Canada · Law · Updated October 2026
Are online casinos legal in Canada? A province-by-province guide
Gambling in Canada is controlled by the provinces under the Criminal Code. That gives you thirteen different answers to one question.
The Criminal Code lets each province run gambling itself or license it. Two provinces now license private online casinos: Ontario, since April 2022, and Alberta, since July 13, 2026. In both, only operators registered with the provincial regulator may offer casino games, and affiliate sites like this one may only promote registered operators there. That's why Reel North does not link Ontario or Alberta players to the casinos we review.
Every other province and territory runs a government online casino, and offshore-licensed casinos also accept players there. Those offshore sites are licensed in places like Curaçao or Malta, not by any Canadian body. Playing at one isn't the same as playing at a provincial site: you won't have provincial dispute resolution, and self-excluding from your provincial site doesn't block you from offshore ones.
Online casino rules by province
| Province | Market | Regulator / operator | What it means | Age | We link? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Open licensed market (since April 2022) | AGCO and iGaming Ontario | Only registered operators. Affiliates may only promote registered sites. | 19 | No |
| Alberta | Open licensed market (since July 13, 2026) | AGLC and Alberta iGaming Corporation | Only registered operators and PlayAlberta. | 18 | No |
| British Columbia | Government site | BCLC (PlayNow); Independent Gambling Control Office since April 7, 2026 | Offshore sites accept players but aren't provincially regulated. B.C. guide | 19 | Yes |
| Saskatchewan | Government site | PlayNow SK | As above. | 19 | Yes |
| Manitoba | Government site | PlayNow (Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries) | As above. | 18 | Yes |
| Québec | Government site | Loto-Québec | As above. A 2016 law requiring ISPs to block unauthorized sites was struck down in 2021. Québec guide | 18 | Yes |
| Atlantic provinces | Government site | Atlantic Lottery (PlayALC) | As above. | 19 | Yes |
| Territories | No local online casino | Various | Offshore sites accept players. | 19 | Yes |
What an offshore licence does and doesn't give you
- Does: an overseeing regulator, required game testing, identity checks and a published complaints route.
- Doesn't: Canadian dispute handling, provincial self-exclusion coverage, or the advertising and bonus rules Ontario and Alberta impose.
FAQ
Is it illegal for me to play at an offshore casino?
Canadian enforcement has focused on operators rather than individual players in provinces without an open market. In Ontario and Alberta, registered operators are the legal option. This is general information, not legal advice.
Are gambling winnings taxable in Canada?
Recreational winnings are generally tax-free. If gambling is your business, income can be taxable. Ask an accountant about your situation.
Why do some casinos block my province?
Operators geo-block provinces where they aren't registered, such as Ontario and Alberta, to avoid enforcement action.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change; check your provincial regulator for the current position.