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 | |
 | Bet €10 Get €30 in free bets 18+. New customers using Promo code TOP30 only, Min £10/€10/$10 stake, min odds 1.5, free bets paid as 2 x £15/€15/$15, free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is settled, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. See full terms below. Play responsibly. Gamblingtherapy.org | 4/5 | |
 | 3,5/5 | ||
 | 3/5 |
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.”
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 (read our Sports Interaction review to learn more).
However, as Canadians are allowed to use any online gambling site, there are more options:
- Pinnacle if you’re a fan of esport (read our Pinnacle review to learn more).
- William Hill if you want to bet but also play casino games (read our William Hill casino review).
You can use a Pinnacle VIP code or William Hill 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.
Check out our article on what’s the legality of online poker in Canada!
