Is online casino legal in canada
New casino sites to play real money
Legal canadian casinos were not a thing between 1892 and 1669. It was not legal to engage in any form of gambling then, asides from charity lotteries, raffles, and horse racing. But, this changed in 1969 when the federal government made the decision to provide all q0 provinces with the capacity to carry out lotteries of their own. This was because it looked like a great means of funding numerous local projects. Still, the first legal online casino in canada was launched in 2012. This site provided both table games and slots to individuals who resided in british columbia. However, people who were not residing in this state were not allowed to play in this casino.
Legal online casinos in canada
When it comes to online gambling, one significant questions in the lips of players in canada is: “are online casinos legal in canada?” this is a valid question, but it mostly has to do with where you are situated in the world. However, they are legal in a range of countries.
The legality of a specific online casino is dependent majorly on its licensing, individual operations, and overall obedience to the rules and standards guiding online casinos in the area it is located.
The USA, for instance, does not support online casinos in most of its cities. However, many states have begun to make different kinds of gambling. This mode of operation was a little different in great britain. This is because online casinos were deemed legal and allowed to carry out their full operations. However, they were required to follow the laws of the state, pay taxes, and were regulated by external bodies.
When it involves gambling in canada, there is a lot of grey areas as regards how legal it is. This is to be expected due to the various regulations around the globe involving online gambling.
Is online gambling legal in canada?
Legal canadian casinos were not a thing between 1892 and 1669. It was not legal to engage in any form of gambling then, asides from charity lotteries, raffles, and horse racing. But, this changed in 1969 when the federal government made the decision to provide all q0 provinces with the capacity to carry out lotteries of their own. This was because it looked like a great means of funding numerous local projects.
Also, in 1985, the federal government gave all the provinces the authority to control their own gambling laws. However, the criminal code remained the same, and this made it even more confusing. The reason was that the canadian criminal code stated that it was not legal to operate a gambling house or be found in one.
Still, the first legal online casino in canada was launched in 2012. This site provided both table games and slots to individuals who resided in british columbia. However, people who were not residing in this state were not allowed to play in this casino.
Are there really such things as legal canadian online casinos?
Even though gambling in canada comes with a lot of grey areas, there are still legit online casino canada. The laws guiding playing online are quite few and allow players to engage in numerous kinds of online gambling.
It is not against the law for anyone in canada to play in an online casino, so you will never be on the wrong side of the law for doing so. However, the hosting of an online casino in canada may be illegal, and that is why many legal casino platforms choose to host it offshore. In essence, online gambling in canada is legal.
Finding a legal canadian online casino
When in search of an excellent legal online casino in canada to play, there are an array of factors you have to put into consideration.
- For one, you have to ensure the casino is known to be reliable in its operation.
- Also, you have to choose a casino that is known to be fair in its payout.
- The casino should be registered and licensed with the right authorities and should have the proper license to operate in the city you are trying to play.
The tendency to find a fraudulent site is far higher than getting in trouble with the law for playing on an illegal platform. Any of the casinos we have listed in this article are legal casinos you can play in, which are certain to offer you the best results.
Check out the reputation of the casino
As we stated earlier on, you need to be sure of the reputation of the casino you want to play. A great way to do this is to check out the reviews from other users. This way, you will learn from the experiences they have had. You will also find out if the casino is safe, legal, and fun to play in.
There are known casinos that are already known to be secure to play. This is because they have already spent years building their reputation. However, if you want to play in a casino that is not yet so known, you may need to make some further findings.
Any online casino that is run by a publicly-traded organization, which shows auditing certificates and its gaming licenses boldly on its website is usually known to be legal and reputable. You can also run a quick search on google to find out more about the casino you want to go with. If there is anything to note, it will certainly show up there.
Are players from my country allowed in the legal canada online casino?
The laws guiding gambling are not the same in all locations. There are online casinos in canada which will be legal in a specific country while it will be illegal in another. Before you choose a casino to play, you need to make sure players from your country are supported. You may not face any issues with the law as regards gaming in the casino; however, if the authorities in your country find out the site is operating in its area, they could shut it down, making it inaccessible to you. This way, you may lose your account and all of the funds you have worked so hard to earn.
To prevent this from happening to you, and ensure you and your earnings are safe at all times, it is crucial to gambling on a platform that is legal.
Is online gambling legal in canada?
Betting and playing in casinos for real money are some of the most popular entertainment activities on the territory of canada. Local gambling laws, however, are considered a bit complicated, just like the situation with other parts of the world.
Up to date, several forms of land-based gambling activities have been legalized by the country's government. The same applies to a few forms of internet gambling. Still, some laws related to casino and gaming services provided by companies based overseas are yet unclear.
Top rated online casinos for canada
The situation looks even more complex when it comes to internet gambling. Companies are actually not allowed to operate any online casinos and poker rooms in canada, but here is the paradox – most offshore gaming servers are located on the kahnawake native reserve, which is still on the territory of the country. Also, some of the most trusted offshore companies licensed by malta gambling authority and UK gambling commission support online casinos in canada.
From a player's point of view, it is actually not illegal to play at an online casino. In fact, it is only illegal to operate a web-based casino from canada. The offshore websites, whose servers are located on the native reserve of kahnawake come to prove this. So, even with the laws saying that players are not allowed to be found in an illegal betting house, the rules stay murky and not very clear.
Still, even under the present situation, the country remains an attractive gaming environment for its residents and is also considered as relatively safe for them to enjoy online casino games.
Gambling laws in canada
The casino and gaming industry in the country has a complex history. As in many other countries around the world, it was first legal, but certain pieces of legislation proclaimed it out of law in 1892. With the time going, the law became more and more relaxed.
After the 1900s, bingo and casual raffles were allowed for charitable events only, and a decade later, horse races were legalized. The great breakthrough came in 1985 when gaming machines were made legal. Several years later, casinos started to appear on the territory of the country, as gambling operations started to become more and more popular among local players.
Canadian criminal code
The criminal code of canada is the bill that sets a definition of the illegal gaming activities within the country's borders. Up to date, the provinces are able to operate, regulate and grant licenses to certain casinos, including web-based ones.
Generally speaking, the criminal code of the country defines gambling and conducting any gaming activities in canada as illegal, unless these activities are included in specific exceptions pointed in the code itself.
The provisions that prohibit gaming operations on the territory of the country can be found in part VII of the code. Some exceptions can be found in section 207. The situation, however, is a bit more complex, as provincial governments are provided with the right of organize and control lotteries, as well as some games of chance that are operated on or through a computer (online gambling). According to the current canadian legislation, such websites are to be operated by the provincial governments themselves.
The kahnawake gaming commission
The kahnawake gaming commission is a special gaming regulatory body that is entitled with the right and responsibility to issue licences and regulate several web-based casinos, as well as online poker rooms and sportsbook websites. A total of three land-based poker rooms situated within the mohawk territory of kahnawake in quebec are also put under the control of the gaming commission.
