Gambling, both online and in land casinos, remains a consistently popular pastime for Canadian residents. Even so, questions remain about the legality of such activities, so let’s take a look at the state of legal gambling in Canada in 2019, in particular with regards to online casinos.
Is Gambling in Canada Legal?
In a word, yes. There’s a bit more to it than that, but generally speaking gambling and casinos are tolerated and well supported in Canada. The regulation of brick and mortar establishments is a provincial affair, and some regional governments also run their own online gambling sites which can be legally accessed by any resident of that province, provided they are of age.
Of course, the provincial online casinos don’t offer enough diversity for most Canadians, and if you don’t live in a province with its own site then you are barred from using a state-sanctioned option. This is where offshore casino sites come in – and the legality gets a bit more opaque.
Many casinos and sports betting providers with a base overseas supply the growing Canadian market, and so far there has been little resistance by the authorities. Some attempts have been made by the provincial government in Quebec to prevent residents from using offshore casinos. These attempts have all definitively failed, and it seems that the federal government is not interested in pursuing legislative change at this time.
So, where does that leave players? What it means in reality is that you are in no danger of any legal repercussions if you make an account and play casino games online. The casino providers themselves have also been given a free rein to tailor their sites to target the Canadian market. Many now offer CAD as a currency option, and exclusive Canadian payment portals are supported.
So, good news all round for Canadian casino fans. But is there anything to be concerned about?
How do I Find the Best Online Casinos?
So far, we have seen that casino sites based in other countries are permitted to target the Canadian market, and that residents can use them without fear of any legal consequences. The government is essentially looking the other way.
However, while players can never be prosecuted for playing casino games online, neither are they protected if anything should go awry. For this reason, it’s vital to do your research when choosing a site with which to make an account.
Luckily, there’s lots of advice out there for Canadians who want to stay safe when playing online. For example, if you’re interested in online poker Canada, then you can visit a trusted site like https://new-casino.ca/online-poker-canada/ to find a list of approved providers. All the casino operators recommended are fully licensed and regulated by a recognized government body such as the UK Gambling Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority.
Will the Laws Change in the Future?
We can’t say for certain whether there will be any tightening of legislation in Canada in regards to offshore casino sites. But it certainly doesn’t look like anything will be happening soon. The attempts in Quebec to block access were deemed unconstitutional and struck down, and it seems that on a federal level there is no enthusiasm for reforming or formalizing the law.
In fact, if anything, the tide seems to be turning in the other direction. The Canadian Gaming Association is once more preparing to bring about a change in the Criminal Code that would permit betting on single sports events. The trend is towards less restriction, not more.
For now at least, Canada’s gambling laws remain in keeping with the liberal ideology of the country.