Legal Online Casinos in Canada – 2024
Legal online casinos are the best way to enjoy your favourite games, as these sites offer a fair and trustworthy gambling experience. However, finding the best sites can be tricky with so many options to choose from. That’s why our team at Casino of the Kings has tracked down the best legal online casino sites in Canada, so keep reading to find out more!
Legal Online Casinos For Canadians
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What is a Legal Online Casino?
The legality of best real money casinos in Canada is somewhat of a grey area. Many provinces only allow online gambling to be run by the provincial gaming regulator, preventing independent sites from operating within the province. However, it is legal for Canadian players to access and play at offshore casinos.
The only exception to this is Ontario; they allow independent casinos to obtain a license from their provincial gaming regulator. Ontario players can check the licences of gambling sites at iGaming Ontario site.
Regulatory Authorities and Legality
While the regulation and licensing of Canadian casinos happens at the provincial government level, there are key regulatory aspects that apply to legal casino sites around the world, such as:
- Licensed Operators. Every best online casino obtains licenses issued by local gambling authorities such as the Kahnawake Gaming Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority. These casinos must comply with strict regulations pertaining to site security, player safety, fair gaming, and financial management to obtain and keep their license.
- Player Protections. Regulated online casinos offer player safety measures to help minimize the risk of problem gambling. These include age and income verification, as well as responsible gambling tools such as deposit limits, wagering limits, and self-exclusion.
- Legal Recognition. Online gambling in Canada is legal, just like it is in many states, provinces, and countries throughout the world. Jurisdictions with legalized gambling typically regulate betting sites that offer games to their residents. This means that players are able to access their favourite games at casinos that are fair and trustworthy.
- Taxation and Revenue Generation. Many governments around the world recognize the benefits of regulated gambling as a way to generate tax revenue. This helps gambling websites become a force for good, providing much-needed funds to government projects and charitable organizations.
- International Standards. Getting a casino license is considerably easier in some jurisdictions than others, leading to a split between “reputable” and “unreputable” licences. To put players at ease and to make their site a more attractive option, some casinos will implement security features and fair gaming practices to bring them in line with international standards, even if they’re not required to by their regulator.
- Legal Advice. Your local government’s website should offer guidelines outlining the legality of online gambling within your country/province. If you’re still unsure whether online gambling is permitted in your location, we always recommend that you consult local legal advice.
Top 5 Legal Online Casinos 2024
After thoroughly researching and reviewing dozens of legal online gambling sites in Canada, our team has agreed on a list of the top casino sites available to Canadian players.
Zodiac
After testing this product, we were raving about the quality of games on the site, with titles such as Mega Moolah and Immortal Romance II available to play. They also loved the simplicity of the site design and the 24/7 support team.
Upon creating your account, you can earn 80 free spins on the Mega Money Wheel, with a top prize of C$1 million, just by depositing C$1. If that’s not enough, there are four subsequent deposit bonuses worth C$480.
JackpotCity
Perfect for gambling on the go, we were impressed by the quality of JackpotCity’s mobile gaming app. With games from giants such as Pragmatic Play and Microgaming, as well as generous bonuses and 24/7 support, JackpotCity is a top online option for Canadian players.
If you’re new, you can claim the site’s C$1,600 welcome package with matched deposit bonuses across your first four deposits plus 10 chances to become a millionaire.
Captain Cooks
With more than 20 years in the casino industry, Captain Cooks knows how to look after its players. Our team loved the variety of amenities on offer, including 24/7 support, a VIP programme, generous bonuses, and a downloadable PC gaming client.
New players can deposit C$5 and get 100 chances to become an instant millionaire. There are a further four deposit bonuses available totalling C$475 in bonus funds.
PlayOJO
Offering more than 3,000 casino games, our experts were blown away by the sheer variety of gaming options available. Despite the gargantuan library, the quality of the games remained top-notch thanks to collaborations with developers such as Play’n Go and Pragmatic Play.
When reviewing PlayOJO, one of the site’s best features is its lack of wagering requirements. New players get 50 free spins with no wagering requirements when they deposit C$10 or more, meaning they get to keep 100% of their winnings.
888casino
A giant of the online casino industry, 888 is renowned around the world for its quality gaming platform. Having sent our review experts to evaluate the site, they’re in full agreement! They said that the site oozes quality from top to bottom from its site design to its bonuses to its game library.
Every new player at 888 will receive a C$25 no deposit bonus after creating and verifying their account. Best of all, this bonus only has 1x wagering requirements, giving you a great chance to win at this real money casino.
How We Rate Online Casinos Legal in Canada
To find the best casinos for our readers, we employ a team of experts with years of experience reviewing and rating top online casino brands. They thoroughly investigate each site, working from our list of criteria that focuses on the areas that matter most to the average Canadian player, including:
Security & Licensing
Game Library
Bonuses & Promotions
Customer Support
Mobile Gaming
User Experience
Banking Options
Best Government-Licenced Casinos in Canada
While there are many offshore casinos available to Canadian players, some provinces have their own government-run casinos and lottery sites for players to enjoy. The proceeds from these games go back to the province, helping fund government programs and charitable organizations.
- PlayNow.com – Available to BC and Manitoba residents, PlayNow offers an impressive selection of gambling options, with live casino games, online slots, lotto games, live sports betting, and online poker all available.