In order to receive a license from the kahnawake gaming commission, casinos are required to meet certain criteria. This online legislation model as a whole has come as a result of the government's efforts to make the environment favorable for kahnawake internet gambling. This is exactly the reason why the legislation model that provides certain provinces with the right to monitor, control and regulate the gambling industry within their borders is believed to be suitable for canada.
The gaming commission is the organization that bears the responsibility for monitoring the compliance of the gambling legislation within the mohawk territory of kahnawake in quebec. It is also the organization that also takes care of granting online poker and casino providers, as well as the sportsbook gaming providers with valid licenses.
The principles of work of the commission include fair gaming, payouts guarantee, as well as a geographical reference. Currently, the commission issues four types of licenses under the regulations that correspond to interactive gaming of september 22nd, 2010.
Online gambling in canada
Nowadays, almost every form of gambling has been legalized on the territory of canada. However, online gambling is considered as a trickier situation, as the country's government does not grant local companies with license to operate internet casinos.
Web-based casino and gaming operations have always been considered as a grey area in canadian law. The country was a fierce opponent to gambling until the 1960s, but then the government granted provinces with the right to make decisions whether to allow gambling or poker activities within their borders. This is when some provinces began holding lotteries and some casinos were constructed in the country.
Up to date, according to the criminal code of the country, hosting a gambling website on the territory of canada is defined as illegal. However, every province has the permission to legalize specific types of gambling that may be “operated on or through a computer” within their borders. This is what actually is considered as opening the door for each canadian province to decide on the matter of legalizing online gambling operation within its own confines.
The situation is considered even more complex due to the fact that there is a section of the criminal code of canada that specifically points out that it is only the government of the country and its provinces that may operate any form of gambling.
There is one exception of this rule – the kahnawake mohawk nation has received permission to provide its own casino website to players. This operation was strongly opposed by the country's attorney general, who described it as illegal under the canadian gambling laws. However, no actions against the kahnawake mohawk nation have been undertaken, including shutting the casino down.
Money transactions at legal online casinos
A large part of legal canadian online casino websites are based actually outside the country. This makes it difficult for some players to complete their payments.
For example, visa that is probably the most-used credit card option is not accepted at every canadian casino website. On the other hand, there may be some restrictions imposed. For example, players may be required to set up an account with a third-party money transfer website. Players also need to comply with the fact that there are some online casinos that prefer wire transfers, while others require the payments to be made through a list of accepted payment methods.
Deposit methods
Here are the two most common deposit methods used for making online casino deposits in canada.
Citadel
Citadel is one of the legally permitted payment methods used for making deposits in online casinos in canada. It offers a specialized internet-based payment method service that guarantees that every money transaction is processed a safe and secure manner.
Citadel commerce also provides its customers with an electronic internet check that offers them the chance to transfer money in a reliable, inexpensive, easy and absolutely safe way. Such transactions can be executed from any computer or mobile device that has access to the internet.
Probably one of the best reasons why citadel is among the most-preferred online casino payment methods is the fact that using it is not associated to using a credit card and revealing any personal or banking details to third parties. All that online casino players are required to have in order to use citadel is a valid bank account. Once they have entered the information needed when creating a citadel account, they are not requested to fill in any personal details.
In addition, all information filled in by the player when registering an account is protected thanks to an encryption technology that is normally used by financial institutions all over the world. This encryption technology guarantees a 100% safe and secure environment for money transfers.
Another advantage of the citadel payment method is the fact that the system is very quick. Most transactions are processed and finalized within 72 business hours.
Being on of the most widespread payment methods in contemporary everyday life, visa has also managed to become a leading online casino deposit method.
Up to date, the major bank institutions in canada issue visa debit, credit and prepaid cards to their customers. The fact that visa products are accepted in more than 150 countries basically means that owners of the card are provided with the opportunity to use it not only when making purchases in real brick-and-mortar stores, but also on the internet.
There are different types of visa cards that are suitable for all kinds of customers. The most-used types of visa cards when it comes to making a deposit in an online casino account are the credit cards. All players need to do is visit the deposit section of the casino website and fill in the fields required.
If the money transaction is approved, the player is allowed to start playing instantly.
Mastercard
Mastercard is another brand, which is known for its reliability, products diversity and high level of security provided to customers. The fact that the products of mastercard ad accepted all over the world makes them one of the most-preferred ones when it comes to making purchases online and offline.
The brand provides a variety of debit, credit and prepaid cards, which can be used for making deposits in online casinos. However, there is one major difference between visa and mastercard products – while visa allows players to make a withdrawal of their casino winnings, mastercard does not provide such an option.
As a matter of fact, the prepaid cards offered by the brand are some of the most preferred and used deposit methods when it comes to online casinos.
Many online casino players consider these cards as the best solution for making deposits in their casino accounts, because of the fact that each prepaid card has a limit, which cannot be surpassed. Of course, prepaid cards are reloadable, and some of them have expiration dates.
Instadebit
Instadebit is probably the most-used online casino deposit method in canada. It has become so popular thanks to a number of reasons.
For instance, when using instadebit, players are allowed to deposit money and withdraw winnings instantly to and from their online casino accounts. This is a great advantage of the method because most payment options require too much paperwork or take too much time until the transactions are processed.
All this makes instadebit a fast and easy to use payment method when depositing funds to an online casino is concerned. In addition, the payment system provided by the brand is secure enough in order to guarantee players maximum satisfaction.
Canadian players are allowed to register an account with instadebit in case that they are already customers of the following local bank institutions: TD, BMO, RBC, scotiabank, as well as to some other credit unions.
Paysafecard
Paysafecard is another payment method that is commonly used by canadian citizens when making online casino deposits. The brand offers a regular plastic pre-paid card that can be used for all kinds of online and offline purchases.
One of its major advantages is the fact that customers do not have to reveal any personal or bank account information. Depending on the customers' location, paysafecard can also be found as an electronic voucher, which is also fast and easy to work with. No bank account number is required to be filled in when making payments or online casino deposits with the system.
The prepaid card offered by paysafecard is a reloadable, multi-use one. The PIN code provided to customers at the time of the card's purchase remains the same no matter how many times the card is being reloaded. Making a money deposit in an internet casino does not differ in any way from a regular online purchase.
All the players need to do is choose paysafecard as the desired depositing method and fill in the information required by the casino.
Interac
Online casino players from canada are quite inclined to this payment method, considering it has upheld its reputation as the national debit payment processing system for nearly half a century.
The company functions as a direct payment processor, facilitating transactions between bank accounts. All you need to do as a precondition is hold an account with one of the 250+ partnering banks and credit unions, including major names such as scotiabank, BMO bank of montreal, canadian western bank, union bay credit union and many more.
