Gambling Laws in Canada

The nation of Canada is a unique blend of natural beauty and urban modernity.
From the frozen tundra of Nunavut to the steel and glass skyscrapers of Toronto,
the world’s second-largest country in terms of total area has a lot to brag
about. This sense of national pride also applies to their robust gaming
industry, as well as the gambling laws created to keep it running efficiently.

While other nations across the planet swing wildly from one extreme to the
other on the question of gambling, the citizens and lawmakers of Canada have
managed to take an even-handed approach despite the allure of easy money. In
most cases, the laws remain flexible while still keeping the welfare of the
public in mind at all times.

In this report, it’s my goal to provide you with an overview of the gambling
laws in Canada, specifically as they apply to various forms of gaming. I’ll also
include additional statistics and factoids in order to add a greater layer of
depth and distinguish this document from those of a similar nature.

Please keep in mind, however, that I am not a lawyer. The legal landscape of
gambling in any nation can change rapidly, so even the most well-intentioned
information can become outdated within a short span of time. If you want to be
cautious, it’s always best to consult with an attorney or email a government
agency directly before embarking on the life of a high-rolling Canadian gambler.

Illegal Gambling in Canada

Several decades ago, illegal gambling in Canada was largely the domain of
organized crime. And since most forms of gambling were outlawed throughout the
country prior to 1970, these unsavory individuals had plenty of chances to ply
their trade.

That slowly began to change in 1970, when certain previously-illegal gaming
activities were made accessible to the average citizen. Another major leap took
place in 1985, when provinces and territories were given the right to oversee
activities such as slots, charitable gaming, and lotteries.

While modern organized crime figures still rely on illegal gambling as a
primary source of revenue, the practice has also been adopted by a more
tech-savvy generation of independent crooks. In either case, these unscrupulous
individuals bilk customers, rig sporting events, and avoid paying their fair
share of taxes. This has resulted in a greater burden for city and provincial
law enforcement, as well as national organizations such as the Canadian Security
Intelligence Service and Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The Criminal Code of Canada deals with a wide array of illegal gambling
offenses, but the following are the most common:

• Section 201 – Includes a large number of offenses, but the most common involves keeping a common gaming or betting house.
• Section 202 – Deals with illegal betting, book-making, and pool-selling.
• Section 206 – Offenses related to lotteries and other games of chance.
• Section 209 – Cheating at games of chance with the intent to defraud either the customer or house.

In July of 2010, the above offenses were adjusted in the Criminal Code to be
considered “serious offenses.” Under the laws of Canada, a serious offense is
indictable under the code or act of Parliament, and the federal government
doesn’t need to bring the matter before Parliament as an amendment to the
existing legislation.

While some serious offenses within Canada carry a maximum prison term of five
years, gambling-related offenses often fall significantly short of this mark.
Most are limited to two years imprisonment, while an offense such as knowingly
keeping a common betting house is limited to no more than six months in jail and
a $5,000 fine.

When compared to their neighbor to the south, Canada has rather lenient
gambling laws. This is in keeping with their desire to be a more progressive
nation, reserving long stretches of prison time for crimes such as murder and
rape.

This certainly applies to major gaming operations such as
land-based casinos, but it also applies to charitable options such as bingo and
raffles.

Online gambling often falls into something of a grey area. Canadian law
doesn’t prohibit the practice of betting via the Internet, but it does require a
service to be licensed or owned by a provincial government in order to be
considered legal. This hasn’t prevented over 1,000 unlicensed offshore sites
from offering their services to Canadian citizens.

One case of prosecution involving online gambling came when British Columbia
went after Delaware-based Starnet Communications International and forced them
to forfeit almost $4 million in revenue. Another example occurred in 2013, when
Ontario authorities conducted 10 raids, charged 19 people, and seized more than
$2 million in funds from users of Platinum Sports Book.

Luckily, despite all this, there are still plenty of safe online gambling sites
for Canadian players. Casumo is currently our most trusted site for Canadian vistors.
If you haven’t already, check them out today!

