casinos you might like. However, if you want to check other legal casino platforms available for Canadians, go to the casino reviews page on our portal. We post detailed reviews of legal online casino sites in Canada.
All gambling platforms are different, offering unique bonus deals, a range of various games, and fantastic conditions for loyal gamblers. If you are looking for the best casino online that’s made for you, check out the entire list of reviewed casinos we have on Bestocasino.com.
To make your decision faster, we recommend checking the pluses and minuses list at the beginning of each casino review. This way, you will sort out casinos you’re interested in and not interested in.
Legality of online casinos in Canada
Let’s not talk in circles, casino websites are legal in Canada unless they are owned by local companies. In other words, Canadians can gamble at international casino sites. But it’s illegal to own a gambling website. It has nothing to do with local authorities, though. For example, in British Columbia and Manitoba, there is a local gambling platform online regulated by the provincial government.
All forms of online gambling are allowed, including slots, poker, card and table games, lotteries, video poker online, bingo, sports betting, and so on.
Here are a few things you should know about online real money gaming in Canada so that misleading information doesn’t put you in doubt:
- Canadian residents are allowed to play on websites for real money. They aren’t at any legal risk when playing on casino sites.
- There was no case when a Canadian was prosecuted for betting online.
- Canadian residents cannot own a casino site on the territory of Canada. It’s considered illegal.
- Gambling real money winnings are not taxed unless they are a source of earning money. If you consider gambling your full-time job, you must pay taxes for this income.
- Each province and territory in Canada has its regulations about online and offline gambling but the Criminal Code of Canada doesn’t criminalize any form of gambling.
- You can legally gamble and bet in Canada when you turn 18 or 19 depending on where in Canada you reside. Address your local authorities on this question.
These are the main things to know about gambling in Canada. From this moment on, you mustn’t doubt the legality of your gambling activities in your country. So your next step is just to choose a casino online you wish to play at, register, and enjoy your time without negative thoughts!
How are online casinos controlled in Canada?
As we pointed out, Canadian provinces and territories have the right to regulate online casinos the way they want. This became available in 1970 when the Criminal Code allowed gambling.
For more than 5 decades local provincial authorities have allowed the opening of lottery businesses and land-based gambling venues with slot machines and real tables. So in all parts of the country, there are several casinos and bookmakers as well as bingo halls and stands with lottery tickets.
Online gambling is no less popular. To be honest, their number has grown significantly due to the recent pandemic when land-based casinos had to close their doors. Players turned online in search of entertainment while staying home.
Nowadays, it’s not the case. However, many players stayed online and still gamble and bet on websites rather than at real casino establishments.
Local casino websites, land-based casinos, bookmakers, bingo halls, and poker rooms are regulated by special authorities in each province and territory:
- British Columbia – BCLC
- Ontario – Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation
- Québec – Loto Québec
- Saskatchewan – Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority
- Nova Scotia – Alcohol, Gaming, Fuel and Tobacco Division Service of Nova Scotia
- Alberta – Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission
- Manitoba – Liquor and Gaming Commission of Manitoba
- Newfoundland – Service NL
- Prince Edward Island – Prince Edward Island Lotteries Commission
- New Brunswick – New Brunswick Gaming Control
These authorities cannot control offshore casino sites though. But what players prefer is exactly offshore casinos because they offer better bonus systems, more games, and better experience in general. Then, who regulates offshore casinos and can you trust them?
Offshore casino regulations
It depends on the jurisdiction a casino is registered in. Most internet casinos that offer their service to Canadians are registered in Malta, the UK, and Curacao. So you will frequently come across casinos regulated by their authorities such as the Malta Gaming Authority, the Government of Curacao, the UK Gambling Commission, and Curacao eGaming.
Such online casinos as 7Bit Casino, Spin Casino, Fairspin, JackpotCity, 1Red, and Slot Hunter are representatives of offshore casinos regulated and licensed in one of these jurisdictions. However, there are gambling operators that receive licenses from multiple authorities. This way, they enlarge the number of countries they are accepted in. Plus, they raise trust in the eyes of players. Of course, multi-licensed online casinos are more trustworthy and reliable. 888 Casino is a good example of such a platform.
Many offshore websites also apply for a license from the Kahnawake Gambling Commission. It’s a gambling regulator in the Mohawk territory (Indian reservation). However, it’s not bound by Canadian legislation so it has its own gambling regulations.
Will online casinos prosper in Canada?
They already do. Since 2019 online real money games have become more popular than before. And because the industry of online gambling is growing surprisingly fast, the future of online gambling in Canada is bright. Thanks to the convenient conditions for the activity of offshore gambling operators, they open their virtual doors to Canadians every day. The government doesn’t seem to tighten the law. So players as well as businesses can stay safe on the legal side.
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