Among the processing products on offer…
…interac e-transfer is currently the method of choice, allowing players to deposit and withdraw from their casino accounts with minimum fees. Simply access your existing online banking portal, select e-transfer and complete the payment.
Security is a priority with this service, which is why payments are processed upon authorization with a security question. Still, this does not cause any lag time and still manages to get players’ funds to the desired destination in no time.
Idebit
Idebit originated and expanded the idea of instadebit, providing its services across 20+ countries globally. Users of the service can process payments to and from merchants by turning to its direct online banking option, or alternatively, its inherent e-wallet service.
The former allows idebit users to transact straight from their online banking service, simply specifying the recipient bank number and the amount. As for the latter, you will first need to register for an e-wallet account and fund it through regular online banking.
Security is a non-compromising priority, as well as speed and fee-free service, available with the latter option. Just make sure you hold an account from the partnering financial institutions, including bank of montreal, scotiabank, royal bank of canada, TD canada trust, and get started.
Online casinos in canada
Canada is the country of the maple syrup and ice hockey, and today, we review a little-suspected proclivity among canadian – their love for online gambling. If you have tried playing at some of the best online casinos in canada, you will have immediately noticed that the residents of the north are fond of a variety of games and they quite equally engage in the card, table, and even dice games.
We will examine the makings of a sterling host of operators and see what establishes them as market leaders. Conversely, we will also undo the self-styled fraudsters. Here we go!
How to play at canadian online casinos
If you enjoy online casinos in general, you will be quite keen on canadian venues. They are the benchmark against which all other purveyors of all things related to chance & profit are gauged. You will be immediately tempted into action by how accessible the whole offer is. Let’s see how you can play.
- The no-download option – dive straight into the action on any devices of your choice by simply accessing the online casino via your web browser. Yes, the top venues of recreational and professional online gaming in canada will cater to all your needs without the need for any software download. The best software developers are at play here, competing to bring you the most immersive experience possible.
- Let’s download for better graphics – without a speck of doubt, you will immediately notice that the downloadable version offers slightly better treats. If you are not in it for the pure gaming value, but normally appreciate having enhanced graphics and a subtly better audio, you may feel more comfortable downloading.
Ultimately, an online casino in canada will strive to provide you with the same experience regardless of the version you choose for yourself. Explore the options well and remember that nothing stops you from alternating them freely.
Best real money online casino to join
Ultimately, it always boils down to picking the most reputable operator. It may come as a rather demanding task, but one that pays off immensely. Having decided to open your account at a reputable gaming operator(s) is crucial. In conducting our reviews, we rely on a comprehensive vetting process that checks everything from regulatory bugbears and compliance to more common things, such as the variety of games and available devices to play on.
We will pay attention to several things in particular, as we consider them rather essential to identifying the top brass:
- Regulatory compliance – without a doubt, our top condition prior to committing any given sum of money;
- Welcome bonuses – we care whether those bonuses come with clear conditions from the onset and whether they can lead to sustainable profit;
- Security – an aspect of every operation that cannot be overlooked lightly. When you play for real money, you want to know that your personal and gaming data remain safe;
- Customer support – establishing a clear channel of communication is of equal importance. If things go the wrong way, you want to know that you can rely on a quick response from the operator.
We strive to review each and every one of those parts separately. Next, we move onto the fun parts, such as the selection and variety of games. We audit and check if those offer a decent return to player rates and test the casino from a number of devices.
For instance, it is important that an online casino in canada is mobile friendly. More, it would be a great help if an android and ios apps can be accessed through the website, boosting the comfort of the gamer.
Lastly, when it comes to security, we will check whether the website is whitelisted. You may want to keep your eye open for the green padlock in your browser’s URL that guarantees your information has been secured using the SSL standard.
Top 5 online canadian games
Yes, canadians mean business. Their local operators come with quite the exhaustive trove of options and they all seem quite the worthy choices. You will find an overwhelming variety and one that you ought to fully give in to instead of demurely avoid.
We personally like the slots. They are casual, leisurely, and allow you to score the occasional big win. However, they may not be exactly designed for you to win, and as much as you may like a cartoony character slogging through the jungle of south america, for example, you may want to reconsider your choice of game. If you are truly lucky, the online slots, paired with a brilliant starter’s bonus, can turn into a quick hit-and-run win.
There are many iterations of cards you can play. If you fancy the slow-paced, cunning action that is poker, you will find quite a few options, including the live dealer games. But why restrict yourself to a single title? Playing with real money in an online casino in canada can be quite rewarding, and you can swap between titles of various stature. Baccarat is another classic example of a lasting gaming title.
And if that does not satisfy your gaming needs, then do consider blackjack, everyone’s favorite after all.
Canada’s favorite games
Canadians like to balance between well-considerate play and the occasional foray into the unknown. You will see most of your compatriots hit the online slots while happily planning their next stratagem in a game that implies actual tactics. Based on skill and prescience, table & card games are your go-to options in canada if you are looking to boost your profits.
Conversely, you can always & happily palaver with fellow gamers while engaged in the latest online slot action and not giving it another thought. Those titles can, in fact, be quite riveting. Steeped in history and popular culture, you can enjoy a number of tales, myths and famous movie characters.
Who forges the games?
Real money online casinos in canada make use of a number of established companies that hammer hard at the anvil of creativity to bring you the latest well-balanced title. Everyone can appreciate the treats on offer by netent and microgaming. If you love cards, then you should definitely check out microgaming’s seductive playboy-themed live hostesses. Still, don’t let frills distract you and focus on your game.
Tips and bonuses for canadian players
Bonuses. Yes, we are huge fans of those. Make sure that whatever you opt for, you read the wagering requirements carefully and consider whether the task there is feasible and worth undertaking in the first place. And now, let’s check out a few special treats!
- Welcome bonus (as part of a package or standalone) – all operators that offer real money games will always have you covered with an initial bonus. That’s fine and definitely worth looking into!
- No deposit treats – every now and then an operator gives you a free bonus that does not require you to do anything on your part. The casino just reward you it as a quick token of gratitude.
- Get your local specials – if you are part of a loyalty program, you may tap into a handful of extra options that may otherwise be off the table.
- Reload bonuses – if you get to add more money to your account, you could be eligible for the reload bonus.
Canadian laws on online gaming
So canada does not exactly adhere to gambling as a country, but popular support is quite sufficient to allow for offshore operators to gladly take canadians onboard. Yes, the best online casinos in canada are not precisely canadian, to begin with, but they excessively cater to the local climate.
In essence, the criminal code of canada prohibits gambling. Don’t worry, though. While it is illegal to run a gambling den, whether online or offline or be found in one, wagering at an offshore operator is unlikely to hurt you. Canadians are gambling openly, and they have never been in hot water with the authorities.
