Legal Gambling Age Canada

Gambling age in Canada is a limitation dependent on the province you are located in. One needs to be over 18 years old to gamble in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec. However, casinos in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan accept only patrons over 19. Anyone who meets the minimum age of 19 (which is also the legal drinking age in Canada). Tickets can be purchased for as little as $2, while the maximum daily wager is capped at $250. Gambling Laws in Saskatchewan. According to a study conducted by Statistics Canada, residents of Saskatchewan spend more per household on gambling than any other.

• Legal Gambling Age In Michigan
• Legal Gambling Age Canada
• Legal Gambling Age Colorado

• • MLA 8TH EDITION
  • Sheppard, R. Ronald and Garry J. Smith. 'Gambling'. The Canadian Encyclopedia, 16 December 2013, Historica Canada. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/gambling. Accessed 31 December 2020.
• • APA 6TH EDITION
  • Sheppard, R., & Smith, G., Gambling (2013). In The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/gambling
• • CHICAGO 17TH EDITION
  • Sheppard, R. Ronald, and Garry J. Smith, 'Gambling'. In The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Article published February 07, 2006; Last Edited December 16, 2013. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/gambling
• • TURABIAN 8TH EDITION
  • Sheppard, R. Ronald, and Garry J. Smith . The Canadian Encyclopedia, s.v. 'Gambling', Last Edited December 16, 2013, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/gambling

Thank you for your submission

Our team will be reviewing your submission
and get back to you with any further questions.

Thanks for contributing to The Canadian Encyclopedia.

Legal Gambling Age In Michigan

Gambling

Gambling is the betting of something of value on the outcome of a contingency or event, the result of which is uncertain and may be determined by chance, skill, a combination of chance and skill, or a contest. Long before John Cabot's voyage to Canada in 1497, gambling was popular among native people. While many of the native games from the past are now recalled only as a part of cultural history, native people used gaming sticks for centuries before the arrival of the Europeans and the decks of playing cards they brought with them.

For the past century or so the most popular gambling games have been the card games of poker, stook and blackjack, and the dice games of craps and barbotte. During the KLONDIKE GOLD RUSH, the game of Faro, played with a regular deck of cards, was popular. The origins of Faro can be traced to the German game of 'landsquenet,' which was played as early as 1400. Faro was introduced by American gamblers in areas such as Dawson City, Yukon, where fortunes were won and lost on the turn of a card. When the gold rush ended, so did the popularity of Faro in Canada, although its popularity has survived in the US. (The name has also survived in the name of the town of FARO, YT.)

Legal Status

Since its original enactment in 1892, the Canadian CRIMINAL CODE, following the English common law, has tolerated gambling under certain conditions. A 1910 amendment allowed pari-mutuel (from 'Paris mutuel') betting. This form of betting, in which winners divide losers' stakes and a cut of the bet goes to the track, to the horsemen and the state, became the official and legal form of betting in France in 1894. The amendment also allowed occasional games of chance where profits were used for charitable or religious purposes. A few games were also permitted at agricultural fairs and exhibitions.

Gambling laws, although amended from time to time, remained relatively unchanged until 1970, when sweeping changes to the Criminal Code gave the provinces the authority to license and regulate gambling, with a few exceptions.

Multibillion-Dollar Industry

The 1970 changes have resulted in the creation of a multibillion-dollar gambling industry throughout Canada. In 1989 Canada's first commercial casino opened in Winnipeg followed in 1993 by Montréal. Other provinces have since followed. Manitoba, Québec, Ontario, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan all have commercial casino operations. Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) have been placed in operation by a number of provincial governments. They are simply video slot machines which, instead of vending coins to winners, produce a coupon which is redeemed for cash by the licensee upon whose premises the machines are operated. VLTs have proven to be popular machines and generate millions of dollars annually to provincial governments. The provincial governments are now actively involved in operating LOTTERIES. A large number of charitable and religious groups have come to rely upon gaming revenues for annual budgetary obligations. Agricultural exhibitions and fairs derive substantial profits from gambling activity during annual celebrations. Pari-mutuel racetrack betting has long been a popular pastime; in 1984 Canadians bet $1.64 billion at racetracks across Canada (seeTHOROUGHBRED RACING).

