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19+Canadian Gambling Rules

Gambling Laws in Canada

Last reviewed: · Based on official government and regulator sources

This page summarizes the main differences in online gambling laws by province, based on official provincial and federal sources. The tables show details for each province; here we highlight key variations. Rules cover minimum age, which sites are legal to use, and how gambling companies may advertise.

How old you must be

Ontario requires you to be 19 or older to gamble online[1]. British Columbia requires you to be 19 or older to gamble online[2]. Saskatchewan requires you to be 19 or older to gamble online[3]. Nova Scotia requires you to be 19 or older to play online gambling games[4]. New Brunswick requires you to be 19 or older to gamble, including online[5]. Newfoundland and Labrador requires you to be 19 or older to gamble, including online[5]. Prince Edward Island requires you to be 19 or older to gamble, including online[5].

Alberta requires you to be 18 or older to place bets online[6]. Quebec requires you to be 18 or older to gamble online[7]. Manitoba requires you to be 18 or older to gamble online[8].

“How do you know a player is at least aged 19 and in the province of B.C. when they access BCLC games over the Internet?”— BCLC - eGaming FAQs [2]
At a glance, by province
ProvinceMinimum ageOnline gamblingHelp line
Alberta18+ [6]Regulated open market [9]1-866-332-2322[10]
British Columbia19+ [2]Provincial platform only [2]1-888-795-6111[11]
Manitoba18+ [8]Provincial platform only [12]1-800-463-1554[13]
New Brunswick19+ [5]Provincial platform only [12]1-800-461-1234[14]
Newfoundland and Labrador19+ [5]Provincial platform only [12]811[15]
Nova Scotia19+ [4]Provincial platform only [4]—
Ontario19+ [1]Regulated open market [16]1-866-531-2600[17]
Prince Edward Island19+ [5]Provincial platform only [12]1-855-255-4255[18]
Quebec18+ [7]Provincial platform only [19]1 800 461-0140[20]
Saskatchewan19+ [3]Provincial platform only [21]1-800-306-6789[22]

Who may offer online gambling

Ontario has a regulated open market where multiple private operators may offer online gambling after registering with the AGCO and contracting with iGaming Ontario; the market opened on April 4, 2022[16]. Alberta's regulated online gambling market launched on July 13, 2026[9]. In provinces without an open market, the only legal online gambling option is the provincial platform: PlayNow in British Columbia[2], Manitoba[12] and Saskatchewan[21]; lotoquebec.com in Quebec[19]; and ALC.ca in Nova Scotia[4], New Brunswick[12], Newfoundland and Labrador[12] and Prince Edward Island[12].

“In Manitoba, MBLL is the designated authority and PlayNow is the only legal online gambling site”— Atlantic Lottery - Court bans illegal offshore gambling site in Manitoba [12]

Bonus and 'free' offers

Ontario's advertising rules prohibit public promotion of gambling bonuses, credits and other inducements; such offers may only appear on an operator's gaming site or be sent to players who have consented to direct marketing[23]. Under Ontario's standards, an offer cannot be called "free" or "risk-free" if the player must risk or lose their own money, and the material conditions must be shown when the offer is first presented[24].

“Not be described as free unless the inducement, bonus or credit is free.”— AGCO - Registrar's Standards for Internet Gaming [24]

Spotting a regulated site

In Ontario, regulated gambling sites display the iGaming Ontario and BetGuard logos, and iGaming Ontario publishes an official directory of all regulated sites[25]. In provinces without an open market such as British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces, the only legal online gambling option is the provincial platform[26].

“Saskatchewan people who wish to gamble online can do so safely and securely on PlayNow.com, which is the only legal online gaming platform”— Government of Saskatchewan - Beware of Fake Online Casinos and Other Illegal Operators [26]

Free, confidential support

Ontario offers ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600, 24/7[17]. British Columbia's Gambling Support BC is available 24/7 at 1-888-795-6111[11]. In Alberta, the Addiction and Mental Health Helpline provides 24/7 support at 1-866-332-2322 or Health Link 811[10].

Saskatchewan offers free 24-hour help at 1-800-306-6789[22]. Manitoba's Gambling Helpline is available 24/7 at 1-800-463-1554[13]. Quebec's Jeu : aide et référence offers free, confidential, bilingual help 24/7 at 1-800-461-0140[20]. New Brunswick provides free and confidential help at 1-800-461-1234[14]. Newfoundland and Labrador offers free, confidential help 24 hours a day at 811[15]. Prince Edward Island's Gambling Support Line is available 24/7 at 1-855-255-4255[18].

About the demos on this site

The slot demos on Canadian Free Slots are free to play: there are no deposits, no bets and no prizes. We found no rules aimed specifically at free demo sites where no money is involved; the rules above apply to real-money gambling.

Sources

  1. iGaming Ontario - Player FAQs
  2. BCLC - eGaming FAQs
  3. Government of Saskatchewan - PlayNow.com launch news release (Nov 2022)
  4. Nova Scotia - Atlantic Lottery Regulations (Gaming Control Act)
  5. Atlantic Lottery - Knowing the risks of buying tickets for minors
  6. Government of Alberta - Alberta iGaming Fact Sheet
  7. Loto-Québec - Specific Conditions of Use (lotoquebec.com)
  8. PlayNow Manitoba - Help and FAQs
  9. Government of Alberta - Alberta's iGaming Strategy
  10. Alberta Health Services - Addiction Helpline
  11. Gambling Support BC - Home
  12. Atlantic Lottery - Court bans illegal offshore gambling site in Manitoba
  13. Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries - Finding Help
  14. New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation - Responsible Gaming
  15. Government of Newfoundland and Labrador - Help Lines and Navigator
  16. AGCO - Frequently Asked Questions: Internet Gaming
  17. ConnexOntario - Home
  18. Government of PEI - PEI Gambling Support Line
  19. Loto-Québec - 100% legal and local casino and sports betting website
  20. Loto-Québec - Jeu responsable
  21. Government of Saskatchewan - SIGA online exclusivity extended (Aug 2026)
  22. Government of Saskatchewan - Problem Gambling Help Line
  23. AGCO - Advertising and Marketing in Ontario's iGaming Market
  24. AGCO - Registrar's Standards for Internet Gaming
  25. iGaming Ontario - Regulated iGaming Market
  26. Government of Saskatchewan - Beware of Fake Online Casinos and Other Illegal Operators

This page summarises public information and is not legal advice.

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