If you want to enjoy yourself locally, you may do so in british columbia, which is running a virtual poker room to cater age-appropriate gamblers. Otherwise, you will be quite happy to continue dabbling with those heavens known as the offshore industry. It’s still worth making sure that they are licensed.
Most companies that take canadian chance-takers have been licensed by kahnawake – one of the legal jurisdiction that allows operators to carry out gambling transactions.
What’s next on the legal landscape?
We will argue that canada assumes the same relaxed approach towards its gambling industry as it does towards many other areas. As long as the operators are not seedy characters swindling people out of money, the government is not particularly hot on chasing down offshore ghosts, especially when the brick-and-mortar gaming business is on an upswing, and advertisement revenue is generated with the help of the online counterparts.
Finding an authentic gambling den is not at all difficult, although it is very likely to be classified as an outer-land jurisdiction to avoid entanglement with the government. It’s most certainly an apt move by those who wish to operate online casinos for players in canada. And for us gamers, it really does not matter as long as no foul play is afoot.
Sites to avoid
You may think that all casinos are safe to play in, but the truth of the matter is, it isn’t. There are most certainly some shady operators out there, ones that you should avoid at all cost. However, there’s no need for you to be worried, as long as you avoid these specific ones that we’ve blacklisted. With our experience, we can spot a dishonest site from a mile away.
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Gambling responsibly and reasonably with moderation. Gambling should never be considered as a way of earning money and as such you should always only play with money you are prepared to lose in the process of an activity that is fundamentally built on risking your money for the purpose of entertainment. Please learn more about responsible gambling if you have concern for yourself or another, or simply want to educate yourself further on the risks and precautions when it comes to gambling.
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Legal online casino sites in canada
To make that process as simply as is possible each of the canadian player friendly casino site that you will find listed upon our website have all been issued with a gambling license!
BEST CASINO SITES
| rank | casino | bonus | compatible | play now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 200% on first deposit welcome bonus | review | ||
| 2 | $998 total bonus welcome bonus | review | ||
| 3 | 50% up to $333 welcome bonus | review | ||
| 4 | 250% slot bonus welcome bonus | review | ||
| 5 | 100% up to $3000 welcome bonus | review | ||
| 6 | 1000% up to $4000 welcome bonus | review |
We only display the latest casino bonuses that have been verified by our expert reviewers.
By playing only at fully licensed casino sites in canada then you are going to find that each and every single one of the games you will be playing are completely fair and random games and that will ensure your chance of winning on any real money casino game playing session you have will see you having a reasonable chance of winning!
What does canadian law say about online casino gambling?
Gambling at casinos, both online and offline, is generally considered to be a legal activity to involve yourself in. However, it generally depends upon the province that you’re located in as to the specific laws surrounding such. That being said, just about all canadian provinces allow residents to participate freely in online gambling of one sort of another.
On the other hand, it is illegal to offer gambling services to canadians if your company is not licensed within the province that it is available in. However, you won’t find that players are prosecuted for accessing such online sites, because the government doesn’t really have much control over external platforms.
Traditionally, casino gambling is governed by the laws that each province introduces, and it states that as long as a platform has a licence from one of the 10 provinces in canada, it is a legal site. As things stand at the moment, all provinces except from saskatchewan have set up legal online casino gambling sites. Additionally, foreign-based platforms can also apply for canadian licences to provide residents of the country with their gaming services, too.
Granted, the canadian provinces don’t really issue licences to external companies, and while it is technically illegal for such sites to go on providing their services to residents without possessing such, nobody has been prosecuted for this to date.
How we recommend online canadian casino sites
It’s true that if you go to a search engine and look for online canadian casinos, the likelihood is that you will receive a mass of results from that. Seeing so many possibilities will definitely be quite exhilarating initially, but you should also know that not all of these platforms will be genuine and fair. That’s why it’s a better option to navigate to one of the casinos that we recommend, because we review them in full for you. This way, you know exactly what’s being offered and how trustworthy a site actually is.
There are certain features of online casinos that we watch out for, and certain factors that we specifically need for them to meet our requirements as one of the best for canadian gamers. The primary feature that an online casino needs to have is an official and valid gambling licence from at least one jurisdiction. We will never recommend an online casino that is unlicensed because we can’t guarantee how they will operate now or in the future. Rules must be in place for a casino to adhere to in order for it to continue providing you with fair gaming and security. Without a licence, a casino is free to do exactly what it wants, when it wants. That’s never a good thing, so you’ll always find that our recommendations are licensed.
We also look for the companies that cater to canadian players on a bit more of a direct level. By this, we mean not only do they accept registrations from canada, but also allow deposits and gameplay in canadian dollars. Or potentially they have a customer service team based within canada.
Additionally, there are some specific payment methods that relate directly to canada, such as interac online, idebit and so on. These provide players from within with a more welcoming and personal gaming experience, so we will always seek out those sites with such payment methods on offer. And speaking of which, the withdrawal process must be a smooth one, too. Nobody wants to be waiting around for days on end to receive their winnings back. This is why the platforms that you will find on our recommended list have the best depositing and withdrawing options and operate suitable payment processing time-frames.
For us, online casinos also need to provide their players with suitable promotions and special offers. Regardless of whether or not you choose to take such, it’s still relevant for a platform to provide the possibility of it. Welcome bonuses, free spins, VIP schemes, cash back options and more should all be present and available in one form or another. As you’ll see from the list of the best canadian casino sites that we have put together, all of our recommendations come with intriguing and rewarding offers. This way, you can sign up to one, start depositing and receive perks on top to benefit you.
Why you should visit and join a licensed and regulated casino
A gambling licence isn’t just there for show and tell purposes. It actually provides an online casino with a sort of legal backbone. It also provides you, the player, with a sort of guarantee – basically it determines that an online gambling site will operate fairly and cater to you as its primary function. It also dictates that your security and all of your personal data is kept safe and secure.
Of course, that’s just a couple of the reasons why you should only be considering joining a licensed casino rather than an unlicensed one. Here are a few other reasons why this is the best course of action to take:
- An operator that has applied for and obtained a gambling licence has done so with the knowledge that they have to pay a certain amount for the certificate and must adhere to certain rules. A scam site would never do this, and so if a platform holds a licence, it provides you with the information that it intends to provide a fair and trustworthy service.
- The regulations that come with a gambling licence ensure that the casino you’re playing at is providing a secure experience. This way, your deposited money is safe and kept apart from the business funds, while your own personal data is kept away from any third parties.
- The more gambling licences that an online casino possesses, the better. This adds extra strength to the security of the operator’s platform, whilst also telling you that the casino has met with multiple different criteria to obtain such.
Things to consider when choosing A online casino
One thing you should be aware of however when selecting any real money and legal online casino site at which to play in if you are living or residing in canada is that you will want those sites to allow you to have the option of setting your casino account to use canadian dollars as the base currency setting of your account.