Betting on individual sporting events, by far the most popular form of illegal gambling, generates large profits for the bookmakers, and is the largest source of gambling revenue of ORGANIZED CRIME. Illegal private gaming houses can be found in every major Canadian city. Swindlers using a variety of cheating techniques are common in gaming houses and are also active in legally operated private gambling establishments but almost never attract the attention of law enforcement.

Illegal gambling is generally perceived as a 'victimless crime' and is not one for which the police receive many complaints. Unlike other crimes, modern illegal gambling is tolerated, and there is no public pressure exerted to control it. Its existence and continual growth has seemingly had no effect on the legal gambling market. At the same time, liberalization of legal gambling activities since 1970 appears to have had no effect on illegal gambling.

During the past 80 years gambling in Canada has evolved from an activity socially tolerated only within narrow restraints to a broadly acceptable leisure-time activity. The social, legal and economic consequences of these activities are beginning to be chronicled.

Social Costs

The vast majority of Canadians are able to integrate gambling into their lifestyles without putting themselves in jeopardy; however, for a minority of citizens, out-of-control gambling can have devastating repercussions. Recent provincial studies indicate the about 5% of adults experience problems as a result of their gambling and the adolescent problem gambling rate is 3 times higher than the adult rate. Even though the percentage of problem gamblers in Canadian society is relatively small, excessive gambling is not a victimless activity. It is estimated that a problem gambler has a damaging effect on 10 to 15 people around them, including relatives, friends and employers.

The fallout from uncontrolled gambling includes life savings lost, bankrupted businesses, gamblers turning to crimes such as fraud and embezzlement to support their habits, incidents of child neglect, spouse abuse and fractured marriages, and gambling-related troubles in the workplace such as absenteeism and declining productivity. Provincial governments have begun to recognize that there are social costs associated with gambling, and as a result are providing ongoing funding for programs to prevent or mitigate the damages caused by problem gambling.

Canada has not always been the pro-gambling territory that it is now. Prior to the 1970s, the criminal code allowed very little when it came to gambling entertainment. Over the years, slowly, the nation has gone from ‘No Way’ to a fairly gambling friendly region. You will find a significant number of legally licensed, brick and mortar gambling destinations throughout the country. You will also find provincially governed online gambling businesses that offer their residents a sophisticated interactive gaming experience from the comfort of their own homes. Lastly, but certainly not least, Canadian residents can legally enjoy offshore Internet gambling sites as long as they are legally licensed and regulated.

Understanding and navigating the gambling laws in Canada are no simple feat. Being able to distinguish between legal and illegal gambling opportunities has become more complex and challenging for all involved. This guide was created to serve the gambling community in Canada by providing insight into the legal status of various gambling platforms, including land based gambling and online gambling. We provide information that is critical to understanding what players are facing in CA. This information is also extremely valuable for those players wishing to make informed decisions regarding gambling entertainment. We have an entire section of our resource guide dedicated to explaining Canadian Gambling Laws.

Legal Gambling Age Canada

Bottom Line Regarding Legal Canadian Gambling Options

Canadians essentially have 2 legal online gambling options available to them. They can choose to play with the local government licensed casinos or lottery sites which are owned and regulated directly by the providence (only a handful exist), or they can choose to play at an offshore gambling site. Both options are 100% legal as there are currently no laws at all that prohibit CA residents from playing for real money via an offshore site. And that’s exactly what most Canadians do since local options are extremely limited. Plus the offshore sites offer much more in the way of bonuses and perks compared to the local sites.

Most Trusted Online Gambling Sites Open To Canadian Players – Play In CAD

The following online gambling sites accept all Canadian players and allow real money gambling in (CAD currency). These sites have been thoroughly vetted by our team of professionals and are well regarded as reputable sites within the online gaming community. Most of our team lives right here in Canada and knows the industry inside and out. In short we love to gamble just like everyone else and will only recommend the highest rated sites to our visitors that we know are trustworthy and pay out winners without the bs.

Frequently Asked Questions Related To Gambling In Canada

Is It Legal To Gamble In Canada?

