Is Gambling Legal In Ontario
- Is Gambling Legal In Ontario Canada
- Is Online Gambling Legal In Ontario
- Is Gambling Legal In Ontario California
An illegal casino operation in Ontario is shedding light on how VIP gamblers have been filling the void caused by the COVID-19 shutdown of legal venues. As noted above, gambling in Canada is a provincial Crown monopoly pursuant to section 207 of the Code. With very limited exceptions such as those for charities and local fairs, no person other than a provincial government is legally permitted to supply gambling facilities or services in Canada.
Ontario is taking the first steps to allowing private sector operators to run online gambling sites in the province. New legislation will create an entity under the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario to oversee the sector, according to a provincial official who asked not to be identified, citing government policies that prohibited them from speaking publicly. That’s right, there are no casinos in Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Newfoundland & Labrador. On the other hand, Ontario has the most casinos in Canada – 25. Additionally, First Nations are in charge of many casinos in Canada. Online Gambling. Is this even legal? Unlike casino gambling, online gambling in Canada is not exactly. Minimum age requirements for legal gambling correspond with the legal drinking age mandated by the individual provinces and territories. Nineteen is the legal minimum gambling age at casinos throughout most of Canada, but 18 is the legal gambling age in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec. Indian Casinos In Canada.
Legal Betting FAQ: Terrestrial and online gambling laws of Ontario in 2020.
Ontario is perhaps the most famous of all provinces in Canada. It is certainly the most populated of them all, home to 38% of the nation’s total population, and the second largest by area. Its capital of Toronto hosts an impressive collection of professional sports teams, including the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs, NBA’s Toronto Raptors, and MLB’s Toronto Blue Jays.
Ontario has a bustling economy, driven largely by manufacturing and natural resources. Tourism is another major economic driver, greatly spurred by the presence of the majestic Niagara Falls. Residents of the province tend to visit the area more than one might think necessary; not to see the famous Horseshoe so much as to visit the multitude of local attractions. These include a pair of world-class, integrated commercial casino resorts. Tourists are drawn to these, as are the locals – many of which have displayed an affinity for both live and online gambling entertainment.
The area’s gambling enthusiasts among the luckiest in Canada, having access to so many different wagering opportunities, both on land and online. Today, we’ll be looking at all these forms of gambling to determine what is legal, what is illegal, and what might fall somewhere in between those lines.
Terrestrial and Online Gambling Laws of Ontario
In the following context you’ll find a complete, Q&A-based reference guide to Ontario gambling laws that is short, factual and easy to understand. Note that all of the information provided is current as of February 2020.
What forms of gambling are legal in Ontario?

– Horse Racing (Quarter Horse, Standardbred, Thoroughbred)
– Lottery (OLG)
– SportsBetting (Pro-Line)
– Casino gambling (slots, tables, etc.)
– Poker
– Charity (bingo, raffles)
Who regulates gambling in Ontario?

Almost all gambling activities in Ontario are regulated by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG). Lottery sales, including number draws, scratch offs and Pro-Line sports lottery tickets, are managed directly by the OLG. The gaming regulator licenses and monitors all commercial casinos, poker rooms and charitable gaming facilities, most of which are managed by third-party operators.
Throughout all of Canada, horse racing is overseen by the federal government. Tribal casinos are also out of provincial control, being operated by their respective First Nation tribes. These are the only types of gambling OLG has no real authority over.
What do Ontario online gambling laws cover?
Online gambling is 100% legal in Ontario. It is one of just a few Canadian provinces to address online gambling directly in its law books. Ontario chose to legalize and regulate internet gambling with the launch of PlayOLG.ca in 2015.
PlayOLG is accessible only to adult residents of Ontario who have not voluntarily self-excluded themselves from provincially licensed gambling activities. It offers a wide range of gambling options on desktop or mobile; lottery sales, horse race betting and an assortment of casino games, including slot machines, table games, video poker, and progressive jackpot games.
Is it legal to gamble at offshore gambling sites?
Yes. Despite having access to a home-grown iGaming destination, gambling with internationally regulated online casinos is not illegal in Ontario. The Criminal Code of Canada stipulates that gambling houses with a physical presence in a province, are only illegal if they are not licensed by that province. Being located overseas means international online gambling sites are not subject to Canadian law.
In short – and mind you, numerous legal authorities have agreed with this point – because offshore iGaming operations are not explicitly illegal in Ontario, they are legal.
Is single-event sports betting legal in Ontario?
No. Single-event sports betting is not currently permitted in Ontario. That is one area of the law that is mandated on a federal level, and upheld by all provinces and territories of Canada. Sports betting is only legal when multiple picks are made (i.e. parlay betting). Ontario offers such wagering via the Pro-Line sports lottery, available online at PlayOLG.ca and in countless retail locations across the province.
It is worth noting that, while single-event sports betting cannot be conducted within Ontario, it is perfectly legal outside of Canada. Ontarians can partake in the wagering opportunities of internationally regulated online sportsbooks with no threat of legal recourse.
Furthermore, Ontario’s sports fans will soon be able to cross the border into the US state of Michigan to place single-event sports wagers. Michigan legalized sports betting, online and on land, in December 2019, and is projected to begin launching sportsbooks in March 2020
Are gambling winnings taxable?
No. Canadians are not required to pay taxes on gambling winnings, with just a few rare exceptions. If the individual is a professional gambler, they may have to claim gambling winnings and losses on their income tax (learn more here). Moreover, if an Ontarian wins a sum of money equal to or exceeding $1,200 from a US-based casino, they must fill out a tax form right there on the spot to give the US government its due. In no other circumstance are Canadians required to pay taxes on gambling winnings; including winnings from international online casinos.

Is it safe to gamble at offshore online gambling sites?
Since the online gambling laws of Ontario were passed, resulting in the 2015 launch of PlayOLG, Ontario has offered the safest form of iGaming in the province. That’s not to say that offshore gambling is hazardous, so long as you know what to look for in a safe and reputable online gaming site.
First and foremost, an operator should be regulated in a respectable jurisdiction; i.e. The UK, Malta, Alderney, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, etc. European authorities such as these hold all licensees to the strictest standards, and are swift to penalize any operator for evidence of non-compliance.See our Gambling Safety Tips to learn more.
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Is Gambling Legal In Ontario Canada
- In Canada, legalized gambling exists under the authority of the federal Criminal Code of Canada
- However, each province and territory is responsible for their gambling operations
In Ontario, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLGC) is responsible for gaming operations including: province-wide lottery games, charity and aboriginal casinos, slot facilities at race tracks and commercial casinos (Casino Rama, for example). - You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase lottery tickets in Ontario, or enter a casino. Under legislation passed in 1997, it is a provincial offense, punishable by significant fines, to sell OLGC tickets to anyone under the age of 18.
- OLGC lottery products cannot be purchased over the Internet.
Is Online Gambling Legal In Ontario
Where Can You Gamble?
- There are 4 commercial casinos, and 5 charity casinos in Ontario. These casinos have 630 table games and 13,930 slot machines.
- There are 16 slot machine at facilities varying racetracks in Ontario.
- The OLGC is responsible for province-wide lottery games, charity and aboriginal casinos, slot facilities at racetracks, and commercial casinos.
- There are more than 10,600 OLGC lottery retailers across the province offering 12 different lottery games.
- Approximately 8,600 of these retailers operate video lottery terminals for computer-generated games.
Is Gambling Legal In Ontario California
Sources: Azmier, Jason. 2005. Gambling in Canada 2005: Statistics and Context. Canada West Foundation. Calgary, Alberta.
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, Annual Report 2004, “Winning Against the Odds”. www.olgc.ca