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Online Casinos in Canada: The Rules Province by Province
Online casinos in Canada are legal only through the provinces. See how Ontario, Alberta and the government-site provinces differ on operators, age and rules.
Online gambling is legal in Canada only when a provincial government conducts and manages it, under section 207(1)(a) of the Criminal Code. As of October 2026, Ontario and Alberta let private operators in, while other provinces run a single government site.
In short
Canada has no national online casino licence. The Criminal Code bans gambling generally and then lets each province conduct and manage lottery schemes, which includes online casino games. Ontario opened a private market on 4 April 2022 and listed 49 operators with 84 websites as of October 2026. Alberta followed on 13 July 2026. British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces each offer one government site. The minimum age is 18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec and 19 elsewhere.
Is online gambling legal in Canada?
Online gambling is legal in Canada when a provincial government, alone or with another province, conducts and manages it under Criminal Code section 207(1)(a). Beyond that and a few charity exceptions, Part VII of the Code prohibits gaming and betting.
Section 207 lists who may run a “lottery scheme”, the Code’s term for games of chance, including casino games:
| Paragraph | Who may conduct and manage | Online casino games allowed? |
|---|---|---|
| 207(1)(a) | The government of a province | Yes |
| 207(1)(b) | Licensed charitable or religious organisations | No (s.207(4)(c)) |
| 207(1)(c) | Boards of fairs and exhibitions | No (s.207(4)(c)) |
| 207(1)(d) | Licensed operators at public places of amusement, max $2 stake and $500 prize | No (s.207(4)(c)) |
Section 207(4)(c) is the key text. For paragraphs (1)(b) to (f), a lottery scheme does not include a game “operated on or through a computer, video device, slot machine or a dice game”. Only a provincial government can therefore offer online slots and table games. Ontario and Alberta keep that rule by having a provincial body conduct and manage the market while private companies operate the sites. Our Canada gambling law page summarises the federal position.
How does each province run online casinos?
Each province runs online casinos in one of two ways: a regulated market with private operators, as in Ontario and Alberta, or a single site owned by the provincial lottery corporation. The table shows the model, responsible body and minimum age.
| Province | Model | Who runs it | Legal site(s) | Minimum age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Private market + government site | iGaming Ontario; AGCO regulates; OLG runs its own site | 49 operators, 84 sites; OLG.ca | 19 |
| Alberta | Private market + government site | AGLC regulates; Alberta iGaming Corporation contracts | About 40 registered operators; Play Alberta | 18 |
| British Columbia | Government only | BCLC | PlayNow.com | 19 |
| Manitoba | Government only | Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries | PlayNow.com Manitoba | 18 |
| Saskatchewan | Government only | Managed by SaskGaming, operated by SIGA, regulated by SLGA | PlayNow.com | 19 |
| Quebec | Government only | Loto-Québec | lotoquebec.com | 18 |
| New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador | Government only | Atlantic Lottery | alc.ca | 19 |
| Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut | No territorial online casino found | – | – | – |
Figures are as of October 2026. The Ontario counts come from the iGaming Ontario directory, and the Alberta count from the AGLC registrant search on 25 October 2026. Detail for each province is in our spokes on BC Online Casino: How PlayNow Works, Quebec Online Casino and Online Casinos in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Which provinces license private online casino operators?
Ontario and Alberta are the two provinces that license private online casino operators as of October 2026. In both, a provincial body conducts and manages the games to satisfy the Criminal Code, while registered private companies run the websites.
Ontario. iGaming Ontario (iGO) conducts and manages online gaming offered through private operators, and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) regulates the market. iGO was created in July 2021 as an AGCO subsidiary and became an independent provincial agency in May 2025. The market opened on 4 April 2022. Players must be 19 or older and physically located in Ontario. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation runs its own separate site, explained in OLG Online Casino, and the regulator is profiled on our AGCO licence page.
| Ontario market, August 2026 | Value |
|---|---|
| Cash wagers | $9,740 million |
| Non-adjusted gross gaming revenue (NAGGR) | $396.3 million |
| Casino share of NAGGR | 336.3 ÷ 396.3 = 84.9% |
| Active player accounts | 1,208,000 |
| NAGGR change vs August 2025 | 396.3 ÷ 334.8 − 1 = +18.4% |
| NAGGR, September 2025 to August 2026 | $4,690.8 million (sum of 12 months) |
The iGO figures exclude OLG’s online offer and are unaudited. NAGGR is cash wagers minus player winnings, before operating costs.
Editor’s insight
The Ontario data shows that a regulated Canadian market is mainly a casino market, not a sports betting market. In August 2026, casino games produced 84.9% of revenue and betting 13.7% ($54.4 million of $396.3 million). The hold on cash wagers was 396.3 ÷ 9,740 = 4.1%, close to the 4% house edge of a slot with a 96% RTP. For players, this means the regulated sites compete mostly on casino libraries and payment speed, and that the house edge, not the odds board, drives the bill.
Alberta. Bill 48, passed in spring 2025, created the iGaming Alberta Act, the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) and AGLC’s role as regulator. Private operators could take bets from 13 July 2026, once registered with AGLC and under a commercial agreement with AiGC. The minimum age is 18. The full launch story is in Alberta Online Casinos: How the New Licensed Market Works.
Which provinces offer only a government online casino?
British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Quebec and the four Atlantic provinces offer only a government online casino as of October 2026. In each, the provincial lottery corporation is the sole legal online casino operator for residents.
- British Columbia: the Government of B.C. states that PlayNow.com, run by the BC Lottery Corporation, is the only legal online gambling site in the province.
- Manitoba: Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries lists PlayNow.com among its products, at a Manitoba-specific address.