To answer this question, one must understand the legal landscape that surrounds the gambling industry in Canada. There are no laws in the Criminal Code that prohibit CA players from enjoying gambling entertainment from legally licensed and regulated businesses. It is illegal to operate an online gambling site or brick and mortar gambling business without acquiring the proper licensing. Once licensed, every gambling business must adhere to strict regulatory oversight. The key to staying on the legal side of the tracks when it comes to gambling in Canada is to make sure you restrict your gambling entertainment to only those destinations that are legitimately licensed. Visit our page on Land Based Gambling Laws in Canada for more insight into brick and mortar options that are present in Canada.

Is Online Gambling Legal In Canada?

There are no provisions within Canada’s Criminal Code that make it a crime for players to participate in legally sanctioned online gambling entertainment. This includes both provincially governed gambling sites and licensed offshore gambling sites. This means it is perfectly legal at this time for Canadian players to enjoy online gambling from betting sites at home and abroad. You can learn more from our guide to CA Online Gambling Laws. This guide includes recommendations for legally licensed and reputable gambling sites that have been vetted and approved by our team of industry professionals.

What Is The Legal Gambling Age For Canadians?

A few territories such as Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec allow anyone over the age of 18 to gamble. The rest of the provinces require players to be at least 19 years of age. This is true for both land based brick and mortar casinos or internet gambling sites.

Are Canadians Required To Pay Taxes On Winnings?

This is one area where Canadian players should feel very lucky. Canada does not tax casino winnings or on any game of chance. In other countries the government takes anywhere from 30%-50% right off the top, so not being required to pay taxes on winnings is a very big deal.

What Types Of Gambling Options Are Available To Canadian Residents?

Due to the pro-gambling stance that Canada has taken, there is a nice variety of online gambling venues to choose from. Below we’ve listed the most popular options available and relevant information about each.

Sports Betting: Canadian sports betting is one of the few types of gambling that is permitted through national law rather than provincial law. It is included as a specific exception to the Criminal Code and is permitted via a three team minimum parlay wager. Bill C290 is attempting to remove the 3 team minimum requirement to allow wagering on single games and matches. There are multiple sports betting outlets throughout Canada, as well as online options. There are a lot of complaints regarding Canada based sports gambling due to high betting limits and lines that are not competitive with the offshore sportsbooks. Players are not required to fulfill the three event parlay wager at the international offshore sportsbooks. There is a handful of high quality, legally licensed offshore sportsbooks that accept Canadian players. We’ve listed the leading destinations in our legal online sports betting in Canada guide.

Online Casinos: Canadian online casinos are available through local, provincially regulated destinations and from licensed and regulated offshore online casino sites. Those residents who do not live within a province that offers online casino gaming action will find that the offshore Canadian friendly online casinos are a great option for this type of entertainment.

Online Poker: Like casino gambling and sports betting, Canadian online poker is available through both the individual province channels and through legally licensed online poker rooms that are located offshore. In fact, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission has licensed some of the industry’s leading online poker destinations, including Bodog and Bovada.

Additional options include pari-mutuel wagering, bingo and lottery, all of which can be accessed either through provincial based gambling sites or licensed offshore gambling destinations.

Do These Offshore Sites Allow Me To Play In Local Canadian CAD Currency?

Yes, because we only recommend the biggest and most reputable sites, they have the ability to offer real money gambling in local currencies such as offering CAD dollars to Canuck players.

How Do Gambling Bonuses Work?

Every online betting site offers some type of welcome bonus or reward to new players. They do this because online gambling is a very competitive market, and they need to offer enticing bonuses to attract new players and sustain growth. The most basic bonus is called a deposit or match bonus which means the casino or site will match your first deposit up to a certain amount. A good example is if a casino was offering a 100% matching bonus, and you deposit $500, you would have $1,000 to play with as they basically matched your first deposit in full. Of course there are terms and conditions that players need to be aware of, so make sure you read and understand the terms of any promotion you take advantage of.

Legal Gambling Age Colorado

Are These Offshore Betting Sites Really Legitimate?

