Legal Gambling Ages in Canada
Discover Canada's gambling age, province by province, in our comprehensive guide. We'll help you understand the gambling laws of each province, gambling laws across Canada, and our top tips to start gambling with confidence today.
Legal online gambling age in Canada
Canada's gambling minimum age varies between 18 and 19. Canada does not have a universal gambling age under federal law, as provinces can create their own gambling regulations, meaning it can change depending on your location. However, the casino age limit remains unchanged whether you bet online or at a land-based location.
| Province | Major cities | Legal gambling age |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | Calgary, Edmonton | 18 |
| British Columbia | Kelowna, Vancouver | 19 |
| Manitoba | Brandon, Winnipeg | 18 |
| New Brunswick | Fredericton, Moncton | 19 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | St. John’s | 19 |
| Northwest Territories | Yellowknife | 19 |
| Nova Scotia | Halifax | 19 |
| Nunavut | Iqaluit | 19 |
| Ontario | Hamilton, Toronto | 19 |
| Prince Edward Island | Charlottetown | 19 |
| Quebec | Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City | 18 |
| Saskatchewan | Regina, Saskatoon | 19 |
| Yukon | Whitehorse | 19 |
What are the different types of legal gambling in Canada?
Once you reach the legal gambling age, you can engage in various forms of betting, both online and at physical locations.
If you decide to gamble online, it's important to note that in most provinces, it's illegal. However, Canada can be considered a "grey market" as there are no legal consequences for residents who choose to play with internationally licensed casinos online. Ultimately, this means Canadians can play online, but casinos cannot host their services in the country. The one exception is Ontario, which in April 2022, became the first province to legalize and regulate online casinos and sportsbooks. ON players can now freely and legally access all the top online casinos from inside their province.
Whether you prefer online gambling or visiting local gambling establishments, here are the types of betting available in Canada:
Casino
Canada boasts nearly 90 brick-and-mortar casinos spread across the country, supported by nine provinces that offer private, government-run, or First Nations casinos. Among them, Ontario takes the lead with 27 locations and a minimum gambling age of 19. In addition to physical casinos, Ontario also licenses online casinos, providing options for residents and visitors within the province.
Online and offline casinos present a range of exciting games, including slots, live dealer games, roulette, and blackjack. However, it's worth noting that land-based casinos often have a more limited selection when compared to online casinos, which can provide hundreds or even thousands of games.
Poker
Many casinos across Canada cater to poker enthusiasts, offering dedicated poker rooms where players can enjoy popular variants like Texas Hold 'em and participate in thrilling tournaments. The poker offerings are impressive, with casinos boasting a generous number of tables.
For instance, Casino Montreal boasts an impressive 27-table poker room, Caesars Windsor features 14 tables, and Playground Poker Club goes all out with a staggering 70 tables. To add to the excitement, some poker rooms operate 24/7, allowing you to indulge in your passion for the game at any time that suits you.
If online poker is more your style, Canadian players who meet the age requirements also have options. In Ontario, poker networks and online casinos with poker are regulated within the province. In other parts of Canada, players can access licensed international operators, expanding the possibilities for online poker play.
Lottery
There are plenty of options to satisfy Canadians' love for lottery games. You can dive into three thrilling nationwide lotteries open to players across every province: LOTTO MAX, The Daily Grand, and Lotto 6/49.
On top of that, five additional regional lotteries cater to specific territories throughout the country:
Atlantic 49 (Atlantic Lottery): New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador
BC/49 (British Columbia Lottery Corporation): British Columbia
Quebec 49 (Lotto-Quebec): Quebec
Ontario 49 (Ontario Lottery and Gaming): Ontario
Western Max 6/49 (Western Canada Lottery Corp): Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwestern Territories, Nunavut, Saskatchewan, Yukon
Bingo
A much-loved pastime across Canada, there are dozens of bingo halls around the country, with most provinces offering at least one. Then there are online bingo sites, which Canadians can access and play popular games such as 90-ball and 75-ball. Since the rise of online bingo, land-based venues in Canada have made drastic improvements to enhance the customer experience.
Sports betting
In Canada, land-based sports betting is available in all provinces, although single-market betting is not allowed, except in Ontario. For most Canadians, parlay betting is the only sports betting option available. This involves wagering on multiple sporting events at the same time. Sport Select, Mise-O-Jeu, and Pro-Line are the main parlay betting platforms and can be found at most retail locations.
Players that want single sports betting need to go online. Across Canada, there are plenty of internationally regulated sports betting sites to choose from. However, the process is even easier in Ontario as all types of sports betting are available online through sportsbooks licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
Slots
Online slots are some of the most popular games at online and physical casinos. With thousands of titles featuring varying paylines, themes, characters, payouts and betting options, every player can find their perfect game. The industry's leading software developers, like NetEnt, Microgaming, IGT, Playtech, and Pragmatic Play, are behind some of the biggest and most popular slot machines, such as Mega Moolah, Gonzo's Quest, Cleopatra, The Dog House and Thunderstruck II.
Land-based casinos in Canada offer traditional slot machines that bring a touch of mechanical realism to gameplay. The number of slots you can find at a physical casino depends on the venue, with some locations offering hundreds of games.
Proof of age
Reputable online casinos will ask for proof of age to create a safe gambling environment and adhere to strict legal requirements. You'll be prompted to verify your age during the registration process or when you're about to make your first withdrawal. This verification step is crucial to confirm that you meet the legal age requirements for gambling.
