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Gambling in Canada

Canada is easily one of the best destinations for casinos and other forms of gambling

There is no denying that the gambling industry is different in different countries. However, when we talk about Canada, then gambling and casinos are pretty much legal all across the country. That said, the activities might be regulated slightly differently based on the province or territory you are located in.

Unless you are gambling on an online casino game like the Karamba Casino in Canada, which by the way is highly recommended for both old and new players, there are certain laws and regulations that you need to know which are:

Legal Gambling

There are various kinds of legal gambling in Canada viz. slot machines, video lottery terminals (VLTs), commercial casino operations, ticket lotteries etc. Again, you may notice some differences in the variety depending on the province or territory you are located in.

Age Restrictions

Age restrictions for gambling in Canada are based around the drinking age itself. However, you have to be at least 19 years old if you want to step into a casino in Canada save for Quebec, Manitoba, and Alberta where you need to be at least 18 years old. This age restriction also applies to the restaurants and theatres in the casinos.

Sports Betting

According to the Criminal Code of Canada, betting on a single sports event or athletic event is not permitted. However, you are authorized to bet on multiple matches in a sports tournament. This is called placing a parley rather than a bet. That said, efforts are now being made to allow betting on single events with organizations that are based in Canada.

Laws by the Provinces

The gambling situation in Canada is different in each province. Below, we discuss some of the major ones:

  • Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia is known for fishing and agriculture. However, it’s also a hub for professional and casual gamblers. There are many horse racing tracks in the area viz. Northside Downs, Inverness Raceway, and Truro Raceway and different kinds of gambling games to try.
  • New Brunswick: Residents of New Brunswick have access to a wide range of gambling activities that include sports betting, lottery, video lottery terminals, etc. In fact, the province was the first in Canada to introduce Video Lottery Terminals in 1990.
  • Ontario: Ontario is the biggest province in Canada in terms of population. It also has a large number of casino establishments (over 25, to be precise) which include those run by the government and also private entities. There are also facilities for lottery that are run by Gaming Corporation and Ontario Lottery, and slot games at racetracks and other locations, etc.
  • Saskatchewan: According to a survey, people in Saskatchewan spend more money on gambling than any other province. Just like other provinces, there are plenty of casino games here including video lottery terminals, horse racing, sports betting, and lottery.
  • British Colombia: Gambling culture is pretty strong in British Columbia, thanks to the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. There is charitable gambling that includes games like wheel of fortune, ticket raffles, etc. sports betting in convenience stores, and of course casinos that are over 15 here.

Summing it Up

Overall, Canada is easily one of the best destinations for casinos and other forms of gambling. While charitable gambling is highly popular here, online gambling and land-based casinos also get loved equally.

If you have read the information shared above carefully, then you know some of the most important things that you need to know about the gambling culture in Canada. As you can see, there is a lot to do and explore in this domain and you can expect to have a great time if you are visiting with family or friends.


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