Gambling in the Provinces

The nation of Canada is divided into 10 provinces, including the following:
Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, British Colombia, Prince
Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. Each
province is a self-governing entity, with power granted to the various
lieutenant governors by the federal government, and any major changes in this
relationship require an alternation to the nation’s constitution.

In this section, we’ll examine the current gambling laws in each of the
nation’s 10 provinces, especially as they relate to the average citizen.

Gambling Laws in Ontario

Ontario has the highest population of all Canadian provinces, and over 90% of
residents in Southern Ontario are within a one-hour drive of a legal gaming
establishment. Considering this last fact, it should come as no surprise that a
2011 poll found that 82.9% of adults within the province had admitted to
gambling at least once during the calendar year. If you want to be included in a
future percentage, give one of these legal forms of gambling a try:

• Casinos

  Over 25 land-based casinos are active in Ontario, and these
  range from privately-owned entities to charitable locations run by the
  government.

• Slot Machines

  In addition to casinos, slots may be found at racetracks
  and other select locations. There are more of these gaming devices in
  Ontario than any other province in Canada.

• Horse Racing

  Quarter horse, Standardbred, and thoroughbred racing is
  available at racetracks from Ottawa to Fort Erie. These tracks enjoyed great
  success when slot machines were added in 1998, but their withdrawal by the
  government in 2013 has resulted in a massive downturn.

• Sports Betting

  Players may use the Pro-Line service to wager on
  multiple types of sports through the Internet or land-based lottery centers.
  At least two games must be wagered on, although the customer can choose from
  a number of betting options such as the point spread or over/under.

• Lottery

  In addition to national lottery drawings, residents can take
  part in provincial drawings that are administered by the Ontario Lottery and
  Gaming Corporation. Ontario boasts one of the largest lottery networks in
  North America, and in 2011 their fiscal revenue was in excess of $3 billion.

• Charitable Gaming

  This includes raffles and bingo. The Ontario Lottery
  and Gaming Corporation oversees licensing of such games, and they also
  manage a number of eBingo websites. Along with various lottery games, bingo
  generates the largest amount of gaming revenue for Ontario.

Gambling Laws in Quebec

Quebec has been offering legal games of chance since 1970, and the available
options have continued to grow over the decades. If you find yourself in this
predominantly French-speaking province, here are the most readily available
forms of legal gambling:

• Casinos

  Quebec currently has nine land-based casinos, and these are
  popular with both locals and neighboring residents in New York, Vermont, New
  Hampshire, and Maine. All activities are overseen by the Quebec Alcohol,
  Racing, and Gaming Commission.

• Horse Racing

  Only one race track currently exists in the state, and it
  primarily offers harness racing. In addition to placing wagers at the track,
  bettors can also pick their favorite ponies at several off-track facilities.

• Lottery

  A wide range of lottery games are offered, from Lotto Max and
  Quebec Extra to Tout ou Rien. Drawings are held on a daily basis, and the
  lottery represents the oldest form of legal gambling within Quebec.

• Online Gambling

  Residents can play at any online site that’s willing
  to accept them, including the government-owned Espacejeux. This may soon
  change, however, as the Quebec government has announced plans to block any
  online gaming site that’s not approved and licensed by Loto-Quebec.

• Sports Betting

  Legal residents of Quebec can wager on sports teams or
  individual athletes through a game known as Mise-O-Jeu. Players can wager on
  two to eight options, although all picks must be successful in order to
  receive a payout. Wagers can be made online or at participating locations
  such as convenience stores.

• Video Lottery Terminals

  Quebec was one of the last provinces to offer
  video lottery terminals. In 1994, it was estimated that over 40,000 illegal
  machines were in operation within the province. That number has dropped
  substantially since over 12,000 VLTs have been legally placed in select
  brasseries, bars, and gaming hall complexes.

• Bingo & Charitable Gaming

  From bingo and Kinzo to raffles, all
  charitable gaming within the province is regulated and licensed by
  Loto-Quebec.

