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© 2024 CasinoPilot.ca. All rights reserved.Are Online Casinos Licensed in Canada?
Overall, yes. Players need to be sure they are playing at licensed online casinos, specially when talking about new casinos. The legal status of online gambling in Canada is a tough one considering there is a myriad of factors which suggest that the online gambling laws in Canada are not conclusive.
The Canadian gambling laws are easily circumvented by people, casinos (brick and mortar), and online casinos because they are not as defined as in other countries. Take for instance the fact that the U.S.A. has banned all and any form of online casinos not within its borders. In Canada, the ban is on physical casinos and thus does not deter people from playing online. The law legally allows Canadian lotteries, which are not as addictive and encourage players on how to manage money.
Owing to man’s competitive nature and desire to win, gambling has become extremely popular. What is more, is that there is a feeling of excitement every time someone wins an amount of money, making it addictive. In light of this, it is, therefore, important for players to register in reputable casinos which have complied with the rules and regulations as required by the online gambling laws in Canada.
List of Licensed Casinos in Canada
All casinos are: 
Licenced & Verified 
Expertly Reviewed
Licenced & Verified 
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A common question that arises for many Canadians is whether it is legal to gamble at online casinos for real money. The simple answer to this question is yes – there is no legal risk to using a gambling site, and no citizen of Canada has ever been prosecuted for doing so. The actual status of legal casinos Canada is slightly more complex than that, as we shall see.
Canada is what is known as a grey market for gambling sites. There is a small and limited set of official government-run online casino portals, and a much larger selection of offshore operators that cater to the Canadian market. On this page we have included all the relevant information about the laws regarding casino sites in Canada.
Key points on casino licenses:
- It is legal for Canadians to play at online gambling sites
- It is safe to play at licensed offshore sites
- Some provinces have official online gambling websites
- Private casino operators cannot be based on Canadian soil
Legal Casinos Canada – Offshore Licenses
The majority of Canadians choose to use casino sites that are based overseas, many of which also operate in European and other markets. These sites have the best selection of quality games, excellent bonuses and loyalty schemes. Players like them because they offer superior content, value and variety.
Although these can be classed as legal casinos Canada, in truth it is more accurate to say that they are not illegal. The Canadian Criminal Code does not directly address the use of offshore gambling sites, and they are freely permitted to serve players in Canada. The reality is that the market is unregulated, and the authorities take a hands-off approach.
Some attempts have been made to restrict access to overseas casino sites, but none have been successful. As of now, anyone in Canada who is of age can play freely at any of these gambling houses. It is up to the player to ensure that they choose a reputable site, and this means finding one with a good casino license.
Licensing
Since offshore sites fall out of Canadian jurisdiction, it is the responsibility of the player to avoid unscrupulous operators. The first thing to check is the license. If a casino is unlicensed it should be avoided at all costs, as it leaves players completely unprotected. Unlicensed gambling sites may target grey zones like Canada, since they cannot legally operate in regulated markets.
Look out for licenses issued by reputable gaming boards such as the Malta Gaming Authority, a Curaçao Gaming License, UKGC, or even one from the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. This last one is technically based in Canada, on native Mohawk soil, but still only issues licenses to overseas operators.
Licenses protect players because the gambling sites must comply with strict rules regarding security, fair play, fraud, responsible gaming and more. Failure to meet the required standards will result in heavy fines from the regulator, and license revocation for serious infractions. The issuing authority can also resolve disputes if the action of the site operator proves unsatisfactory. Many reputable casinos also collaborate with independent organisations such as eCOGRA. This agency audits games for fairness, helps casino sites to uphold their standards, and provides another avenue for player protection.
A single license is enough, but some legal casinos Canada hold multiple licenses for different countries. This is usually a good sign as it shows that the casino operator can comply with regulations in areas where the rules are extremely strict, such as the United Kingdom.
If you would like to know more about the different licensing authorities, please visit our dedicated pages where you can find in-depth information on each. The legal casinos Canada that we recommend on our site are all fully licensed and safe – we never promote unlicensed gambling sites.
Legal Casinos Canada – Provincial Licenses
As we have seen, there is no reason to avoid offshore casinos in Canada – so long as they hold a recognised casino license they are completely safe and offer great quality and choice. For some Canadians, however, there is an alternative to overseas operators in the form of state-run gambling websites.
Since 1970, each province of Canada has been responsible for regulating gambling within its region. All ten provinces have a separate gaming authority which run lotteries and oversee land casinos and sports betting. A portion of the profits from gambling activities is used to fund municipal projects and key services such as education and health.
The gambling authorities of each province are as follows:
- Alberta – Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission
- British Columbia – British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC)
- Manitoba – Liquor and Gaming Commission of Manitoba
- New Brunswick – New Brunswick Gaming Control
- New Foundland – Service NL
- Nova Scotia – Alcohol, Gaming, Fuel and Tobacco Division Service of Nova Scotia
- Ontario – Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation
- Prince Edward Island – Prince Edward Island Lotteries Commission
- Quebec – Loto Quebec
- Saskatchewan – Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority
Canadian Provinces with State-Run Online Casinos
Since control of these activities is decentralised, what is available varies considerably between provinces. Some of the authorities also provide an online casino to serve residents of the province. The provinces that have their own official regulated online casino site are:
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba (via BCLC)
- Ontario
- Quebec
Residents of other provinces have no access to official legal casinos Canada, and so there is no choice but to use an international operator. However, even residents of the provinces listed above often prefer to use overseas gambling sites. No matter how good the local sites may be, they simply cannot compete with the choice and quality offered by licensed offshore casinos.
Summary
On this page we have laid out all the relevant information about playing at licensed casinos in Canada. Here is a quick recap of the important points covered:
- International online casinos are not regulated by Canadian law. Players can use them legally, but they are not protected by local laws.
- Choose only a fully licensed casino site, as the license issuer regulates the casino and provides consumer protection.
- Some provinces have official online gambling portals, but they are not available in every province and they have less variety than offshore casino sites.
02/09/2021