Sports betting is legal in Canada. Parliament legalised both in-person and online sports betting in 2021. It did this by passing Bill C-218 to amend the Canadian Criminal Code to remove penalties for betting on sports online.
Since 2021, every province and territory has been in charge of developing their own laws for online sports betting. Most have created online sports betting sites through their lottery platforms. For example, Loto-Quebec has its Mise-o-jeu platform, while British Columbia has PlayNow and Alberta uses Play Alberta.
Ontario also has an online sports betting platform through the lottery, but it also has a regulated market for private sector sportsbooks (iGaming Ontario). No other province has done this yet.
Because other provinces do not have regulated markets, you can legally access offshore betting sites from them. However, offshore sites are not allowed in Ontario. All Ontario sports betting sites must have a license from iGaming Ontario.
Betting by Province
We’ve covered the status of online gambling nationally in Canada. Now, let’s dive in and look at each province individually.
- Ontario: Ontario opened its sports betting market in April 2022. All online sports betting in Ontario is regulated by iGaming Ontario and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. There are dozens of legal, licensed iGaming operators for you to choose from, including bet365 and Sports Interaction. You can also bet on sports through the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s Proline+ platform.
- Quebec: Quebec has one of the most tightly-regulated sports betting markets in Canada. Loto-Québec has publicly stated that it does not plan on opening the Québec sports betting market outside operators who can compete with its Mise-o-jeu sportsbook. However, all the best offshore online betting sites and Sports Interaction are available in Quebec.
- British Columbia: B.C. is more open to legal sports betting than most provinces, but it hasn’t gone as far as Ontario. There is no regulated market in B.C. and the only legal local sportsbook is the British Columbia Lottery Corporation’s PlayNow.com betting site.
- Alberta: Like British Columbia and Quebec, Alberta just has one legal sportsbook: Play Alberta. This platform has constantly innovated since the Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis Commission launched the platform back in 2020. We wouldn’t be surprised if Alberta becomes the second province to legalise all online casinos after Ontario. Until then though, you can use Play Alberta or offshore sports betting sites.
- Manitoba: Sports betting is legal in Manitoba, but there are no private sector operators. The province doesn't even have its own sports betting platform like Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec do. However, the BCLC’s PlayNow.com is available in Manitoba via a partnership with the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corporation. Offshore betting sites like Spinoli and 20Bet are also available to access legally.
- Saskatchewan: Sports betting in Saskatchewan is pretty much the same as in Manitoba. The sports betting market is not regulated and the only legal online sportsbook in Saskatchewan is PlayNow.com. This site is available through the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority. The Western Canada Lottery Corporation also has a Sports Select platform for in-person betting. Like everywhere else in Canada, offshore online betting sites are also available in Sask.
- Nova Scotia: Sports betting is legal in Nova Scotia, but its market is very limited. As one of the Atlantic provinces, in-person and online sports betting in Nova Scotia is legal through the Atlantic Lottery Corporation’s Proline Stadium sports betting platform. If this is not enough for you, Sports Interaction, Pinnacle, and other sites with licenses outside of Canada are also available.
- New Brunswick: The status of legal sports betting in New Brunswick is the same as Nova Scotia. Sports betting is legal, but Proline Stadium is the only local option. Offshore sites are a great alternative though.
- Newfoundland and Labrador: Canada’s easternmost province is a great place for sports bettors. Like in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, the ALC’s Proline Stadium is available for online sports betting and in-person bets. 20Bet, Sports Interaction, and other sites give you access to even more great betting markets.
- Prince Edward Island: If you live in the Gulf of St. Lawrence on Prince Edward Island, you can bet on sports legally. Again, the ALC’s Proline Stadium is the main sports betting platform available in PEI. However, offshore betting sites are also available.