Gambling Laws in Nova Scotia

The second-smallest province in Canada in terms of area, Nova Scotia is known
for agriculture and fishing. They also have a respectable gaming scene, with 87%
of adults playing games of chance at least once a year (for an average annual
expenditure of $609). The following forms of legal gaming are available
throughout the province:

• Lottery & Charitable Gaming

  Video and ticket lotteries, as well as
  other charitable games such as bingo, fall under the domain of the Atlantic
  Lottery Corporation. Tickets can be purchased online or from over 1,000
  retailers throughout the province.

• Casinos

  There are two land-based casinos in Nova Scotia, and both are
  government owned. Casino Nova Scotia has locations in Halifax and Sydney,
  and both facilities offer traditional slots and table games. The average
  payback percentage for slots, as reported by the Nova Scotia Provincial
  Lotteries and Casino Corporation, is 92%.

• Horse Racing

  Three legal horse racing tracks are currently available
  in Nova Scotia: Inverness Raceway, Northside Downs, and Truro Raceway. A
  handful of teletheatres are also available for those who want to bet but
  can’t make it to the track.

• Sports Betting

  The Atlantic Lottery Corporation uses the Pro-Line
  system to allow residents to wager on sports. A minimum of two athletes or
  teams must be wagered on in parlay fashion, and this is common throughout
  the nation. Customers must be 19 or older in order to participate.

• Online Gambling

  The province offers no gaming sites of their own, but
  residents can still seek out thousands of offshore casinos and sportsbooks
  without fear of legal troubles.

• Video Lottery Terminals

  There are over 2,700 VLTs in Nova Scotia at
  more than 300 licensed retailers. The average prize payout ranges from 93%
  to 95% of the total wagers. Legal games are only found in age-restricted
  locations such as bars and liquor stores.

Gambling Laws in New Brunswick

Even though the population of the province stands at less than one-million,
residents have a wide range of legal gambling activities to choose from. These
include:

• Video Lottery Terminals

  In 1990, New Brunswick became the first
  province to introduce video lottery terminals. The minimum payback
  percentage required by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation is 80%. Almost all
  of the province’s 2,000 machines, however, have a 93% payout.

• Casinos

  The only casino in the province is located in Moncton, and it
  contains an assortment of slots, table games, and poker.

• Horse Racing

  Permanent racetracks are located in Saint John and
  Fredericton, while the Great Western Fair circuit brings the excitement of
  racing to various regions of the province on a rotating basis. As of 2015,
  off-track betting facilities were available in Dieppe and Quispamsis.

• Online Gambling

  Residents can choose from a large number of offshore
  casinos and sportsbooks, although none of these are regulated by the
  government. In recent years, New Brunswick has openly discussed the idea of
  launching their own casino website in the mold of Manitoba and British
  Columbia.

• Sports Betting

  The Atlantic Lottery oversees Pro-Line, a parlay-style
  sports betting game that can be purchased online or through hundreds of
  licensed dealers.

• Lottery

  Lottery tickets can be legally purchased at over 900
  land-based dealers. Drawings and payouts are conducted by the Atlantic
  Lottery Corporation.

• Charitable Gaming

  Over 800 charitable licenses are currently issued to
  non-profit organizations within the province. Raffles are the most common,
  although bingo remains the most popular gambling activity among adults 65 or
  older.

Gambling Laws in Manitoba

Gambling is legal in this western Canadian province, and activities are
overseen by the Liquor and Gaming Authority of Manitoba (which was created in
2014 by combining the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission and the Manitoba Gaming
Control Commission). Residents and visitors can enjoy the following legal forms
of gambling within the borders of the province:

• Online Gambling

  After British Columbia enjoyed success with a
  government-owned gaming website, Manitoba adopted the same business model in
  2013. While over 1,000 unlicensed casinos and sportsbooks are available from
  offshore operators, PlayNow Manitoba is the only one operating within the
  borders of the province.

• Casinos

  Manitoba has a mixture of government-owned and First Nations
  casinos. Winnipeg has two of these facilities, and both are owned by the
  provincial government.