If you choose to play at a site that forced you or insists that you have to play in another currency then you are going to end up paying currency exchange rate fees when you deposit and also when you withdraw any and all winnings and this will cost you quite a bit of money the more you play!
All of the sites listed on this website will of course give you lot of different currency options and each of them will also offer you an around the clock customer support service should you have any questions or need any help with their games or banking interfaces.
The range of casino game you are going to be able to access and play at all of our featured and top rated canadian player friendly and fully licensed online casino sites is enormous.
Plus not only with there be plenty of your favourite casino game so play but there will always be lots of brand new casino games that you will have never seen or played before, so a fun and entertaining and possibly profitable gaming experience will be had when you sign up to any of the casinos you find showcased and fully reviewed on our website!
Frequently asked questions
If you have made the decision that you would like to play at some of the many different casinos available online to canadian citizens and residents then here are some of the most commonly asked questions about doing so and the related answers to those questions.
Are all online casinos fully licensed?
One thing that you do need to be aware of if you are a canada resident or citizen and you want to play at an online casino site is that not every site you will come across online holds a full or recognized gambling license.
To make choosing a fully licensed and regulated casino site easy we have listed a range of such sites and fully reviewed each of them within this website so take a look around as you will find plenty of them are available to you no matter where you live in canada.
What is the legal age to gamble at an online casino?
If you wish to gamble at a land based venue in canada then you will find it is which province you are in that will determine whether you are old enough to legally do so. The minimum age in many canadian provinces is 18, however there are some provinces in which the legal minimum age to gamble is 19.
Playing at an online gambling site will see you subject to the rules in place at each site you play at and as such check the website of the gambling site for details of the minimum legal age that you have to be to gamble at those sites.
What casino is fully legal for canadian players?
If you want to play 100% legal casino games online then we have several casino sites to introduce you to, however one of the best rated ones that always welcomes all canada based players is the loco panda casino site and they have a very wide range of different legal casino games you can play.
Loco panda casino has a mobile gaming platform and you can of course play their games for free or for real money via a downloadable or instant play gaming platform. Plus all new players will be able to claim a huge sign up bonus as a first time players!
Resources
You will be able to play perfectly legally at any of our rated casino sites all of which are fully licensed and all of them do of course accept and allow canadian players to play at their respective sites, below are some extra resources we have compiled to allow you o find a venues that suits you perfectly!
Best canadian casino bonuses – if you want to maximize your bankroll, which is something every canada based online gambler should be looking to do then our guide to the best canadian casino bonuses sis where you should be heading next!
No download canadian online casinos – you will get a fun casino game playing experience no matter what type of gaming platform you choose to use, but for instant playing games then it will be the no download canadian casino sites you should be playing at.
No deposit canadian online casino bonuses – there are some bonuses available to canada based players that are known as no deposit required bonuses and they are going to be available to you when you simply sign up to some of our featured casino sites!
Real money canadian casino sites – one final guide that is always going to be worth checking out is our guide introducing you to the very best real money casino sites that are offered to everyone in canada, the casino listed in that guide are the cream of the crop and will always give you a first class online gambling experience whenever you play at their respective sites.
Legal status of online gambling
Let’s clarify the legal status of online gambling in canada to put any potential punters at ease.
Five key points you need to know!
1) canadians are not at any legal risk by playing at an online casino site, whether they play for fun or as a part-time job
2) no canadian citizen has ever been prosecuted for playing at an online gaming site (casino, poker or sportsbook)
3) it is illegal to operate an online casino without a license if based within canada, all our recommended casino sites though are located offshore
4) any winnings from your gaming activities are not taxable unless your gaming activities are seen as a form of employment based upon skill, frequency and expectation of payout – for gamers playing for fun at an online casino, winnings won’t be taxable
5) the criminal code of canada is the official codification of criminal acts and procedures; it does not explicitly criminalize playing at an online casino site
Top 3 legal online casinos
More useful info
Canada vs U.S: it is clearly illegal in canadian law to operate an online casino/gaming site from within canada (i.E. Legally formalized there, playing servers located there) without a license. However within the criminal code of canada there are no laws that explicitly address offshore gaming sites.
This is the key distinction between the U.S and canada. In the U.S offshore online casinos are targeted by the unlawful internet gambling enforcement act of 2006, which prohibited banks and other payment processors from conducting transactions with offshore gaming sites. In order to stay on the right side of the U.S authorities following passage of the act, virtually all reputable gaming sites withdrew from the U.S no longer accepting players based in the united states.
In canada there are no specific laws targeting gaming sites/companies located offshore, this is why most of them are happy to continue accepting canadian players. To characterize the different legal situation appertaining to the countries – canada can be considered to be a ‘grey’ market where the playing at online gaming sites is neither explicitly legalized or outlawed, whilst the U.S (at least prior to recent developments in the states of new jersey, delaware and nevada) is a ‘black’ market. In distinction to both, an example of a ‘white market’ would be the U.K where online gaming has been explicitly legalized.
Regulators and gaming authorities: the reformed criminal code of 1970 opened up gambling by allowing the individual provinces within canada to regulate and license gambling in their regions. This led to the development of a number of land-based casinos as well as lotteries run by the provincial gaming authorities.
The provincial gaming authorities:
ontario – ontario lottery and gaming corporation
alberta – alberta gaming and liquor commission
british columbia – BCLC
manitoba – liquor and gaming commission of manitoba
saskatchewan – saskatchewan liquor and gaming authority
new brunswick – new brunswick gaming control
nova scotia – alcohol, gaming, fuel and tobacco division service of nova scotia
quebec – loto quebec
new foundland – service NL
prince edward island – prince edward island lotteries commission
It’s important to note that many of these gaming authorities run their own gaming portals often featuring casino games. Being of a poorer quality though with regards to game selection, quality and bonus/promotions than offshore sites we don’t recommend them
Kahnawake commission: the kahnawake commission is an interesting anomaly. Located in quebec the mohawk territory of kahnawake saw the potential of online gaming in 1996, subsequently setting up the kahnawake gaming commission of that year. As an indian reservation and thus a sovereign legal entity, the mohawk commission is not bound by canadian law and thus has the jurisdictional right to license and regulate offshore online gaming sites.
Initially, the kahnawake commission was a popular licensing authority with many of the older microgaming brands licensed there. Over recent years though it has fallen out of favour somewhat with many e-gaming companies/sites preferring to be licensed by the gaming authorities in malta or gibraltar.
For more information on the gaming authorities which license our recommended casinos see this article.
Future legal developments
What future legal developments can we expect with regards to online gambling in canada?
Essentially no one really knows, and it seems that all involved parties are holding a ‘wait and see’ attitude. The government has currently shown no inclination to tighten the law and explicitly stop canadian citizens from playing at ‘offshore’ sites despite the loss of tax revenues. Similarly, a U.K style fully legalized ‘white market’, where offshore sites operate on the same legal basis as the sites run by the provincial gaming authorities also looks unlikely, not least because the provincial gaming authority sites would lose out even more to their superior ‘offshore’ gaming sites.