- PlayAlberta.ca – Alberta’s only regulated online casino provides a hub of gambling activities. Players can purchase lotto tickets, play online casino games, and bet on the latest sporting events all in one convenient location.
- LotoQuebec.com – Espacejeux is Quebec’s provincial-run gambling platform offering a selection of top-quality casino games. Players can also enjoy online lotto games, instant win games, sports betting, and online bingo.
- OLG.ca – While Ontario has now opened its doors to independent online gambling operators, players can still enjoy the province’s first licensed casino. The site offers a choice of gambling options, including lotteries, sports betting, casino games, and instant win games.
- Sasklotteries.ca – Saskatchewan is behind the times when compared to its provincial counterparts as their government-run gambling site currently only offers lotto games.
- ALC.ca – ALC.ca is the official website of the Atlantic Lottery Corporation, offering residents the chance to gamble online and access various casinos in the province. The site provides a range of gaming options, including lottery games, sports betting, and online casinos in the province.
Popular Legal Online Casino Games in Canada
When playing at a legal online casino in Canada, you’ll find there are hundreds, if not thousands of gaming options available. To help you decide what to play when you join a legal casino online in Canada, our review team has listed the most popular gaming options.
- Baccarat – The game of choice of James Bond, baccarat is a card game found at many legal online casinos in Canada. The simplicity and excitement of the game make it a popular choice amongst Canadian casino players.
- Blackjack – A staple of any legal casino in Canada, online blackjack is a classic card game where players must beat the dealer by getting as close to 21 as possible without going over. The level of player agency makes for exciting gameplay and the low house edge makes it a great option for beginners and experienced players alike.
- Online Poker – Many online casinos in Canada with legal gaming offer an online poker client. In this game, players compete against one another to make the best hand or bluff their opponent off the best hand. Poker games like Texas Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha are not played against the house; instead, the house takes a small percentage of each pot to host the game.
- Online Slots – Online slot games are arguably the most popular casino gaming genre as they offer the most diverse range of game features, designs, and themes. Players can enjoy a variety of different slot types, including video slots, jackpot slots, and classic reel slots. The best legal online casino sites will offer hundreds of unique slot games with popular titles such as Starburst, 9 Masks of Fire, and Sweet Bonanza.
- Roulette – Another classic casino game, roulette is popular thanks to its accessibility and exciting gameplay. There’s no skill required, simply place your bets and watch with bated breath as the ball reaches its destination. Many legal Canadian online casino sites offer a choice of roulette games, including American Roulette, French Roulette, and Mega Fire Blaze Roulette.
Provincial Regulations on Online Gambling
In Canada, the regulation of online gaming is dealt with at a provincial government level rather than federal government level. This means that each province has different rules and regulations surrounding online gambling within their jurisdiction.
| Province | Legal Gambling Age | Gambling Regulator | Government Licensed Gambling Site |
| Alberta | 19 | Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis (ALGC) | playalberta.ca |
| British Columbia | 19 | Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB) | playnow.com/bc |
| Saskatchewan | 19 | Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) | sasklotteries.ca |
| Manitoba | 19 | Liquor, Gaming, and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba (LGCA) | playnow.com/mb |
| Quebec | 18 | Loto Quebec | lotoquebec.com |
| Ontario | 19 | Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) | OLG.ca |
| New Brunswick | 19 | New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation (NBLGC) | ALC.ca |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 19 | Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) | ALC.ca |
| Nova Scotia | 19 | Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation | ALC.ca |
| Prince Edward Island | 19 | Prince Edward Island Lotteries Commission | ALC.ca |
While each province has its own gambling regulator and licensed land-based casino, playing at an offshore online casino is legal for Canadian players. These casinos are licensed by independent gambling regulators, and we recommend the safest legal online casino sites.
Safety and Fairness in Online Gambling
Everyone here at Casino of the Kings is concerned about player safety and takes steps to ensure that we only recommend casinos that are licensed, regulated, and offer adequate player safety features. We encourage all of our readers to gamble responsibly and to make use of the responsible gambling tools found at our recommended casinos, including time outs, wagering limits, and self-exclusion.
Each province offers dedicated gambling support organizations, as well as the national ones we’ve listed below:
- Gamblers Anonymous – https://www.gabc.ca/
- Problem Gambling Helpline – 1-888-795-6111
- Canada Safety Council – https://canadasafetycouncil.org/gambling-addiction/
- Responsible Gambling Council – https://www.responsiblegambling.org/
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health – https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/problem-gambling
- Gambling Therapy – https://www.gamblingtherapy.org/
Future of Legal Online Gambling Industry
To sum up, playing at a legal casino in Canada is the best way to ensure a fair, regulated, and secure gaming experience. We have recommended many legal casinos with fantastic features, and we encourage our readers to only play at legal sites for their own safety. To find out more about these great sites, make sure you check out our honest casino reviews.
FAQ
- Is it legal to play for real money online at casinos in Canada?
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To play at online casinos in Canada is legal. Some provinces offer government-run casinos for their residents. But Canadian players may access offshore casinos as online gambling is legal at licenced sites.
- Are online casino winnings taxable?
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Online casino winnings are not considered taxable income in Canada. The only exception to this rule is professional gamblers who must pay income tax on their gambling profits.
- Can online slots be rigged?
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Online slots run by unlicensed and unregulated casinos can be rigged; however, casinos that are fully licensed and regulated will not risk rigging their games as they will lose their license and the trust of their customers.
Article by
Jordan Conroy