• Horse Racing

  Both thoroughbred and Standardbred races are conducted in
  the province, and Assiniboia Downs is the only permanent track for such
  events. Winnipeg has several off-track betting facilities, and both live and
  simulcast events are overseen by the Manitoba Horse Racing Commission.

• Lottery

  The Western Canada Lottery Corporation offers lottery tickets
  and scratch-off cards. These can be purchased online or at licensed
  retailers such as convenience stores.

• Charitable Gaming

  Not-for-profit organizations within Manitoba can
  apply for a license to conduct one of the following forms of charitable
  gaming: bingo, raffles, breakopen, Monte Carlo, Calcutta auction, sports
  draft, and Texas Hold’em poker tournament.

• Sports Betting

  The Sport Select system allows players to wager up to
  $250 per day on two or more sporting event outcomes. The minimum age to play
  is 19, and participants can choose from options such as props, pools, and
  over/unders.

• Video Lottery Terminals

  These games of chance are confined to VLT
  lounges throughout the province and overseen by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries.
  The three most popular versions of the game are spinning reel, poker, and
  keno.

Gambling Laws in British Colombia

The British Columbia Lottery Corporation has been offering gaming to BC
residents for more than three decades, and the available gaming options have
continued to grow over the years. Whether you live in British Columbia or
neighboring U.S. states such as Oregon and Washington, here are the legal forms
of available gaming:

• Lottery

  The British Columbia Lottery Corporation has been offering
  government sanctioned games since 1985. Players must be 19 or older to buy a
  ticket, and winners have one year from the draw date to claim their prize.

• Horse Racing

  Fraser Downs is the only active track in BC. For those
  who don’t want to drive to Surrey, off-track simulcasts can also be enjoyed
  at over 15 locations throughout the province.

• Casinos

  There are over 15 casinos within the province, with a single
  facility belonging to the First Nations. The largest in terms of gaming
  space is Hard Rock Casino Vancouver, and it contains 1,000 slots, 70 table
  games, a poker room, and 8 baccarat tables in a high-limit room.

• Charitable Gaming

  Non-profit organizations may apply for a license to
  conduct one of the following charitable events: ticket raffles, bingo,
  poker, wheel of fortune, and social occasion casinos.

• Online Gambling

  The only regulated and entirely legal gambling site in
  BC is PlayNow, which is owned by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation.
  Launched in 2004, the site contains sports betting, lottery, bingo, poker,
  and casino games.

• Sports Betting

  Tickets are available in convenience stores and other
  licensed locations. Players must wager on at least two games, and most
  contests require a 100% winning percentage in order to receive a payout.

Gambling Laws in Prince Edward Island

Consisting of one major island and 231 smaller ones, Prince Edward Island is
the smallest province in Canada. The Prince Edward Island Lotteries Commission
has been overseeing gaming in the region since its creation in 1976. Even though
the province consistently has one of the lowest gambling rates, the following
types of gaming are offered:

• Sports Betting

  The Pro-Line service allows anyone 19 or older to make
  parlay bets on various sporting events. Tickets may be purchased online or
  at licensed land-based retailers.

• Lottery

  The provincial lottery is operated by the Atlantic Lottery
  Corporation.

• Horse Racing

  There are two race tracks on Prince Edward Island:
  Charlottetown Driving Park and Summerside Raceway. Unfortunately, there are
  no off-track betting facilities currently in operation.

• Video Lottery Terminals

  In 2003, the Atlantic Lottery Corporation
  became the sole VLT operator for Prince Edward Island. In 2008, an
  initiative was enacted to reduce video lottery sites by 50% and the number
  of terminals by 20%. In 2014, there were 268 terminals at 39 sites, and
  rules were relaxed to allow these devices to operate every day of the week.

• Charitable Games

  Non-profit organization can apply for a license to
  conduct charitable games such as bingo, raffles, and lottery-style contests.

• Online Gambling

  Offshore gambling is unregulated, but it remains
  available to any PEI resident who can locate a site willing to accept their
  patronage.

• Casino

  The only legal casino is actually a “racino,” as it combines
  harness racing and casino-style gaming. Blackjack, poker, and slots are
  available, and anyone over the age of 19 can take part.

