Sports Betting Canada Legal
If decriminalized, provinces and territories would be given the responsibility of regulating and licensing websites and in-person businesses that allow betting on single sports events. Right now, it’s only legal in Canada to place bets when multiple outcomes are paired together, which is known as a parlay. Yes, online sports betting is legal if you’re a Canadian resident. However, there are a few things that you should know, and consider, before engaging in online sports betting. Sports Betting Laws (parlays) One of the quirks of the Criminal Code is that it stipulates that it is against the law to bet on a single sport event or athletic contest. Authorized betting operators only permit sports punters to bet on the outcome of multiple matches in, say, the National Hockey League. This bet is called a parlay. Online sports betting in Canada is as popular as it is something of a legal ambiguity.i Gambling falls under the legislative jurisdiction of Canada’s Criminal Code which has undergone many revisions since its creation in 1892. These alterations for the most part reflect a tendency towards liberalization generally speaking, and gambling is.
Commercial content 18+
Yes, online sports betting is legal if you’re a Canadian resident. However, there are a few things that you should know and consider before engaging in online sports betting.
Legal Bookmakers for Online Sports Betting in Canada
| Legal bookies in Canada | Welcome bonus | Ranks | Visit the site |
|---|---|---|---|
| No active offer | 4/5 | ||
| Up to $250 in free bets | 4/5 | ||
| Up to $100 welcome bonus | 3,5/5 | ||
| 100% bonus up to $200 | 3/5 | ||
| 100% deposit bonus up to $100 | 3/5 | Visit Betway.com |
William Hill T&Cs:
New customers with CAN250 sign up code only. 50% Free bet up to $,€ 50 on the first stake, min odds 1.50 (1/2), net win only. 4 x $,€ 50 free bets credited after placing a total of 12 further bets (3 bets for each $,€ 50 free bet) with min odds of 1.50, min stake $,€25. Free bets expire in 7 days. Player restrictions and free bet terms apply.
As you will find, some of the top online gambling sites have actually barred off users from Canada due to the uncertainties of the current laws in place – and the potential changes that could come about in the near future.
The main thing to keep in mind is that laws are always changing and that one of the possible reasons that online sports betting is legal in Canada may be because the laws are yet to adapt to the phenomenon that is online gambling.
(Warning! Laws are constantly changing and any advice given in this article is an overview of the situation at the time of writing.)
As it stands, there is yet to be anyone prosecuted for online betting without it being related to other illegal activities, such as identity fraud or gambling underage.
However, in Canada, each Province can make their own laws on gambling, and the legal age differs from province to province.
Legal Age of Gambling in Canada
Here’s a breakdown of how old you have to be in each state of residence in Canada:
| Province / Territory | Legal Age of Gambling |
| Alberta | 18 years old+ |
| Nunavut | 19 years old+ |
| British Columbia | 19 years old+ |
| Manitoba | 18 years old+ |
| Yukon Territory | 19 years old+ |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | 19 years old+ |
| New Brunswick | 19 years old+ |
| North West Territories | 19 years old+ |
| Nova Scotia | 19 years old+ |
| Ontario | 19 years old+ |
| Quebec | 19 years old+ |
| Saskatchwan | 19 years old+ |
The Criminal Code of Canada allows you to bet on three or more games in an accumulator (as opposed to betting on single matches). However, various sites reports that there is a strong push being made to change that law to allow for singles to be wagered on.
Per the same source, “the Criminal Code may prohibit Canadians from participating in gambling on a website located in another country, there is no mechanism to effectively enforce the prohibition.”
So a legal issue from offshore sites could arise, but many experts think not, due to the precedent set by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission – where the Kahnawake Mohawk Nation, whilst being a sovereign nation, has been allowed to run online gambling in Canada, and host numerous other betting sites, without being prosecuted.
Sports Interaction, a Canadian-based sports betting site, is declared by many as their favorite sports betting site. Possibly due to the it’s ease of use and neat design.
However, as Canadians are allowed to use any online gambling site, there are more options:
- Pinnacle if you’re a fan of esport
- William Hill if you want to bet but also play casino games.
You can use a Pinnacle VIP code or William Will promo code while registering on one of these websites.