With the canadian government focusing on other threats and legislative areas, it seems the best bet is a continuation of the status quo one where canadian gamers are free to continue playing at a great selection of international casino sites.
If you’re now ready to start choosing a casino head to our casino reviews page which lists all our recommended and reputable sites, while viewing our dishonest casino list to find which ones to avoid.
*disclaimer – this article should not be considered legal advice.
Legal options for the yukon gold casino online in canada
The world of casino games in canada is extremely large, there are a huge variety of ways you can bet without leaving home. Today, you can invite your friends and enjoy an afternoon of gaming in the comfort of your home, without spending on expensive trips and casino hotels. And to help you in this endeavor, we searched the internet for the best sites that offer online casino games. Many offer the best conditions for you to have a safe and profitable bet. When it comes to the question is yukon gold casino legal in canada, then the answer is yes. But it does not end there. When it comes to the yukon gold casino canada then you can have the best options now.
How to find the best online casino games?
When searching about online casino games you will surely find several platforms, with different modalities, with the most different promotions. So it is common to have questions about where to bet, more than that, where to bet safely. And for that it is important to pay attention to some aspects when choosing the right game for you.
• opt for sites with a wide variety.
• keep an eye on the casino bonuses offered.
• see if the platform is organized, if it has a responsive site (adapted for mobile).
• see reviews made about the site.
• observe if the payment methods are safe and if the winnings advantages in the games are profitable.
• keeping an eye on these tips, and looking for your favorite games at every online betting house you will find the betting site that best fits what you are looking for.
Yukon gold casino canada games online: where to play
• the site you bet on can depend a lot on the type of online game you are looking for. Some offer multiple modalities in one place, others prefer to specialize to provide a better experience.
• below we will separate some online gaming modalities and suggest the best online betting sites, many of them are even in english.
Online poker games
Online poker is one of the most sought after online casino games, so it is easy to find platforms that are dedicated to it. In the yukon gold casino online this is of the best option now.
Among some of them we have:
Each has unique advantages and prizes, as well as special online poker tournaments that offer incredible prizes to the winners.
Online roulette games
Online roulette is one of the darlings of gamblers, easy to play and even easier to win, one of the greatest casino classics is number one on many people’s list.
And with that in mind, many online gambling sites have specialized, offering unique casino bonuses and very good offers to online roulette gamblers.
Online casino games
Who doesn’t like the excitement of a good slot machine right? This vegas casino classic came to rest on your computer screen as well.
Online casino roulette tips are always welcome. Roulette is most played in online casinos. It is not that roulette is not played in regular casinos, but most players choose to play roulette in an online casino. Online casino roulette tips can help you play roulette in an online casino.
Everything helps
Everything that can help you play roulette is of course included. You can ignore the online casino roulette tips but why would you? Online casino roulette tips are often given by players themselves. So you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Then use the online casino roulette tips that players share with you.
Online casino roulette tips
There are many online casino roulette tips that players have put together over the years. One of the online casino roulette tips that is always given is to play with a roulette strategy. But which roulette strategy is the best? And which roulette strategy suits you as a player?
Yukon gold casino online canada why different
Every player is different and what works for one player does not necessarily apply to every player. Sometimes a certain roulette strategy just doesn’t feel right. Fortunately, there are several roulette strategies. The great thing about playing roulette in an online casino is that you can try it all for free. That too is one of the online casino roulette tips.
Play for free
Playing free roulette is only possible if you play roulette in an online casino. There are no other options. Because there are more roulette systems, it is advisable to try them out first. And preferably so that it does not cost you a cent. Online casinos offer you that possibility so try that first.
Is online gambling legal in canada
I’ve searched the internet far and wide to find the answer to this question. Some say yes, others say no, but what I got out of it all was the fact that it is only legal to gamble at places licensed by the canadian government. Technically this would make it not legal to gamble online in canada, unless of course you’re playing at the provincial casinos currently running online. There have been no laws written, as far as I know, specifically outlawing or allowing online gambling. This puts it in a “grey area” since it’s not really legal or illegal.
There is however, an old canadian law that states that it is unlawful to be found in a “common betting house”, which some think could be used against someone who is gambling online, but nobody playing in canada has ever been prosecuted. Even in the US, in the states with laws against it, it is very rare for an individual to be charged. In one of those rare cases that I found, a person had to pay a $500 fine for a $100,000 online poker win (and since he’s in the US, probably a much larger sum for taxes). Authorities in the US have been targeting the banks and companies that process online gambling transactions for US players, rather than going after individuals.
The attitude here in canada is much more relaxed. It appears that the provinces are going with the flow and opening their own online casinos to compete in the current market rather than fight. There was one company charged for running an online casino in canada, back in 2001, but that’s the only case I could find that had anything to do with online gambling.
One interesting fact that not many people may know, is that there are many online casinos that are already licensed and regulated in canada by the kahnawake gaming commission (est. 1996) in quebec. The kahnawake gaming commission has been licensing and regulating online gaming since july 8, 1999 – longer than almost any other jurisdiction in the world. One of their rules for being licensed by them, is that the online casino must be located on kahnawake land, on their secure servers. There have been questions about the legality of the kahnawake gaming commission running in canada, for quite a few years now, but no action has ever been taken.
Golden tiger casino is one of the many trustworthy online casinos that are licensed by the kahnawake gaming commission.
One funny thing about the situation in the US – there are now US land-based operations, like foxwoods, launching online casinos in europe where it is perfectly legal and US players are not allowed to play there. There are still some US friendly online casinos that americans can to play at, but depositing and withdrawing is becoming difficult.
Update on the US situation for those who care… much like their stance on pot in their war on drugs, some US states are completely flipping their stance on the subject and launching their own online casinos and poker sites. So after spending millions of taxpayer dollars to combat online gambling, seizing millions of dollars from big companies like pokerstars, and stopping as many americans as possible from gambling online, they are now “allowing” US players to gamble online. How’s that for freedom eh?
Most canadian provinces are considering launching their own online casinos, and BC actually recently launched one but it is only available to residents of BC. Quebec also just launched an online poker site, again restricted to residents of quebec. Ontario has plans to open one in 2012, and new brunswick may be next.
I’ve heard of some banks questioning your transactions to and from online casinos, and some credit card companies don’t allow transactions for gambling, so I like to use an “e-wallet” like instadebit (canadian company). I’ve never had any questions arise from transactions using those.
Disclaimer: I’m not a lawyer, so do not take this as legal advice, and I do not condone illegal activities.
