Is Online Gambling Legal in Canada? Gambling Laws Explained (2026)

The Short Answer

Yes, online gambling is legal in Canada — but the regulatory landscape is complex. Canada's Criminal Code doesn't prohibit individual players from gambling online. Instead, it regulates who can operate gambling services. Each province has the authority to regulate and license online gambling within its borders.

For most Canadian players, this means you can legally access both provincially regulated platforms and internationally licensed offshore casinos without breaking any law. The sections below explain the full legal picture — federal law, provincial regulation, and where offshore sites fit in.

What Does Federal Law Say?

Canada's Criminal Code (Section 207) governs gambling at the federal level. The key points:

• Provinces can operate and regulate gambling — This includes lotteries, casinos, and online gaming platforms
• Operating an unlicensed gambling business in Canada is illegal — Only provincial governments and their licensees can run gambling operations within Canada
• No law targets individual players — There is no provision in the Criminal Code that makes it illegal for a Canadian citizen to place a bet online
• Single-event sports betting became legal in 2021 — Bill C-218 (the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act) removed the prohibition on single-event wagering

The 2021 amendment to legalize single-event sports betting was a major milestone. It opened the door for provinces to offer competitive sportsbook products, and Ontario was the first to build a fully regulated private-operator market around it.

Provincial Regulation: A Province-by-Province Overview

Each Canadian province handles online gambling differently. Here's the current landscape:

Players in provinces without a private operator market (everywhere outside Ontario) commonly use offshore casinos that accept Canadian players and support Canadian payment methods like Interac. These platforms operate legally in their home jurisdictions (Malta, Curaçao, Kahnawake, etc.) and are not prohibited under Canadian federal law.

What About Offshore Casinos?

This is where things get nuanced. Offshore online casinos — platforms licensed outside of Canada — are not regulated by any Canadian authority. However, no Canadian law prohibits players from using them.

The legal grey area exists because:

• Canada's Criminal Code targets operators, not players
• Offshore sites operate in jurisdictions where they hold valid licences
• No Canadian has ever been prosecuted for playing at an offshore casino
• Many offshore casinos actively cater to Canadian players with CAD support and Interac e-Transfer deposits

That said, not all offshore casinos are equal. Player protection varies widely depending on the licensing jurisdiction. MGA-licensed casinos must hold player funds in segregated accounts and submit to regular audits, while Curaçao-licensed operators face lighter oversight. The licensing authority is typically displayed in the casino's footer — always verify it before depositing.

Ontario's Regulated iGaming Market

Ontario made history in April 2022 by launching Canada's first provincially regulated private-operator online gambling market. Overseen by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and operated through iGaming Ontario (iGO), this market allows private companies to offer legal online casino and sports betting to Ontario residents.

Key facts about Ontario's iGaming market:

• 50+ licensed operators as of early 2026
• $2.1 billion in total wagers reported in Q3 2025
• Operators must meet strict responsible gambling standards
• Player funds must be held in segregated accounts
• All games must be tested and certified for fairness

Other provinces are watching Ontario's model closely. British Columbia and Alberta have explored similar frameworks, though neither has yet moved to open their markets to private operators.

Your Legal Protections as a Player

Canadian law provides several layers of protection for online gamblers, depending on which type of platform you use:

Regulated Platforms (Ontario)

• Segregated player funds — AGCO-licensed operators must keep player deposits separate from operating funds
• Mandatory self-exclusion tools — Operators must offer deposit limits, cooling-off periods, and self-exclusion registration
• Dispute resolution — iGaming Ontario provides a formal complaint process for player disputes
• Game fairness auditing — All games must be tested and certified by independent labs

Offshore Platforms

• Licensing jurisdiction matters — MGA (Malta) and Kahnawake licences carry stricter standards than Curaçao. Check the footer for licence details
• No Canadian regulatory recourse — Disputes with offshore operators fall under their licensing authority, not Canadian courts
• Voluntary protections only — Responsible gambling tools at offshore casinos are offered voluntarily, not legally mandated

Regardless of where you play, responsible gambling resources are available across Canada. The Responsible Gambling Council, ConnexOntario, and provincial helplines provide free, confidential support.

Frequently Asked Questions