Are Online Casinos Legal in Canada?
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.
Why Choose A Real Money Online Casino?
The thrill of gambling isn't really there without the monetary value, am I right? So we choose to play for real money for that simple reason. But it's important to play ay legal and safe sites when you're using your own money. That’s where I come in.
The casinos I recommend are all regulated and licenced by trusted authorities. Choose a real money online casino from the list on this page and you don’t have to worry about not being paid or bad customer service. The technology is tested so the games are fair, and all the casinos we list source their games from well known global gaming studios.
With that said, there are plenty of free options available. This comes in handy if you're unsure of which games to play, as trying them out for free doesn't cost you anything.
Real Money Casino Payments
When you’re playing for real money, this part obviously becomes very important. You want to make sure that the payment method of your choice is accepted, and if you’re claiming a bonus of any kind – know that the e-wallets Skrill and Neteller often are excluded.
You will be able to cash out bigger amounts with some payment methods, and sometimes smaller amounts with the fastest payout casinos. So, it’s worth checking out the options at a site before you sign up.
Once you’re ready to start, here is how deposits & withdrawals work:
- Register your account by creating a username and a password. Then fill in the remaining info required, like name and address.
- Confirm your account by clicking the email you should have received from the casino.
- Log in to your account and head to the cashier. You can then enter the amount you wish to deposit, hit confirm and start playing.
- If you’ve received a bonus – you need to meet any applied wagering requirements by playing. You’ll be able to withdraw once that’s been done, if you have winnings left in your account.
- Go back to the cashier and repeat the process in reverse: Enter the amount you want to withdraw and confirm. As long as the payment method you’ve selected can be used for withdrawals as well, your money will be sent to the same account automatically.
If you don't want to risk a lot of real money up front, consider starting with a 10 dollar deposit casino.
What To Look For When Selecting a Real Money Casino
Before I pick a site and start playing casino with real money, I consider a few different factors. Let’s go through the eight most important traits to look for during your search:
- Security and Licensing: A license from a respected regulator like the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, Malta Gaming Authority, or ACGO shows that the operator meets or exceeds the industry’s highest standards, including fairness, transparency, and security. Never play at an unlicensed site unless you want to risk being ripped off.
- Casino Games: The site you choose must have all your most beloved real-money casino games and then some. This includes exciting slots, big progressive jackpots, multiple table game variants, and popular live dealer options like game shows. More options equal more fun and a lesser chance of getting bored.
- Bonuses and Promotions: Valuable bonuses and regular promotions are great ways to put extra cash into your pockets. However, it’s also important to ensure that the terms and conditions attached to those offers are fair. This means low wagering requirements, fair time limits, and few game restrictions.
- Payment Methods: You need to find a safe, secure, and convenient way of depositing and withdrawing funds. The best online casinos for real money support various payment solutions, including debit cards, credit cards, eWallets, vouchers, and online banking.
- Payout Speed: Most casino buffs don’t want to have to wait to receive their winnings. While choosing the right payment option impacts withdrawal times, so does choosing a site that offers the fastest withdrawal processing times. Many of our top Canadian real money casinos offer instant withdrawals.
- Mobile Capabilities: The best real money online casino sites have HTML5-optimized mobile browser sites that allow you to play from almost anywhere as long as you have an internet connection. The best online casino Canada real-money sites also have dedicated apps you can download to your iOS or Android devices.
- Customer Support: When you gamble for real money online, you want to know that you can reach out for assistance if you have a question or issue. Top sites offer 24/7 support that you can contact using live chat or the telephone. They also have extensive FAQ sections for those who want to find the answers themselves.
- Responsible Gambling Tools: Real money means real risks. I strongly advise you to use the responsible gambling tools that are available. These include setting loss limits, deposit limits and taking time outs when you feel it is necessary. Any site that doesn't take responsible gaming seriously gets a thumbs down from us.