The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms ensures that your access to online gambling provided by operators outside Canada cannot be blocked by either Federal or Province law. This court ruling was affirmed by the Court of Appeal on May 5, 2021.
Nor can Province laws restrict internet gambling because this is legislated under the exclusive powers of the federal government in relation to telecommunications and criminal law.
In short, it is completely legal for you to gamble for real money online in Canada and you can choose any Canadian online casinos that take your fancy. So, yes, online casinos are legal in Canada!
Having said that, Provinces are empowered to pass their own gambling legislation, most notably, the Ontario casino market has a highly competitive landscape where the best real money casinos in the world are fully licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission.
First Nations also have some rights in this area, so the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke has established a very successful gambling regulator, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission which licenses many overseas real money casinos.
I strongly recommend that you play at casinos which are regulated in a reputable jurisdiction. You will get the most protection if you play at a Province regulated site, however the major brands that I recommend are regulated in multiple jurisdictions and have a reputation for being safe places to play.
Canadian Province and Territory Real Money Casino Regulators
The Canadian Province and Territory real money casino regulators are:
- Alberta: Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis Commission.
- British Columbia: Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch of the Ministry of Finance.
- Manitoba: Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba.
- New Brunswick: Gaming, Liquor and Security Licensing Branch of the Department of Justice and Public Safety.
- Newfoundland and Labrador: Consumer Affairs Division of Digital Government and Service NL.
- Northwest Territories: Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.
- Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation.
- Nunavut: Department of Health.
- Ontario: Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
- Prince Edward Island: Prince Edward Island Lotteries Commission & Consumer, Corporate and Insurance Division of the Department of Justice and Public Safety.
- Québec: La Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux & La Société des loteries du Québec.
- Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority & Indigenous Gaming Regulators (licenses and regulates charitable gaming activities located in certain First Nations).
- Yukon: Professional Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Branch of the Department of Community Services.
Registering at any real money casino site follows a similar process, mandated by regulators through "Know Your Customer" (KYC) procedures to prevent underage gambling and money laundering. Despite these measures, registration is quick and straightforward, taking just a few minutes. Importantly, you don’t need to download the mobile app before registering.
- ✅ Click on the link provided for one of our recommended casinos to visit the official site. This can be done on either your mobile device or desktop. Your login will work seamlessly across both platforms.
- ✅ Locate the Register button, typically found at the top right corner of the screen, and click it to open the registration form.
- ✅ Fill in your personal details as requested.
- ✅ If a bonus code is listed on our site, enter it in the designated field to ensure you receive the bonus and any additional perks we've arranged for you.
- ✅ Confirm that you are over the minimum age required to play by ticking the relevant boxes. Note that some sites have specific age requirements, such as Caesars Palace Online Casino, which requires you to be over 21, even if the provincial regulator sets a lower age limit.
- ✅ Submit your details by clicking the appropriate button.
That's it! You’re now ready to deposit funds and start playing real money casino games. This is also an excellent opportunity to explore the responsible gaming features your chosen online casino offers. These may include options to set deposit limits, loss limits, or playing time restrictions. Even if you don’t feel at risk of problem gambling, these tools can help you maintain control over your gambling habits.
If you want to play real-money online casino games, you’ll have to deposit real money into your casino account first. Don’t worry – this is a very easy process. The first step is to open an account at one of the recommended sites on this page. Once you have signed up and logged in, simply follow these steps.
- Go to the cashier. You can usually get there by clicking on your account balance or a “Deposit” button at the top of the site’s main page.
- Select the “Deposit” tab at the cashier to bring up the deposit form.
- Fill out the deposit form. In most cases, you just have to enter the deposit amount, although you may also be asked to choose a welcome bonus.
- Submit the deposit form. You will see that the deposited funds have immediately been credited to your casino account. You can now start playing real online casino games.
Top Tip
Always check out the welcome bonus conditions before you make your first deposit. Make your first deposit get the maximum value from the promo that is available.
After you’ve claimed your online casino bonuses and tried your hand at some exciting games, you’ll want to cash out your winnings. Follow my simple step-by-step guide to quickly and easily withdraw:
- Before cashing out your winnings for the first time, you’ll need to verify your account by uploading copies of your proof of identity and address.
- Next, head back to the “Cashier” page and pick “Withdrawal”.
- Select your preferred payment method and input the amount you wish to withdraw. Remember to make sure you’ve met all bonus T&Cs, such as wagering requirements, before cashing out your winnings.
- Now, finalize the transaction. The time it takes for your funds to reach your account will depend on your chosen payment method.