Gambling Laws in Newfoundland and Labrador

Located in the easternmost section of Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador
allows most forms of gambling within its borders. The most notable exception is
land-based casinos, although First Nations tribes do have the right to open
their own facilities. The following forms of gambling are currently legal within
the province:

• Charitable Gaming

  Charitable gaming such as raffles and bingo are
  overseen throughout the province by the Department of Government Services,
  and over 3,800 charitable licenses are currently in use.

• Lottery

  Managed by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation, this provincial
  lottery offers top jackpots ranging from $10 million to $50 million. Tickets
  may be purchased online or at one of over 1,000 licensed retailers.

• Horse Racing

  St. John’s Racing and Entertainment Centre is the only
  legal horse racing track currently operating in Newfoundland. In addition to
  live racing, patrons can also take advantage of simulcasting facilities to
  enjoy races from other Canadian tracks, as well as annual events such as the
  Kentucky Derby. This form of entertainment is co-regulated by Standardbred
  Canada and the Canadian Pari-mutuel Agency.

• Video Lottery Terminals

  Overseen by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation,
  more than 2,000 of these devices are present at 500 age-restricted retailers
  across the province. The minimum payout percentage is set at 80%, while the
  more generous machines have a maximum of 93%.

• Online Gaming

  Since land-based casinos are currently banned in the
  province, numerous citizens turn to the Internet to get their gaming fix.
  While no sportsbooks or virtual casinos are located in Newfoundland, there
  are over 1,000 offshore sites willing to accept players.

• Sports Betting

  The Pro-Line service offers parlay sports wagering to
  anyone who meets the minimum age of 19 (which is also the legal drinking age
  in Canada). Tickets can be purchased for as little as $2, while the maximum
  daily wager is capped at $250.

Gambling Laws in Saskatchewan

According to a study conducted by Statistics Canada, residents of
Saskatchewan spend more per household on gambling than any other province. If
you happen to be a citizen of this sunniest part of Canada, here are the legal
gaming pastimes currently available:

• Video Lottery Terminals

  These machines have been present in the
  province since 1993. A cap of 4,000 machines has been set, and there were
  3,991 at 620 sites as of March 2015. Revenue from the games goes to the
  government’s General Revenue Fund. For 2014-15, the provincial net income
  from VLTs was $179.6 million.

• Charitable Gaming

  Any not-for-profit organization may apply with the
  Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority for a license to conduct bingo or
  raffles.

• Casinos

  The province has six casinos run by the Saskatchewan Indian
  Gaming Authority, as well as two more operated by the Saskatchewan Gaming
  Corporation. In the case of First Nations casinos, revenue is split between
  the First Nations Trust, the government’s General Revenue Fund, and
  Community Development Corporations.

• Lottery

  This form of gambling has been available in the province since
  1974. Operated by Saskatchewan Lotteries, proceeds are used to fund more
  than 12,000 groups.

• Sports Betting

  Sports Select offers legal parlay betting on the
  following sports: baseball, basketball, hockey, football, and soccer. Wagers
  generally range from $2 to $100.

• Online Gambling

  While online gaming providers are prohibited from
  being based in the province, offshore sportsbooks and casinos are still free
  to offer their services to residents.

• Horse Racing

  There are three legal tracks operating in the province,
  although the West Meadows Raceway was forced to temporarily halt business in
  2014. A few provincial teletheatres also exist, allowing patrons to take
  advantage of off-track betting facilities.

Gambling Laws in Alberta

The largest of the Prairie Provinces in terms of population, Alberta has a
long tradition of sports and gambling. They receive over 4% of their budget from
gambling revenue, which is more than any other province in the nation.
Unfortunately, a 2013 study showed that half the revenue came from problem
gamblers, which means the province has a long way to go in terms of identifying
and treating gambling addiction. Some of the most popular legal forms of gaming
in Alberta include the following:

• Horse Racing

  Legal horse racing is available in Alberta at the
  following: Alberta Downs, Century Downs, and Northlands Park. In addition,
  15 teletheatres are also available in such diverse locations as Leduc and
  Peace River.

