Online Gambling in Canada

Gambling Regulation in Canada

Online gambling in Canada is legal — but the rules are set province by province. Ontario is the most open market and the only province where private operators can apply for a licence. Other provinces run their own government-operated gambling sites.

Ontario opened its regulated online market in April 2022. The iGaming Ontario (iGO) body, operating under the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), licences private operators to offer online casino, poker and sports betting to Ontario residents. This was a major shift — players now have access to dozens of trusted international operators with full legal protection.

What does this mean for you as a player?

• Ontario players — You can play at any iGO-registered operator. You're protected by Ontario's consumer rules.
• Other provinces — You can use your province's government gambling site (e.g. PlayNow in BC, Loto-Québec in Quebec). Many Canadians also play at offshore sites, though these are in a legal grey area.
• No tax on winnings — The Canada Revenue Agency does not tax casual gambling winnings. You keep everything you win.
• Self-exclusion — Ontario's iGO offers a voluntary self-exclusion programme that blocks you from all registered operators.

How the provinces compare

Ontario is the most competitive market. British Columbia (PlayNow), Quebec (Loto-Québec) and Alberta (Sport Select) run government monopolies. These sites are safe but offer fewer games and less competitive odds than the private operators in Ontario. If you live in Ontario, you have access to the widest choice.

Online Casinos in Canada

Ontario players have access to over 70 registered online casinos. They've all been checked by iGO and must follow strict rules to keep you safe. Outside Ontario, government sites like PlayNow and Loto-Québec are the regulated options.

Big international names like Bet365, BetMGM and 888 Casino are all registered in Ontario. Each casino must publish its payout rates, use certified games and offer responsible gambling tools. You can set deposit limits, take time-outs or self-exclude directly from your account.

What to look for in a Canadian casino

• Licence — In Ontario, check for iGO registration. Outside Ontario, stick to your province's official site.
• Game fairness — Licensed casinos publish RTP percentages. This tells you how often each game pays out.
• Bonus terms — Read the wagering requirements before claiming a bonus. Lower is better.
• Deposit limits — Set a daily, weekly or monthly limit from day one. All licensed sites must offer this.

Live casino

Live dealer games are hugely popular in Canada. Real dealers run blackjack, roulette and baccarat from purpose-built studios — streamed to your screen. You play in real time, any time of day.

Online Poker in Canada

Online poker is fully legal in Canada. You pay no tax on your winnings — the Canada Revenue Agency doesn't tax casual gambling profits. PokerStars is by far the biggest site in Canada, with the most players and tournaments.

Ontario's regulated market means PokerStars, GGPoker, 888poker and partypoker all operate with full legal status in the province. Players in other provinces typically access the same sites, though in a less regulated environment.

No tax on poker winnings

Canada is one of the best countries in the world for poker players when it comes to tax. The CRA treats gambling winnings as windfalls, not income — so you owe nothing on what you win at the tables. This applies whether you play online or in a live tournament.

Live poker in Canada

Canada has a strong live poker scene. The Playground Poker Club near Montreal is one of the biggest poker rooms in North America, running tournaments and cash games year-round. The Canadian Poker Tour visits cities across the country, and many US tournament series include stops just across the border.

Sports Betting in Canada

Single-game sports betting became legal across Canada in August 2021. Before that, Canadians could only bet on parlays. Now you can bet on a single NHL game, a single NFL match, or any individual sporting event — just like bettors in the UK or US.

In Ontario, over 30 licensed sportsbooks are available — including Bet365, DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and Caesars. Outside Ontario, provincial lottery corporations offer single-game sports betting through their own platforms (Sport Select, Mise-o-jeu, etc.).

The most popular sports to bet on

• NHL Hockey — Canada's sport. Every game attracts heavy betting, especially Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens matches.
• NFL Football — The NFL is hugely popular in Canada, especially during playoff season and the Super Bowl.
• NBA Basketball — The Toronto Raptors have a huge following. NBA betting peaks during the playoffs.
• CFL — The Canadian Football League has a loyal betting audience, particularly for the Grey Cup.

Live betting and same-game parlays

All major Ontario sportsbooks offer live (in-play) betting, so you can bet while a game is underway. Same-game parlays — where you combine multiple selections from a single match — are extremely popular and widely available.

Lottery in Canada

Canada's lotteries are run by provincial corporations. Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max are the two biggest national games, with jackpots that regularly reach tens of millions of dollars. All lottery winnings in Canada are tax-free.

Lotto 6/49

Lotto 6/49 is one of the most-played lotteries in Canada. You pick 6 numbers from 1 to 49. Draws are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The jackpot starts at $5 million and grows with each rollover. Tickets are $3 per play and available at any lottery retailer or online through your provincial lottery site.

Lotto Max

Lotto Max has a maximum jackpot of $70 million. Draws are held on Tuesdays and Fridays. You pick 7 numbers from 1 to 50. When the jackpot reaches $50 million, MAXMILLIONS prizes of $1 million each are also up for grabs. Tickets cost $5 for 3 sets of numbers.

All lottery winnings in Canada are tax-free — whether you win $20 or $70 million. The CRA does not consider lottery prizes to be taxable income.