Canada
The Canadian gaming industry Gold Rush has started, here are some regulatory aspects to consider
Gambling Regulations in Canada
Online gambling is a great way to have some fun. However, the trade is a regulated industry. Different countries have different laws and regulations that govern all forms of gambling. Being aware of the regulations can make you safe. In this article, we take an expert look at gambling regulations in Canada.
Any Unregistered Gambling Company is Unlawful
In Canada, any form of gambling not licensed by the Canadian government is illegal. This law applies mostly to physical location-based casinos as well as raffles and bingos. Even so, online gambling is still a grey area. Gambling legislation in Canada doesn’t necessarily prohibit betting through online casinos. However, the betting company must be owned by a provincial administration or be licensed to operate.
Even so, Canadians still access hundreds of offshore betting companies. Such companies are available on the World Wide Web, hence accessible via the Internet. In this case, they are not answerable to the Canadian government. Therefore, they operate freely on the Internet.
Anyone above 19 years in Canada (or above 18 in Alberta and Quebec) can gamble. However, the user should conduct due diligence on the betting company to ascertain its registration and regulation. This is important to avoid losing money on fake sites that trick people. A fully registered online casino comparison website such as Stashbird, is free to operate in Canada. Hence, it is a safe place to begin your search for a lawful gambling site.
Different Provinces Have Own Gambling Laws
Even though gambling is mainly legal in Canada, different provinces and territories have their own gambling regulations. Here is a quick look at some regions and their gambling laws.
Ontario
This province has some of the most relaxed gambling laws in Canada. Here you can play at the regulated Pro-Line or PlayOLG, which are government-managed. Gambling using offshore online casinos remains unregulated.
Quebec
Quebec is also a relatively liberal province. Users can bet using offshore platforms. One can also bet using Espacejeux, which is government-run.
British Columbia
Here, there are 15 physical, legally regulated casinos. In addition, one can bet using PlayNow, the only Canadian sports and betting site available in British Columbia.
Manitoba
Manitoba’s Liquor and Gaming Authority regulates all betting casinos (offline and online) in the province. PlayNow is also the only government-licensed online platform available in the region. Users are also limited to a maximum spend of C$250 per day.
Yukon Territory
Operating a physical casino in Yukon Territory is prohibited. However, various venues can access temporary licenses, but only for three days maximum. In addition, online licensed casinos are unavailable, but offshore betting remains largely unregulated.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Here, the law prohibits physical casinos from operating. Regulated gambling sites are also unavailable. However, one can place bets to a maximum of C$250 per day using the Pro-Line government service.
New Brunswick
Land-based casinos can operate, but only one venue is available in the entire province. The only regulated betting site is Pro-Line.
Nova Scotia
There are two government-owned casinos in Nova Scotia. Pro-Line service is also available for parley gaming.
Saskatchewan
There is a strict regulation against online casinos in Saskatchewan. However, it is possible to play using offshore platforms.
Northwest Territories
No land-based betting halls exist here. Online casinos are also non-existent, even if allowed by the law. The only legal gambling service is Sport Select.
The Take-Away
Gambling in Canada seems like a complex affair, especially when you are new to the country’s gaming laws. However, some legit betting sites have a customer care expert who can answer some of your questions. When you visit any online casinos, ask questions from their experts before betting with them. In this way, together with your background checks, you will be sure that you are betting on a regulated site. There you go! You now have an idea of the gambling regulations in Canada. Always remember to gamble responsibly.
Canada
Relax Gaming joins forces with PointsBet to strengthen footprint in Ontario
Relax Gaming, the iGaming aggregator and supplier of unique content, has significantly enhanced its presence in the Ontario market through an agreement with leading Canadian operator, PointsBet.
This partnership reinforces Relax Gaming’s aim to become a standout provider across North America, having already gained early success in Ontario. Relax became one of the first suppliers to deliver content to the region’s players in March 2022, debuting with over 120 games across multiple operators.
PointsBet pride themselves as one of Canada’s leading operators offering unmatched speed, ease of use, and a comprehensive array of pre-game and in-play sports betting options. This is complemented by a top-tier online casino which will now be boosted with the integration of Relax’s portfolio of slots and live dealer options.
With its authentic Canadian approach, PointsBet prioritises technology that minimises external dependencies to maintain control over its platform and has a commitment to responsible gambling best practices, ensuring a safe and secure environment for all players.
Martin Stålros, CEO at Relax Gaming, said: “Since we launched in Ontario we have enjoyed tremendous success, with our content hitting the sweet spot for the broad range of players in the Canadian province. This partnership with PointsBet will strengthen our presence in the market as the region’s leading operator integrates our rich content portfolio which will engage its player base.”