- Saskatchewan: PlayNow.com launched on 3 November 2022 with over 500 casino games. SaskGaming manages it, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) operates it, BCLC supplies the platform and the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority regulates it.
- Quebec: Loto-Québec offers poker, bingo, casino and lottery games online to Quebec residents aged 18 or over who are physically in Quebec.
- Atlantic Canada: Atlantic Lottery sells online casino games on alc.ca, with live casino available only in select provinces.
We found no online casino conducted and managed by the governments of Yukon, the Northwest Territories or Nunavut. BC’s PlayNow platform now powers three provincial sites: its own, Manitoba’s and Saskatchewan’s.
What is the gambling age in each province?
The gambling age in Canada is 18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec and 19 in Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and the Atlantic provinces. Each province sets its own minimum age, and the rule applies to its online casino sites.
| Age | Provinces | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Alberta | iGaming Alberta Act, per Government of Alberta fact sheet |
| 18 | Manitoba | LGCC Act s.98 bars minors; Interpretation Act defines a minor as under 18 |
| 18 | Quebec | Loto-Québec online conditions, clause 4.1.1 |
| 19 | Ontario | iGaming Ontario directory: “19+” |
| 19 | British Columbia | Government of B.C.: “You must be 19 years or older to gamble in B.C.” |
| 19 | Saskatchewan | PlayNow.com launch release: players “aged 19 years and older” |
| 19 | Atlantic provinces | alc.ca: “You must be 19+ to purchase, play or redeem ALC products” |
A province-by-province guide to land-based rules is in Gambling Age in Canada by Province.
Are offshore online casinos legal for Canadian players?
Offshore online casinos are not authorised in any Canadian province, because only a site conducted and managed by a provincial government, directly or through a body like iGaming Ontario, falls under Criminal Code section 207(1)(a). Such sites carry no provincial player protections.
Before Alberta’s launch, the Government of Alberta estimated that around 70% of online gambling in the province happened with grey or black market operators, according to Covers, a trade publication. iGaming Ontario lists the risks of unregulated sites: deposits may not be stored securely, payouts can be delayed or refused, and the operator has no accountability to a regulator. We use the province-match method to check any site in three steps:
- Locate: the rules follow where you are physically located, not where you live. Ontario and Quebec both require players to be inside the province.
- Match: find the site in your province’s list: the iGaming Ontario directory, the AGLC registrant search, or the single government site named above.
- Verify: confirm the age limit (18 or 19) and that the site asks for geolocation and identity checks before your first deposit.
Important
A site that accepts Canadian players without asking where you are located is not part of any provincial scheme. Disputes, unpaid winnings and self-exclusion then fall outside every Canadian regulator’s reach. Set deposit and time limits before you play, and read our responsible gambling guide if gambling stops feeling like a game.
Do Canadians pay tax on online casino winnings?
Canadians do not normally pay tax on gambling prizes. The Canada Revenue Agency lists lottery winnings among amounts you do not report, unless the prize can be considered income from employment, a business or property, or a prize for achievement.
The CRA page, modified on 17 September 2026, does not name casino winnings separately. The exception matters for people whose gambling amounts to a business, because the CRA wording excludes prizes that can be considered income from a business. Anyone in that position should take advice from a tax professional rather than rely on the general rule.
Our take
Canada’s online casino map is a patchwork, and we think it will stay one. The Criminal Code gives every province the same power, but provinces use it very differently: Ontario and Alberta open their markets to dozens of brands, while eight provinces keep one government site. Ontario’s numbers make the commercial case: $4.69 billion of revenue in twelve months to August 2026, with 84.9% from casino games. The weak spot is the grey market. Alberta’s own estimate of 70% unregulated play before launch shows how many Canadians still use offshore sites. For players, the rule is simple: play only on a site your own province names.
Key takeaways
- Criminal Code s.207(1)(a) lets only provincial governments conduct and manage online casinos.
- Ontario lists 49 operators and 84 websites; its NAGGR was $396.3 million in August 2026.
- Alberta’s private market opened on 13 July 2026, with about 40 registered operator entries by 25 October 2026.
- BC, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces each have one government online casino.
- Minimum age: 18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec; 19 in the other provinces.
- The CRA does not treat lottery-type winnings as income for recreational players.
FAQ
Is online gambling legal in Canada?
Yes, when a provincial government conducts and manages it under Criminal Code section 207(1)(a). Each province decides whether to run a government site, a private market or both.
Which provinces have private online casinos?
Ontario since 4 April 2022 and Alberta since 13 July 2026. In both, operators must be registered with the provincial regulator and contracted by a provincial body.
What is the legal age for online casinos in Canada?
18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec, and 19 in Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and the Atlantic provinces.
Can I play on an Ontario site while in another province?
No. iGaming Ontario requires players to be physically located in Ontario to play on its regulated sites.
Are casino winnings taxable in Canada?
Usually not for recreational players. The CRA lists lottery winnings among amounts not reported unless they are income from employment, a business or property.
Sources
- Criminal Code, s.207 (Justice Laws)
- iGaming Ontario – Regulated market directory
- iGaming Ontario – Monthly market performance report
- AGCO – Roles of the AGCO and iGaming Ontario
- AGLC – iGaming
- Government of Alberta – iGaming fact sheet (Jan 2026)
- Government of B.C. – Gambling in B.C.
- Government of Saskatchewan – PlayNow.com launch (Nov 2022)
- Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries
- Manitoba – Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act
- Manitoba – Interpretation Act
- Loto-Québec – Conditions du jeu en ligne
- Atlantic Lottery – alc.ca
- Canada Revenue Agency – Amounts that are not reported or taxed
- Covers – Alberta launch date (secondary, trade press)
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