To complete the age verification process, you will need to provide copies of a valid identification document such as a passport, driver's license, or ID card. Once the documents are ready, you can securely send them to the online casino, which checks them within 24 hours.
Land-based casinos operate in a similar manner, and you'll be required to show your ID before you enter the casino. Unlike at online casinos, where players can often deposit and place bets before going through the verification process, you won't be able to buy chips or play games until your age is verified.
It's important to remember the different age limits of each province are different. For example, the legal gambling age in Quebec is 18, but if you were to be playing in Ontario, you'd need to be 19 years old. Check the legal gambling age for your location before trying to play online or at a land-based casino to ensure you can play legally.
Payment methods
When you visit your local casino or play at an online casino, you'll need to make a deposit to play real money games. Having plenty of payment options makes the whole process smoother and faster, and most top casinos will accept a wide range of banking methods.
Here are just a few of the most common ones you will find:
Online casino payments
Debit and credit cards: Visa and Mastercard are almost universally accepted for deposits and withdrawals at online casinos.
E-wallets: Digital wallets like PayPal and Skrill are popular and available at internationally-licensed casinos. Operators regulated in Ontario may not offer these methods but will supply alternative options such as Interac and iDebit.
Traditional banking: Bank transfers and eChecks are available at most casino sites. However, these methods are slower than others when withdrawing winnings.
Land-based casino payments
Cash: Brick-and-mortar casinos allow customers to buy chips at the casino cage using cash and withdraw winnings instantly.
Debit and credit cards: Retail casinos also accept credit/debit card deposits and often have a superior selection than online casinos (such as Maestro and American Express). Casinos support contactless payments for more secure transactions.
Wire transfer: You can set up a bank transfer at the casino, but you'll need to supply your bank account details.
Tips for first-time gamblers
All forms of gambling are games of luck. Even so, you can pull the odds in your favour and try to make your bankroll last as long as possible by playing smart and following a few simple tips:
Choose a secure and reputable casino. Whether you like to play online or offline, look for the license information at the bottom of the casino's website. To simplify your search, all the top-rated Canadian online casinos on our site hold valid licenses with reputable regulators.
Set a budget. Once you've got a number in mind, try and stick to it to avoid spending more than you were willing to.
Practice with free play. Most casino games and slots can be played via free demo mode online at the best online casinos. Here, you can familiarize yourself with the rules and gameplay, learn at your own pace and explore the wide variety of games without betting any real money. If you visit a brick-and-mortar casino, you can observe and wait before playing to boost your confidence in the rules and gameplay before placing any chips.
How to sign up
You can easily register with an online casino if you're of legal gambling age for your province. Follow the steps below to start playing slots, live dealer, and table games within minutes:
Find an online casino. Use our online casino reviews or visit our top picks of the best online casinos in Canada to find the perfect casino.
Sign-up. Tap the registration or sign-up button to start the process. You'll need to enter basic details like your name, address, phone number, and email address.
Provide your documents. Once you've verified your email address, you may need to provide your ID before depositing and playing. However, some casinos wait until your first withdrawal to complete this process.
Make your first deposit. Now your account's ready, you can head to the cashier or banking section and pick one of the available payment methods. Enter your payment details and the amount you want to deposit to complete the transaction.
Start playing. Deposits usually clear instantly, so you can head to the online casino's lobby and select a game. Check the details on how to play, make your bet and start playing.
Responsible gambling
Responsible gambling starts with verifying your legal gambling age. As a player, it's your responsibility to provide proof of age to the casino. However, asking for age verification is a sign of a safe and legitimate casino.
Licenses ensure that casinos adhere to strict standards set by regulators. These licenses serve as a seal of approval, assuring players that the casino follows high standards in promoting responsible gambling. To further ensure you're playing at a safe and legal casino, check it's licenced by a reputable authority in your province.
Leading online casino providers take responsible gambling seriously and offer dedicated portals to empower players. These portals provide valuable information on managing budgets and identifying signs of problem gaming. They equip players with tools like self-exclusion options, self-assessment resources, and the ability to set limits for deposits, bet amounts, and time spent gambling. Casinos will also provide third-party resources, tools and direct links to responsible gambling charities.
Disclaimer
The contents of this page are provided for informational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice and it should not be relied on as such. Before making any decision regarding participation in any online activity, users should seek independent formal legal advice.
Legal gambling ages FAQ
Yes, you can gamble in Canada at 18 if you are located in Quebec, Alberta, and Manitoba. All other provinces in Canada have a minimum gambling age of 19 for online and land-based betting.
Yes, you can gamble online in Manitoba, Alberta, and Quebec if you are 18. However, you must be 19 or over to gamble online in all other provinces in Canada.
Although online gambling is illegal in Canada, players from any province can still visit internationally regulated online casinos and sportsbooks, provided they are of legal gambling age. Manitoba, Alberta, and Quebec are the only provinces where you can gamble at 18. If you are located in any other province in Canada, you must be 19.
No, the legal gambling age in Canada is 18 or 19, depending on where you are located. Manitoba, Quebec, and Alberta have a minimum gambling age of 18. In Ontario, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and all other provinces, the minimum age for gambling is 19.
To visit a land-based casino in Canada, you must be 18 if you're based in Manitoba, Quebec, and Alberta, or 19 for all other provinces. There are currently nine provinces in Canada that offer land-based casino locations: Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan. In total, there are around 90 casino locations available in Canada.