Understanding Online Gambling in Canada: What You Need to Know
The Canadian online casino landscape offers a unique combination of provincial regulation and offshore options. Here's what you need to know to play legally and safely:
Online Casino Regulation in Canada
Ontario: Fully Regulated Market
In April 2022, Ontario became the first Canadian province to establish a regulated iGaming market, governed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and its subsidiary iGaming Ontario (iGO). This means:
Online casinos must be licensed by iGaming Ontario to operate legally
Players enjoy enhanced consumer protections
Operators must adhere to strict responsible gambling standards
All gaming revenue is taxed and contributes to the provincial economy
Visit our detailed guide to Ontario online casinos for more information.
Rest of Canada: Grey Market
In other Canadian provinces, online gambling exists in what's often called a "grey market":
No specific laws prohibit Canadians from playing at offshore casinos
Provincial lottery corporations offer limited online gambling options
Many international operators accept Canadian players
Players should choose reputable, licensed casinos (such as those with Malta Gaming Authority or UK Gambling Commission licenses)
Types of Online Casinos Available to Canadians
Provincial Lottery Casinos
Each province operates its own lottery corporation that offers some form of online gambling:
PlayOLG (Ontario)
PlayNow (British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan)
Loto-Québec (Quebec)
ALC (Atlantic provinces)
Licensed Private Operators (Ontario Only)
In Ontario, dozens of private operators have received licenses through iGaming Ontario, including international brands like:
PartyCasino
International Casinos
Outside Ontario, Canadians access international casino sites that operate from jurisdictions like Malta, Gibraltar, and the Isle of Man.