Scott Vanderwel, Chief Executive Officer at PointsBet, added: “Relax Gaming has established a strong reputation across North America and in Ontario in particular. The impressive range of content that will be integrated into our platform will increase engagement within our online platform and we are delighted to be able to provide more immersive experiences to our audiences.”
Established as one of the industry’s leading B2B suppliers, Relax Gaming was awarded GGA’s Product Launch of the Year in February 2023 for Dream Drop Jackpots. Money Train 3 names the 2023 CasinoBeats Game Developer Awards amongst its 6 Slot of the Year titles, while the brand also won the award for Skill Games Supplier at the 2023 EGR B2B Awards along with the Innovation in Mobile award at the 2023 SBC Awards.
Relax Gaming provides more than 4,000 online casino games, from its high-performing proprietary slots to a significant, varied library of content from hand-picked third-party studios via its partnership programmes.
Canada
Jackpot Digital Receives Approval from the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority
Jackpot Digital, a leading manufacturer of electronic multiplayer dealerless poker tables, has announced that it has received approval from the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) to act as a registered supplier of gaming supplies and services to regulated casinos in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.
The approval follows the Company’s news release dated February 6, 2024, announcing the signing of a licensing agreement with the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) to install the Company’s Jackpot Blitz dealerless poker ETGs into SIGA casinos.
SIGA operates seven casinos and Playnow.com in Saskatchewan. At the outset, SIGA proposes to install Jackpot Blitz machines at its Dakota Dunes and Gold Horse Casino properties, located in Saskatoon and Lloydminster, respectively.
Jackpot CEO Jake Kalpakian said: “We are excited to receive approval as a gaming equipment supplier in Saskatchewan. This represents the first major jurisdictional, non-tribal license received by Jackpot during our continuing expansion into the land-based casino market. We have many more license applications underway in the US and other Canadian provinces, which will dramatically impact our ability to accelerate the rollout of Jackpot Blitz across North America.”
Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation
Play Alberta, CSEC Extend Partnership
Teams under the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (CSEC) banner have expanded their long-term partnership with Play Alberta, the province’s premier iGaming destination. As part of the agreement, the Flames will feature AGLC’s responsible gambling program, GameSense, on their home helmets and a Play Alberta insignia displayed on their home jerseys. The Stampeders, Wranglers, and Roughnecks will integrate the Play Alberta logo onto their uniforms.
“There’s significant importance now to showcase meaningful responsible gambling efforts in the iGaming industry. I’m proud of our initiatives to provide GameSense with such a visible platform. GameSense promotes healthy gambling habits online and in person and including AGLC’s responsible gambling platform over the course of this partnership is a huge accomplishment,” Kandice Machado, Chief Executive Officer at AGLC.
The agreement makes Play Alberta the exclusive sports betting and online gaming partner of the Flames, Wranglers, Stampeders, and Roughnecks. Through the partnership, Play Alberta and CSEC will develop unique partnerships and in-arena giveaways during the season.
“Through GameSense, our partnership with Play Alberta equips our fans with the knowledge required if they wish to participate in gaming while they support their home team. We are both proud and excited to extend our relationship with Play Alberta that makes cheering for our teams that much more fun while also generating revenue to support the quality of life for Albertans,” said CSEC President and CEO Robert Hayes.
Alberta is the first jurisdiction in North America to partner with professional sports franchises and integrate PlayAlberta.ca and social responsibility branding onto uniforms. It upholds AGLC’s commitment to responsible play, raising awareness of GameSense and Self-Exclusion, resources that give bettors the tools they need to make healthy gambling choices.
In addition, proceeds generated through the website go toward the province’s General Revenue Fund. In 2023–24, $235 million was generated for programs and services that Albertans rely on every day through Play Alberta, an increase of more than $42 million from the previous year.
-
gaming2 years ago
ODIN by 4Players: Immersive, state-of-the-art in-game audio launches into the next generation of gaming
-
EEG iGaming Directory8 years ago
iSoftBet continues to grow with new release Forest Mania
-
News7 years ago
Softbroke collaborates with Asia Live Tech for the expansion of the service line in the igaming market
-
News6 years ago
Super Bowl LIII: NFL Fans Can Bet on the #1 Sportsbook Review Site Betting-Super-Bowl.com, Providing Free Unbiased and Trusted News, Picks and Predictions
-
iGaming Industry7 years ago
Rick Meitzler appointed to the Indian Gaming Magazine Advisory Board for 2018
-
News6 years ago
REVEALED: Top eSports players set to earn $3.2 million in 2019
-
iGaming Industry7 years ago
French Senator raises Loot Boxes to France’s Gambling Regulator
-
News7 years ago
Exclusive Interview with Miklos Handa (Founder of the email marketing solutions, “MailMike.net”), speaker at Vienna International Gaming Expo 2018