Canadian residents should not fear legal ramifications from their participation in online gambling, whether they decide to bet with a company based in Canada or abroad.
The laws are ever-changing but, if the laws are ever amended, it seems as though Canada will remain quite liberal with online sports betting.
But for your own protection, double-check your online gambling provider to see if they have a license – be they based overseas or in Canada.
What do you think of the legislation in Canada? Let us know in the comments below! An check out our article on what’s the legality of online poker in Canada!
Commercial content 18+
Yes, online sports betting is legal if you’re a Canadian resident. However, there are a few things that you should know and consider before engaging in online sports betting.
Legal Bookmakers for Online Sports Betting in Canada
| Legal bookies in Canada | Welcome bonus | Ranks | Visit the site |
|---|---|---|---|
| No active offer | 4/5 | ||
| Up to $250 in free bets | 4/5 | ||
| Up to $100 welcome bonus | 3,5/5 | ||
| 100% bonus up to $200 | 3/5 | ||
| 100% deposit bonus up to $100 | 3/5 | Visit Betway.com |
William Hill T&Cs:
New customers with CAN250 sign up code only. 50% Free bet up to $,€ 50 on the first stake, min odds 1.50 (1/2), net win only. 4 x $,€ 50 free bets credited after placing a total of 12 further bets (3 bets for each $,€ 50 free bet) with min odds of 1.50, min stake $,€25. Free bets expire in 7 days. Player restrictions and free bet terms apply.
As you will find, some of the top online gambling sites have actually barred off users from Canada due to the uncertainties of the current laws in place – and the potential changes that could come about in the near future.
The main thing to keep in mind is that laws are always changing and that one of the possible reasons that online sports betting is legal in Canada may be because the laws are yet to adapt to the phenomenon that is online gambling.
(Warning! Laws are constantly changing and any advice given in this article is an overview of the situation at the time of writing.)
As it stands, there is yet to be anyone prosecuted for online betting without it being related to other illegal activities, such as identity fraud or gambling underage.
However, in Canada, each Province can make their own laws on gambling, and the legal age differs from province to province.
Sports Betting Legal In Canada
Legal Age of Gambling in Canada
Here’s a breakdown of how old you have to be in each state of residence in Canada:
| Province / Territory | Legal Age of Gambling |
| Alberta | 18 years old+ |
| Nunavut | 19 years old+ |
| British Columbia | 19 years old+ |
| Manitoba | 18 years old+ |
| Yukon Territory | 19 years old+ |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | 19 years old+ |
| New Brunswick | 19 years old+ |
| North West Territories | 19 years old+ |
| Nova Scotia | 19 years old+ |
| Ontario | 19 years old+ |
| Quebec | 19 years old+ |
| Saskatchwan | 19 years old+ |
The Criminal Code of Canada allows you to bet on three or more games in an accumulator (as opposed to betting on single matches). However, various sites reports that there is a strong push being made to change that law to allow for singles to be wagered on.
Per the same source, “the Criminal Code may prohibit Canadians from participating in gambling on a website located in another country, there is no mechanism to effectively enforce the prohibition.”
So a legal issue from offshore sites could arise, but many experts think not, due to the precedent set by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission – where the Kahnawake Mohawk Nation, whilst being a sovereign nation, has been allowed to run online gambling in Canada, and host numerous other betting sites, without being prosecuted.
Sports Interaction, a Canadian-based sports betting site, is declared by many as their favorite sports betting site. Possibly due to the it’s ease of use and neat design.
However, as Canadians are allowed to use any online gambling site, there are more options:
- Pinnacle if you’re a fan of esport
- William Hill if you want to bet but also play casino games.
Canada Legalizes Sports Betting
You can use a Pinnacle VIP code or William Will promo code while registering on one of these websites.
Canadian residents should not fear legal ramifications from their participation in online gambling, whether they decide to bet with a company based in Canada or abroad.
Canada Legalizing Sports Betting
The laws are ever-changing but, if the laws are ever amended, it seems as though Canada will remain quite liberal with online sports betting.
But for your own protection, double-check your online gambling provider to see if they have a license – be they based overseas or in Canada.
What do you think of the legislation in Canada? Let us know in the comments below! An check out our article on what’s the legality of online poker in Canada!