• Video Lottery Terminals

  Managed by the Alberta Gaming and Liquor
  Commission, these devices are located at age-restricted, liquor-licensed
  facilities across the province. Retailers are limited to 10 machines, while
  gaming centers can have from 15 to 30. Over 6,000 are currently in
  operation.

• Sports Betting

  The Sport Select service allows players to wager on two
  or more games in parlay style. No more than $250 in wagers can be made per
  day.

• Casinos

  Over 25 casinos are located in Alberta. Most of these are
  charitable operations, which means the casino splits the profits with
  various charities throughout the region. A couple of government-owned
  casinos are also present, as well as a handful that are operated by the
  First Nations.

• Online Gambling

  Residents of Alberta can gamble at online casinos and
  sportsbooks without any limitations.

• Lottery

  Drawings occur daily and are overseen by the Western Canada
  Lottery Corporation.

• Charitable Gaming

  In addition to most of the casinos in the province,
  Alberta also offers legal charitable gaming such as bingo and pull tickets
  to qualified non-profit groups.

Gambling in the Territories

In addition to the provinces, Canada includes the territories of Yukon,
Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories. These areas are smaller in terms of
overall population (a combined 107,265 in May 2011), and they are largely
administered by the federal government. To many Canadian residents and
foreigners, this entire region is simply known as “The North.”

In this section, we’ll look at the gambling laws of Canada as they apply to
each territory. While opportunities for legal games of chance are rare in these
regions, they still exist if you know where to look.

Gambling Laws in the Yukon

With a sparse population of just over 34,000, the Yukon is not known as the
gambling center of Canada. A few legal opportunities do exist, however,
especially for those living in and around the territorial capitol of Whitehorse.

• Charitable Gaming

  Under the law of the Yukon, only non-profit groups
  are allowed to host charitable gambling events as a fundraising method.
  These groups must first be approved by the Registrar of Lotteries, and they
  must also obtain a license for bingo, raffle, or lottery. In addition to
  giving away money, lotteries and raffles in this territory are also known
  for giving away meat and other forms of food.

• Lottery

  The Western Canada Lottery Association gives Yukon residents
  the opportunity to win millions of dollars through the purchase of a single
  ticket.

• Three-Day Casinos

  Permanent casinos are not allowed in the Yukon,
  although temporary gaming establishments may be permitted for no more than
  three days at a time. These events require a casino license, and they can
  only be conducted by a religious or charitable not-for-profit organization.
  Games such as blackjack, roulette, and wheels of fortune are permitted, and
  all patrons must be at least 19 years of age to participate.

  The only semi-exception to this rule is Diamond Tooth Gertie’s Gambling
  Hall. This Dawson City landmark holds the distinction of being Canada’s
  oldest casino, and it operates during the months of May through September.
  All proceeds are invested back into the town, making it a permanent
  not-for-profit structure. Available games include roulette, poker,
  blackjack, and slots.

• Sports Betting

  Legal sports betting is available through a service
  known as Sport Select, allowing residents to wager on their favorite CFL or
  NHL teams (among others). Options such as futures and over/unders are
  available, although the customer is always required to make a parlay bet on
  two or more teams.

• Online Gambling

  Residents can legally place bets over the Internet,
  whether it involves an online sportsbook or casino. It doesn’t matter if the
  provider is located within Canada or at an offshore location.

Gambling Laws in Nunavut

Nunavut is the newest and least populated territory in Canada, and the
capitol of Iqaluit only has slightly more than 7,000 inhabitants. Despite its
remote location and harsh weather conditions, the region offers a surprising
number of legal gambling options to its citizens. While each of the following
are legal under Yukon law, keep in mind that the limited population might
prevent all of these options from being continuously available.

• Video Lottery Terminals & Slots

  These free-standing games of chance
  with random number generators can sometimes be found in bars and taverns
  throughout Nunavut.

