Canadians have access to a thriving casino industry that offers them both online and offline gambling opportunities. Provincially licensed and regulated legal online gambling sites in Canada are available throughout the nation, and varies from province to province. In addition, Canadian players are also able to legally access licensed online casinos that are regulated outside of Canada.
This page of our guide will provide you with everything you need to know about legally participating in casino gaming in Canada. We will take a look at all three legally sanctioned options for casino gambling in Canada, the legalities concerning each of them, and how to selectively determine the best gaming environment that meets your specific needs and preferences.
Are Online Casinos Legal In Canada? – Bottom Line
Yes, online casinos are 100% legal in Canada. Canadians have 2 legal options for playing at online casinos for real money. The first are casinos that are licensed and regulated directly by the providence. However it’s important to note that there are only a handful of these throughout the entire country. The second option is to play at legally licensed offshore casinos. Canadian laws allow for both of these options to be available to Canadian players.
Most Trusted Online Casinos Open To Canadian Players In 2024 – Play In CAD
The following online casinos are all legally licensed to accept players from Canada and are some of the most respected names in the industry. Every single one of these casino sites has been in the gambling industry for decades and are well regarded as the most trusted sites by many industry professionals including our team here at Legalgamblingcanada.com. We can guarantee that every site listed below is extremely reputable, licensed and regulated, offers generous bonuses and will always pay out winnings.
| Site Name | Bonus | Rating | Software | Canadian | VIsit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 100% Up To $600 |  | RTG |  | Visit Site |
 | 200% Max $1,000 | | Multiple | | Visit Site |
 | 200% Up To $5,000 |  | Betsoft | | Visit Site |
Faq’s About Playing Online Casinos In Canada
What Types Of Casino Gambling Are Considered Legal In Canada?
Residents of Canada have three types of legally sanctioned casino gambling at their disposal. The first type we will discuss is brick and mortar casinos. There are more than 100 land based casinos operating throughout the Canadian provinces. These casinos are licensed by the individual provinces in which they are located. Since each region determines what type of gambling they will and will not allow in their territory, they also determine which types of games are permitted at each destination. The selection of games will vary from region to region.
Secondly, Canadian gambling laws allow each province to allow or prohibit locally licensed online casinos within their territory. Provincially licensed online casinos are able to offer whatever range of games is approved through the laws in their region. Typically players will find games such as slots, video poker and roulette offered at locally licensed online casinos.
Many Canadians prefer the convenient online access that these casinos offer as opposed to physically visiting a brick and mortar destination. Players must be at least 19 years of age to participate in most provinces, with a few areas allowing players as young as 18 years old.
Lastly, Canadians can legally participate in online gambling at licensed and regulated online casinos that are located outside of Canada’s borders. These offshore gambling sites offer a very hearty selection of games to play, as well as attractive bonus offers and promotions to earn your business. They offer their gaming services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through a highly secure and innovative gaming environment.
The online casinos regulated through the Kahnawake Gaming Commission are categorized as ‘offshore’ destinations as far as Canadian players are concerned due to the fact that the Kahnawake region is deemed a sovereign territory that is populated by the Mohawk tribe.
Will I Get Arrested For Gambling For Real Money At An Offshore Casino That Allows Canadian Residents?
Absolutely not. There are no provisions within Canada’s gambling laws that make it illegal for Canadian residents to participate in legally licensed and regulated offshore online casino gambling. In addition, the restrictions contained within Canada’s gambling laws are all directed at online casino owner/operators and not players. Canada’s gambling laws do not reach beyond their borders, and hold no jurisdiction over offshore gambling sites.
What Are The Primary Differences Between The Canadian Based Online Casinos Versus Offshore Casinos
There are a few differences between the legally licensed offshore online casinos and the locally licensed gambling sites in Canada. For one, offshore online casinos are licensed through a different governing jurisdiction. Offshore online casinos generally have a substantially wider selection of games than the locally based gambling sites, often offering in excess of 200+ games.
It is not unusual to find traditional slots, progressive slots, 3D slots, multiple variations of video poker, blackjack, roulette and baccarat, as well as other table games and specialty games such as keno, scratch cards or bingo. They also usually provide generous bonus offers and promotions that provincial regulated gambling sites cannot compete with.
Where Can I Find The Biggest Online Casino Bonuses?
In the majority of cases, the offshore casino websites are offering the largest new player bonuses, reload bonuses, special promotions and tournament jackpots. Bonus offers are usually structured as deposit match bonuses in which the online casinos will agree to match a specific percentage of your deposit. This offer can apply as a sign up bonus that is based on your initial deposit, or as a reload bonus that is based on subsequent deposits.
An example of a deposit match bonus would be structured like this: 400% match bonus up to $4000. This means that the online casino will match 400% of your deposit up to a maximum of $4000. This is not an unusual offer to find at international online casinos. Cash flow for the locally licensed online casinos is typically not as lucrative as the offshore gambling sites that have thousands upon thousands of customers all around the world.
Canadian based online casinos have a more limited customer base. This being the case, the offshore brands have a more fluid budget with which to deliver larger bonuses and promotions.
Is It Safe To Play For Real Money Online?
You can rest assured that online casinos that are licensed through the provinces in Canada are safe and held to strict regulatory standards. Players will need to be a little bit more selective when it comes to offshore online casinos. We have the following minimal requirements before an online casino is even considered for inclusion in our guide as a recommended brand:
- Must be legally licensed and regulated through a legitimate and respected governing jurisdiction.
- Must hold legitimate compliance certifications that demonstrate their commitment to fair gaming practices.
- Must employ a sophisticated security profile that includes advanced data encryption, firewall protection, anti-virus and anti-fraud protection, and a technical team that monitors these systems around the clock.
- Must utilize an industry leading casino software solution such as RTG, Microgaming, Playtech or other distinguished brand well known to industry professionals.
- Must operate an efficient banking suite that offers a strong selection of deposit and withdrawal options.
- Must deliver an impressive menu that includes variety and wide range of games.
- Interface must be user friendly and innovative.
- Customer support staff must be knowledgeable and responsive.
- Overall performance must be free of glitches and technical problems.
- Bonus offers and promotions must carry reasonable and attainable wagering requirements and terms & conditions.
- Must have a positive reputation throughout the online gambling community.
This is just a tiny sampling of the many elements we review when determining the legitimacy and quality of an online casino. If a brand meets these requirements, we then dive deeper into their operation for a more in-depth picture of what they are made of.
Right Now There Only Seems To Be A Handful Of Canadian Online Casinos – Is This Expected To Change?
One of the reasons that offshore online casinos do well among Canadian players is because there are really not very many provincially regulated online casinos available at this time. The offshore online casinos are hard to compete with due to their larger cash flow situation and broader range of services that can be offered to players.
We are not expecting a surge in new online casino operations in Canada in the near future, but this could change as Canadian gambling laws evolve to keep pace with technological advances.
With more and more of our daily lives being handled through technology, it is not outside of the realm of possibility for digital interactive gambling to gain momentum over the next few years and even overtake the influence of brick and mortar destinations within the industry.
Do I Have To Pay Taxes On My Casino Gambling Winnings In Canada?
Typically in Canada gambling winnings are not taxed unless a player is a professional gambler and gambles for a living. However, tax laws do change, so we recommend that you consult a tax attorney familiar with Canadian laws in order to get the most current and accurate information.