Well not every online gambling site you see on the web is legitimate, that’s for sure. But we can guarantee that the sites listed on legalgamblingcanada.com are all very reputable sites. One of the sites “Bet365” is actually a multi billion dollar company. They did 1.5 billion in revenue in just 2015 alone. That’s an interesting tidbit to know as a gambler. They didn’t get that big by being shoddy or by jerking players around. Instead they actually pay their winners when they request a cashout. They run their gambling business like a well oiled machine and come correct in every way. And the other sites we recommend are all just as reputable with an excellent history with paying players, offering fair casino games, superb customer support and more. These are all characteristics that we look at before even being considered to be listed here. It’s why you only see only a few sites listed for each category. Because we are very keen on delivering only the 5 star Canadian friendly gambling sites that we know will take very good care of anyone we send their way. From one gambler to another, trust me you want to play with the top rated sites that have a good history. It will save you headaches and dollars down the road.

Who Regulates Gambling In CA?

This gaming commission is located in Canada, but does not regulate any of the provincially licensed gambling sites that are operating in the country. They actually regulate both land based and online gambling for businesses located within the Kahnawake Territory. This region is considered to be a sovereign nation and oversee several of the most respected Canadian friendly gambling sites on the Internet. Learn more about them on our page dedicated to the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.

Which Provinces/States Offer Legal Gambling Options To Canadian Residents?

Here is an overview of the larger provinces and what types of gambling options are available at each one. Keep in mind that while provincial online gambling may be restricted to residents of that particular province, Canadian friendly offshore online gambling sites are open to all CA players.

Alberta – Alberta is Canada’s most populous province and offers quite a few land based casinos. Alberta does not yet have any provincially licensed online gambling options, but is expected to move in that direction sometime this year. Residents do have access to international online gambling sites that are legally licensed and regulated outside of CA.

British Columbia – British Columbia originally offered online lottery tickets and sports betting options back in 2004. They later added poker, bingo and online casino games. Licensed offshore gambling sites are also an option. Gambling is regulated by the British Columbia Lottery Corp (BCLC).

Manitoba – This province offers online casino games, poker and sports betting through a provincial partnership with British Columbia.

Brunswick – Residents in this province have access to online bingo, interactive games, and lotteries through the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC). Online poker and casino games are expected to be integrated into their offerings in the near future.

Newfoundland – The online gambling options in this province are the result of a partnership with ALC, and include bingo, lotteries, interactive gaming and sports betting. As of 2010, the province rejected any expansion to their online gambling offerings. Residents of Newfoundland that seek online casino games or poker will need to visit a legally licensed offshore gambling site.

Northwest Territory – The Western Canada Lottery Corporation permits legal online and land based gambling in this province. As of this writing, there are no provincially run gambling sites operating in the Northwest Territory. This being said, legal offshore gambling sites will gladly accept citizens residing in this province.

Nova Scotia – The ALC provides online gambling options for Nova Scotia, including lotteries, interactive games, bingo and sports betting. The region declined to include any type of online casino games, deciding against forming their own provincially regulated gaming industry. Casino enthusiasts in Nova Scotia can visit our recommended offshore online gambling sites for expanding gaming options.

Nunavut Territory – Despite the fact that the Western Canada Lottery Corp allows legal online gambling in this region, there are no provincially run gambling sites operating here. Residents in this territory must rely on legally sanctioned offshore gambling sites to enjoy online betting options.

Ontario – Ontario is considered to be one of the more progressive provinces in CA when it comes to online gambling, however their online gambling initiative has not yet launched. Until then, Ontario residents can enjoy legitimate online gambling options at one of our recommended Canadian friendly gambling sites.

Prince Edward Island – Another ALC partner, this province offers its residents online bingo, lotteries, interactive gaming, sports betting and pari-mutuel wagering. Online casino and poker gambling is pending the ALC receiving permission for expanding their offerings.

Quebec – The Quebec province is one of the few offering their residents online casino gambling opportunities through a provincially governed gambling site. For poker and sports betting options, Quebec residents can check out our preferred offshore betting sites for an expanded range of options.

Saskatchewan – This conservative province has banned land based casino gambling in their region, and has indicated that they will not be allowing online gambling within the province. The good news is that residents of the Saskatchewan province are welcome at a number of legally sanctioned offshore betting sites.