Gambling in Canada was first legalized in 1969 via lotteries, with the individual provinces and territories being given control of their local gambling industries in 1985. Since then, the provinces have progressively opened traditional land-based casinos or launched Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs).
Online gambling entered the scene in the last couple decades. Each province has its own timeline for legalizing online gambling, but at this point you can gamble online anywhere in Canada! A web search will result in dozens of legitimate online casinos for Canadians to enjoy (in Quebec, try “casinos en ligne” for the best Francophone results).
You’ll find local gambling options in nearly every province and territory. Ontario is special for being the only part of Canada with an independent licensing and regulatory commission for online casinos based in the province: iGaming Ontario.
Canada’s First Nations are also home to many regulated casinos, both land-based and online.
The Cree, Sioux, Chippewa, and Cowichan tribes, among others, run major casinos. Some nations like the Kahnawake Territory even have their own regulatory commissions that issue casino licenses.
Across Canada, the legal age to gamble is 19 or older with no other prerequisites to start playing today! You’ll enjoy tax-free gambling winnings in Canada, as your winnings aren’t considered taxable income unless you’re a professional gambler.