• Charitable Gaming

  This applies to bingo, pull-tickets, poker
  tournaments, raffles, and temporary casino-style gaming. Residents must be
  at least 16 to play pull-ticket games, and charitable casinos must cease
  operation by 2am on Monday through Friday and midnight on Saturday. For
  Texas Hold’em tournaments, the maximum entry fee per player is limited to
  $100.

• Lottery

  Residents can play the national lottery conducted by the
  Western Canada Lottery Corporation. Tickets can be purchased at licensed
  retailers or through the official online site.

• Sports Betting

  Despite a complete absence of professional, semi-pro,
  or collegiate sports teams, Nunavut residents may wager on everything from
  basketball to American football courtesy of Sport Select. This service is
  available online and at select retailers, and it allows customers to choose
  from props, pools, point spreads, over/unders, and several more options. A
  minimum of two games must be wagered on for any given ticket, and all
  selections must be correct in order for the player to receive a payout.

• Online Gambling

  Just like in other parts of the nation, Internet
  gambling is legal within the borders of Nunavut. This applies to both online
  sportsbooks and casinos, although those in more remote locations may have to
  struggle with a lack of Internet service.

• Horse Racing

  While this sport is allowed in Nunavut, there are no
  permanent tracks or regularly-scheduled events within the territory.

• Private Wagers between Residents

  This is one of the most common forms
  of gambling due to the small size of the territory, and private wagers
  between adults are not subject to government regulations.

Gambling Laws in the Northwest Territories

The most populous of the three Canadian territories, the NWT is comprised
primarily of Aboriginal peoples. The climate is harsh by most standards, ranging
from polar to subarctic. But despite unpleasant weather conditions and differing
cultural backgrounds, gambling and games of chance are still popular with local
residents.

According to territorial law, the following pastimes are currently legal
within the Northwest Territories:

• Lottery Games

  This category includes casino-style lotteries, bingo,
  raffles, and Nevada or pull-tickets. These may only be conducted by
  non-profit organizations, and a license is required before they can be
  legally offered. All lottery games within the territory are regulated by the
  department of Municipal and Community Affairs, although they are also an
  associate member of the Western Canada Lottery Corporation.

• Land-based Casinos

  There are no laws prohibiting land-based casinos in
  the Northwest Territories. Despite this fact, there seems little interest in
  building such a facility due to the low population and remote location.

• Sports Betting

  Governed by the NWT Lotteries, this form of gambling is
  legally available online or at land-based retailers through the Sport Select
  brand. Players can wager on the results on most major sporting events and
  choose from a variety of options such as over/under and point spread. A
  maximum of $250 can be wagered at a single location per day, and each ticket
  must be in the form of a parlay (which requires the customer to correctly
  predict the outcome of two or more events).

• Online Gambling

  From online sportsbetting to virtual casinos, all
  forms of Internet gaming can be legally enjoyed by the residents of the
  Northwest Territories.

Conclusion

Canada is a diverse country that promotes the celebration of various
cultural, religious, and racial backgrounds. The same can be said of their
gambling landscape, as a wide range of gaming pastimes are legally available
throughout the nation’s 10 provinces and three territories.

Charitable and online gambling are two of the most common, with the former
providing much-needed income for non-profit organizations such as churches. The
latter is available throughout the country with few regulations, which marks a
distinct difference between Canada and the heavily-regulated Internet gaming
climate of the United States.

Casinos are also prevalent and legal throughout the nation, especially in
southern provinces such as Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. These come in
all shapes in sizes, from those owned by First Nations tribes to establishments
operated by the Canadian government. In addition to local residents, casinos
near the U.S. border also draw a sizeable number of foreign patrons.

Unlike the United States, sports betting is widely available throughout the
provinces and territories of Canada. However, this form of gambling is commonly
limited to parlay bets, requiring customers to successfully wager on two or more
games in order to receive a cash payout.

Ultimately, the nation of Canada seems to have found a perfect approach to
conducting legal gambling within its borders. Most forms of gaming are allowed,
although reasonable laws and regulations exist to keep the hobby from becoming a
detriment to its citizenry. While no system is perfect, the model conducted by
the lawmakers in the Great White North stands as a shining example for all other
nations.