Legal status of online gambling in canada and taxation
History
Land-based casinos:
Prior to 1970, casino gambling in canada was illegal but amendments made to the criminal code of canada after 1970 changed that status. Eventually canadian legislation allowed various provinces and territories to self-govern the issue. While some chose not to, other territories held lotteries and open their first legitimate land-based casinos.
Online casinos:
Gambling at online casinos is not illegal in canada. Though considered by some to be a grey area, there are no federal laws nor sections of canada’s criminal code regulating, or making illegal, online gambling. The legislation regarding gambling is entirely controlled by the provincial governments. Non-provincial online casinos are not allowed to operate in canada but playing on off-shore casinos is currently safe. There have been no RCMP investigations to date on any online casino operator.
Is playing online casino illegal in canada?
It is not illegal for canadians to play casino games online. It is illegal to operate an online casino within canada, although there are areas based in native territory where it is sanctioned by law. Technically if the online casinos reside on the internet and not on canadian soil, or the servers are based in native territory, also technically not governed by canadian federal laws or provincial laws, then they, and thus you, are not breaking the law and you may enjoy online gaming, free of any criminality.
The online casinos themselves are currently not under the canadian legal jurisdiction and cannot be considered part of it unless they operate their business in canada or have a substantial connection to canada. This would have to include having contracts in canada, advertising here and specifically marketing to canadian customers. Doing only part of these requirements would not bring the operators under federal jurisdiction so online casinos are legally able to provide their gaming services to canadians.
Can you be taxed on your casino winnings in canada?
The answer is a fairly straight forward no, with the possible exception of poker players. Most lottery wins or online gaming with real money resulting in net income to the player/taxpayer is considered "windfall" under the income tax act. This also means that you are playing with after tax money and any gains on that money will not be taxed. This is fairly well know for lottery proceeds but this does extend to other games that are considered games of chance, which make up the bulk of online gaming. Even with the use of systems to increase your odds of winning, as detailed in our strategy pages for each of the casino games, this still holds. Where the issue of taxation starts to come into play has to do with specifically online poker. The canadian revenue agency (CRA) declared in 2014 that the winnings generated from online gambling can be construed as "income from all sources". There are some criteria that they list that can jeopardize online gambling's consideration of being a windfall. These include some specific aspects pertaining to the player which include whether it was "a customary source of income" and whether the player was expecting to receive similar payments (winnings) in the future. It also includes some criteria related to the game itself in such that the player may have "special knowledge" or inside information that contributes to their ability to generate a profit. The long and short of this is that you would both have to have a system and a certain amount of skill in place as well as derive a large portion of your income from gambling to be considered for taxation. Even in such cases, it is up to the taxpayer/player to decide to report the income as there have been no cases since that time that have tested the criteria as set out by the CRA. For the legal definition you can read further on the CRA website and for the specific section, search for the income tax folio S3-F9-C1.
Be cautious
Remember to always research your preferred online casino for its licensing and make sure that it legally operates within your country of residence - failure to do so may mean that you are not protected from fraud or money laundering activities.
Just be sure to consult our list of recommended canadian online casinos so that you are always sure that you are playing at safe and reputable online gambling canada destinations.
Gambling licenses
All legitimate online casinos operating from outside of canada are mainly from malta, alderney, gibraltar and curacao and are governed by their respective gaming authorities. Licences must be maintained from the authority and a series of established and transparent guidelines must be met. Gambling at online casinos outside the trusted jurisdictions or that are not signed up to a licencing authority should be avoided.
The future looks bright
Canada has, until now, been more relaxed and forward thinking than its US counterpart. Whilst more and more canadians get excited by online gaming, there is little likelihood that the legality of online casinos will change.
Legal canadian online casino sites for 2020
With there being so many online casinos available and accessible to players based in canada, and as you are not going to have any legal problems playing at a fully licensed but maybe offshore based casino sites, we have compiled the following guide that will introduce you to the finer points of playing real money casino games online.
The rapid growth pace in online gaming in canada was the focal point this year at the canadian gaming summit (CGA). The CGA is a yearly event held across different regions annually, and in 2017 it took place at the vancouver convention centre while its focus was the rapid pace of change focused on online gaming in canada.
The 2017 two-day summit organized by the CGA in union with mediaedge communication followed the same pattern as previous yearly summits, and the annual goals are to provide operators within the canadian nation's gambling industry with insight as to how the industry is advancing as well as education in contemporary technology.
Previously the canadian gaming summit was predominantly focused on lottery systems and land-based gambling, although this year the focus changed and the primary topic for 2017 is online gaming. Canadian gamblers evolve along with technology in particular since the age of internet gambling arrived.
List of casino sites accepts player from canada:
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Mediaedge's senior vice president, chuck nervick shedded some light on mobile gaming revolutions when he spoke with calvin ayre's stephanie raquel. According to his assessment, land-based casino resorts are less attractive to gambling enthusiast and more appealing as family getaways, while in contrast, it is online gaming that attracts more gamblers in canada than ever before. Nervick also shared that with so much going on in the igaming industry, that the theme of the summit had to be the rapid pace of change. The changes are not limited to traditional land-based gaming changing into online gaming but also many other industries are experiencing rapid change and include entertainment, beverages, and food.
Whilst all gambling sites that are located and based in canada need to be licensed in canada those based offshore and in different countries do not need a canada issued gambling license. However, as a player if you choose to play at any casino site you do need to ensure the site you are playing at is licensed somewhere and the licensing authority or commission that has issued an online casino with a license is a worldwide recognised one.
Have a look through all section of this legal canadian online casino sites guide, for it will allow you to make your own informed decision on where to play casino games online based on the information found upon it.
Online gambling growth in canada
It was estimated by the canadian gaming summit in 2016 that canadian players spend around $4 billion yearly on online sports betting wagering while only $500 million was wagered at provincially regulated sportsbooks in contrast. When it comes to online gambling, canadian players have always had unrestricted access to a much wider range of sports betting, casino sites, internet poker sites, bingo halls and other venues, ultimately dragging countless dollars overseas every year.
Provincial governments will have to, at some point, rationally address the online gambling issue, and one of the available options is to initiate an offshore gambling website ban, which some provincial governments have tried and failed in before. The more logical option could be to collect millions in licensing and taxes fees while players are protected at the same time.
Canadian online casino industry legality
Canada is no exception when it comes to the notoriously tricky subject of online gambling, and while technically online operators aren't legal, they are trendy. Until the 1960s, canada was considered to be an anti-gambling country, although once legal rights were granted to gambling activities within its borders, this attitude was completely reversed and soon after lotteries and land-based casinos
established.
Offshore gambling sites outside of canada based in the UK's isle of man, gibraltar, and cyprus are willing to accept players located in canada. It is not illegal to play at operators located within canada although it is illegal once the casino servers are located within canada since the landmark legal ruling relates to the native reserve of kahnawake, where several offshore operators base their casino servers. Much like its counterparts globally, the canada law enforcement seems more preoccupied with matters such as preventing drugs and terrorism instead of putting more effort into online gambling prevention.
