Emma Larsson
Facts VerifiedVerified by Head of Content: Alec Martinez
Updated: 13.10.2024It’s hard to find another industry that has grown as quickly as the iGaming industry has over the last few decades. Even though the first online casino opened in 1994, players didn’t really get into the idea of gaming online until much later.
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In 2022, the industry was worth more than $80 billion around the world. It is expected that this amount will rise to $131 billion by 2027, when 233.7 million people will have chosen to bet online. 46.8% of Canadian players are likely to use online sites to place their bets, making the country the leader in this area.
Since there are already a lot of companies in Canada, it’s not a surprise that the country will be at the front of this trend. But Canadian players need to know the rules about gambling in their country.
If you want to bet in Canada, one of the first things you should know is that it is officially illegal to do so. That’s right, the Criminal Code of Canada doesn’t allow any games of chance. However, it does let provinces legalize gaming as long as they control all related activities in their own areas.
Because of this rule, almost all of Canada’s provinces officially allow gaming. Yukon, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories are the only ones that don’t have well-developed gambling laws, and it doesn’t look like anyone is trying to change this.
Canadians can play at a lot of internet casinos in provinces that have laws that enforce them. The province has strict rules that these casinos have to follow, and they are regularly checked to make sure they do.
Ontario is one of the best examples because it has done a lot to set up a stable and flexible legal system for internet gambling. Ontario made a big step forward in 2021 when iGaming Ontario (iGO), a branch of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), opened for business. The AGCO is in charge of overseeing all gaming in the state and making sure that all service providers have the right licenses.
In order to speed up the license process, iGaming Ontario was formed to help companies meet the standards to enter the Ontario market. Even though owners still have to register with the AGCO, iGO helps them figure out the law so they can legally run their businesses.
Players from states that don’t have as many limits on gaming can easily access the best online casinos that are based outside of Canada. Many of these online casinos freely accept Canadian players and even let them bet with Canadian dollars.
These companies don’t have to follow Canadian rules because they are not based in Canada. They can’t be punished under the Canadian Criminal Code. Because of this, some players might be extra careful when they use these sites.
But there isn’t much to worry about as long as players stick to casinos with good reputations. Even though these casinos aren’t approved by the Canadian government, many of them are controlled by other groups, like the UK Gambling Commission, and are safe places to play.
The age at which you can legally gamble is one of the most important rules to know. In Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec, you have to be 18 to get married. In most other states, like Ontario and British Columbia, you have to be 19 or older to bet, though. If you try to bet when you’re not old enough, you could spend up to two years in jail.
The last thing you might think about when you win at gaming is taxes. But in many parts of the world, they can take a big chunk of your gains. This isn’t true in Canada, though.
The Canadian government doesn’t see winning at gaming as a regular source of income, so you can keep any money you win. This goes for money won at online casinos, raffles, sports betting, live games and other gambling games.
The rules are different, though, if you bet for a living or if gaming is your main source of income. In this case, you’ll have to pay income tax on your wins, and it’s best to talk to a tax expert to make sure you’re following the law.
Verified by Head of Content: Alec Martinez
