Law

For years, Canadians have been able to gamble online and over their mobile devices without harming the current laws or falling under criminal activity. Though the Canadian criminal code doesn’t spell out the legal status of online gambling, there have been no arrests made over Canadian gamblers or Canadian-run online casinos. These online casinos offer Canadian mobile casinos, which have also not received any type of criminal treatment. Overall, the basic wording of the Canadian law toward online gambling is considered complex, and rarely is it ever invoked. Overall, many may find it somewhat confusing, thus we decided to provide an explanation page to ensure that you’re fully aware of your rights in terms of online gambling.

History Lesson

Before the 1960s, Canada’s government was firmly against gambling, regardless of the form it took. However, the government has, since then, granted provinces the right to regulate gambling as they choose. Some provinces took that freedom as an opportunity, building up casinos and running their own provincial lotteries. The Canadian Criminal Code provides ample information on land gambling, however there is little mention of online or mobile gambling in their laws. Though it’s a gray area, many online and mobile casinos have continued to thrive in Canada. Though the Attorney General once claimed it was illegal in Indian reservations to host online casinos and poker, there hasn’t been any legal actions taken nor charges pressed. These reservations and online casinos continue to operate today.

Gambling Specifics

The only way you can legally wager online for sporting events is to place parlay bets on three or more matches. There is, however, an ongoing movement that seeks to remove this restriction from the criminal code, allowing Canadians to place bets on single games or sporting events period. Many online poker sites allow Canadians to gamble, and there are several Canadian mobile casinos that allow Canadians to take part in the fun and excitement. Any money won while gambling in Canada is tax free, unless you won the funds as a professional poker player. Professional gambling winnings is taxable by Canadian law. All in all, the laws are fairly lenient towards casino gambling of any type.

Canada doesn’t have its own national gaming authority or regulator. Instead, each province is required to manage and regulate the online casinos, gambling and poker sites, as well as the mobile casinos. These provinces are in charge of regulating the standards and requirements, as well as ensuring that each casino is operating completely fairly. They are the ones who take charge when there is a dispute between a customer and a casino, and they provide governance over the various websites. The provinces have the ability to remove a casino license, as well as ban them from continuing their operations during the event that the casino violates the rules made by the regulators and authorities in the gaming industry.

In spite of these unclear and somewhat muggy laws, millions of Canadians take part in online and mobile gambling throughout the year. Those who are uncertain of the legality of a Canadian mobile casino should take some time to check the site and their status. There have been no Canadian citizens or Canadian casinos arrested for gambling or offering gambling services in Canada. Instead, it is considered harmless entertainment and permitted by a majority of provinces.