The canadian provinces stand to profit from online gambling efforts and basically, there is currently no reason to make this a priority especially while the industry sticks to the right side of the law. So unless larger amounts of money continue to flow to offshore casino sites, it might not immediately become a priority, yet until it does, online gambling seems pretty safe in canada.
Canada might actually find itself in a better situation than the US that plans to legalize online betting and gambling. The trump election in november 2016 was a difficult period for the US as well as the legalization of marijuana in four different US states. What first looked like online gambling might just be next in line to be legalized in the US considerably changed since trump's powerful allies continue to block the legislation and if the US is going to ever legalize online gambling, it might not take place during the trump presidency. Canada finds itself in a much more stable situation when it comes to online gambling legislation, and luckily for canadians, this looks likely to continue for a while at the very least.
Online gambling in canada
The online gaming industry in canada was hugely affected in 2016 when netent, one of the leading developers of online software announced that it would no longer supply its products to online casino brands in canada. UK online gaming giant, william hill left the canadian market on the 10th of may 2016 due to regulatory reasons and informed players to withdrawal all their funds, while ladbrokes withdrew from canada two years earlier, and other online operators withdrawing from canada include paddy power in 2011 and betfair in 2015.
By the 12th of may 2017, netent announced that it secured its approval to provide casino games by canada's BCLC. At the same time, the stockholm-listed software provider confirmed that its products would be launched in british columbia since the british columbia lottery corporation and gaming policy and enforcement branch approved the developer as a licensed supplier. Thousands of canadian online players now have higher hopes that netent games might become available to all.
Frequently asked questions
You may have what may appear like an endless list of questions that you are looking or the answers to if you wish to start playing casino game online from canada for real money, and if so the following most frequently asked section of this guide will possibly answer most if not all of your questions, and allow you to make an informed decision as to whether online gambling is for you.
Online gambling: is it even legal?
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It's often called a 'legal grey area' but we take a look at how grey it really is
Online gambling is often called a "legal grey area," but does that mean canadians playing a few hands of internet poker in their living rooms should one day expect a SWAT team to crash through the door and seize their laptop?
The short answer is no. The longer answer, as might be expected, is less black and white.
Whether the issue is offshore gambling sites, file sharing, or uber , the laws of the land are still taking time to catch up to the complexities of a connected world.
In canada, gambling falls under provincial jurisdiction. That much is clear. The greyness stems from the internet, which doesn't pay attention to provincial boundaries. Thousands of offshore gaming sites are based in locales such as gibraltar, the isle of man, and cyprus, where gambling rules are wide open and governments welcome the tax revenue.
I don't think [the law] is grey.
As for the legal status of these offshore operators in canada, michael lipton, a lawyer and gaming law expert with dickinson wright in toronto, says the issue is best understood by looking at the legality of offshore sites accepting bets from canada, as well as what the law says about bets made by canadians.
For gamblers, he doesn't see anything in canada's criminal code that makes wagering through an offshore site illegal.
"as far as I'm concerned, you as a player aren't committing any criminal offence by being in a position where you are engaged with an offshore operator playing poker, playing slots, or whatever the case may be," lipton says.
Provincial jurisdiction
The trickier part of the equation is the legality of offshore operators taking bets from canada.
Prior to the internet, the legal ins and outs of gambling were more straightforward. Each province determined its own rules for gambling, whether casinos, bingos , or lotteries. An exception is horse racing, which is regulated by the canadian parimutuel agency, a unit of the federal agriculture department.
Over time, every province except for saskatchewan has moved towards online gambling.
B.C. Began offering online lottery tickets and sports betting in 2004. It added poker in 2009 and online casino games and bingo a year later.
Manitoba and quebec have a similar menu of online gambling options, as does ontario as of january. Alberta is likely to join them later this year.
On the east coast, the atlantic lottery corp. Oversees the sale of online lottery tickets and bingo for the maritime provinces, but so far does not offer casino games such as poker, blackjack or slots online.
Aside from a few inter-provincial agreements, outside bettors are restricted from playing on provincial sites.
Since gambling is a provincial concern, any legal uncertainty comes down to whether the criminal code prohibits offshore operators from doing business with canadians.
The B.C. Supreme court offered some clarity in 2001 in a case involving starnet communications international. The company, which had a gambling licence from antigua, also kept an office in vancouver. The court found that a canadian-based gambling site couldn't legally accept bets from canadians.
Offshore sites a click away
The part of the law that hasn't yet been tested in court concerns offshore sites that don't have a physical presence here. Just a click away for gamblers, is what they're doing illegal?
According to lipton, the answer is yes.
"I don't think [the law] is grey," he says. "you may want to call it anything you call it, but I think I can point to a particular provision in the criminal code and I can tell an offshore operator, under the circumstances, that if you do such and such then you could be prosecuted under that particular section of the criminal code."
Until offshore gambling has its day in court, uncertainty will linger over its legal status. Lipton, however, says other cases, for issues such as copyright protection, show that foreign operators that maintain a substantial connection to canada can be found to be violating canadian law.
If an offshore site, for example, does business here – advertises here, enters into contracts and knowingly accepts bets from canadians – then that would bring the operator under canada's jurisdiction.
More to the point, since gambling is the sole purview of the provinces, offshore sites could be breaking canadian laws every day.
Whether canada chooses to enforce those laws is another matter.
Kahnawake gaming commission
To date, the RCMP hasn't brought a case forward against an offshore gambling operator. It's possible this could happen, but doing so would take time and resources not to mention navigating the complexities of international extradition.
An arguably more fraught aspect – whether from a legal, political, or law enforcement point of view – of prosecuting a case against an offshore site is the jurisdictional claims of the kahnawake first nation in quebec. Just down the road from montreal, it's not physically offshore, yet the kahnawake gaming commission is one of the world's largest online gambling hosts.
For the RCMP to pursue an overseas operator may first require a serious legal and political engagement with first nations territorial sovereignty. At best, that would mean a drawn out court case. At worst, memories of an oka-style standoff serve as a warning.
Of late, canadian law enforcement seems preoccupied with terrorism, drugs, and biker gangs. In that context, it's understandable to see why the RCMP, which didn't respond to requests for comment about kahnawake gaming, may have put online gambling on the back burner.
Now that more provinces are committing to online gaming, it remains to be seen whether gambling will become more of a priority. Given the money that's currently flowing to offshore sites, though, reasons appear to be mo unting for any legal grey areas to become more black and white.
About the author
Paul haavardsrud writes for CBC's western business desk in calgary. He is also a producer on CBC radio’s national business desk where he talks about business on radio one in the afternoons. Prior to that he worked for newspapers. On twitter, he’s @paulhaavardsrud.
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