After the passage of C-218 in spring 2021, provinces will be able to regulate and tax Sports betting Canada based as they see fit, opening the door to online gambling and other forms of gambling in Canada as a whole. Almost overnight, sports betting and lotteries came into existence, and their popularity has skyrocketed in the last few years. Even though the options are still limited, the legalization of Canadian sports betting will spur growth in the single wagering and online casino markets.
The Ontario licensed market opened in April 2022, and has then seen more and more licensed operators launch their brand in the province. Furthermore, Alberta issued an RFP for retail sportsbook operations in December this past year, becoming the second province to do so, and showing the way for other provinces to follow.
Something to consider when it comes to gambling is whether it’s better to do so in casinos or online venues.
The gambling experience of each differs in important ways, but which is best for you? Offline betting at physical locations such as casinos has its own perks, namely the social aspect of meeting new people, treating yourself to shopping and dining, and benefits such as frequent user rewards if one visits a particular casino often. On the other hand, online betting also has its own perks, namely convenience and immediate access. One need not have to plan a night out or spend extra money on dinner if utilizing online gambling only, and it is accessible in areas where there might not be a casino nearby. Legal online sports betting Canada based casinos will be subject to ever-changing legislation in the coming years.
Racetracks like Century Miles and Ridge Shores in Canada already allow for gambling to take place. Fallsview Casino at Niagara and Casino Rama in Ontario have been open for more than two decades now. Today, the most popular sports for wagering include ice hockey, American football, baseball, and horse racing. There are a number of well-known sports teams in Toronto that are frequently bet on in Online casinos Canada, including the Toronto Raptors, Toronto Blue Jays, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Is It Legal in Canada?
Following the passage of specific legislation making the practice of sports betting legal in the country, many Canadians placed their bets and wagers in a legal gray area. Sports betting was not specifically legal in most places, nor was it specifically illegal either. To get around this, many Canadians use European and American-based betting sites and services. Gambling was largely delegated to the provinces in terms of legality and enforcement in the majority of cases following the legalization of single-bet sports betting. However, Canadians were already spending billions of dollars on the industry in the services of other countries, so it is theorized that these dollars will now remain in the Canadian economy.
Prior to the passage of Bill C-228, the majority of Canadians bet on sports at illegal offshore books, many of which were founded by members of organized crime. Keeping this money out of criminal hands and legitimizing a practice that Canadians already regularly engage in was the goal of getting royal approval for the bill. Currently, six provinces allow so-called parlay betting only, through provincial agencies, where bettors must correctly predict the outcome of at least three separate sporting events and wager on the outcome of all three.
It was previously impossible to place a bet on a single event, such as the Super Bowl, Grey Cup, or Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, through any service regulated in Canada. However, Canada’s Criminal Code was amended in August 2021, allowing Canadian sports bettors to place bets on a wide range of events. Except for Quebec and Alberta, where gambling is prohibited for those under the age of 18, every other province in Canada permits it for those of legal age, usually around 19 years old.
Each province has its own laws regarding gambling, which might differ from those of its neighboring provinces. Here is when and where you can gamble, depending on where you live:
Alberta
Gambling is already popular in this province, with 25 existing casinos and parlay betting on sports betting allowed.
Manitoba
The Liquor and Gaming Authority of Manitoba oversees both in person and online betting, with PlayNow being the only online casino licensed in the province. Online bets are limited to only $250 a day, and only through the Sports Select service.
New Brunswick
Gambling is heavily restricted in this province, with no land based casinos allowed and only one authorized site, which is Pro-Line.
Newfoundland and Labrador
As with New Brunswick, land based casinos are not allowed in this province, and online betting is restricted to either Pro-Line or offshore betting.
Saskatchewan
Online casinos are not allowed to operate in this province, though residents can access offshore services in other countries as well as services in other provinces.
Northwest Territories
Even though allowed by national law, no land-based or online-based casinos currently operate in this province, although Sports Select through other provinces is allowed.
Yukon Territory
No permanent land-based casinos are allowed to operate in this territory, although temporary three-day licenses can be obtained for specific events. Sport Select can operate in the Yukon, though no other online casinos are currently licensed.
Prince Edward Island
Although allowed, no physical casinos are licensed, and only Pro-Line is used for online betting.
Nova Scotia
In this province, residents are limited to only two government-owned casinos for land-based betting and Pro-Line for online betting.
Ontario
Ontario has 24 casinos and venues with slot machines and allows online betting through Pro-Line or PlayOLG. Currently, it is the province with the most relaxed laws.
British Columbia
PlayNow is the only online betting service in this province, though there are 15 land-based casinos in operation.
Quebec
Widely considered one of the most liberal provinces, Quebec allows access to government-run gaming establishments, called Espacejeux, and parlay bets only at online and offshore services.
When it comes to gaming, Ontario is the most lenient province, though they are currently pushing for stricter rules. Sportsbooks are expected to launch in this province no earlier than March 2022, when the market is expected to open to commercial operators. In September 2021, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario began accepting applications from those interested in breaking into the commercial internet gaming market. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s ProLine Plus product is the only way to place a bet in Ontario. PlayOLG
Single-game sports betting could be available to commercial operators in Ontario by spring 2022.
Banking
Direct deposit or bank card payments are the most commonly used payment methods at most Canadian betting sites, with Visa and MasterCard ranking first and second, respectively, in terms of popularity. Entropay, Paysafecard, e-Check, InstaDebit, and wire transfer are all other options for making payments. PayPal and e-wallets, which are already accepted by some international betting sites, are likely to come to Canada’s online sportsbooks in the near future, as are cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
For many Canadians, the most convenient and time-saving method of banking is instant banking. They facilitate the transfer of funds from a bank account to an online casino site using third-party intermediaries at a low cost. One of Canada’s oldest and largest companies, Interac, has been around for more than 30 years.
A MasterCard or Visa card is in the wallet of nearly everyone in a developed country. Over a dozen Canadian banks issue these widely accepted cards, making them a popular method of payment in online casinos. Casino deposits can be made using prepaid, debit, and credit cards, all of which can be used in the same way when playing casinos online. To be clear, MasterCard does not support casino cashouts.
You can avoid having your bank account or e-wallet linked to gambling by purchasing prepaid cards from well-known stores to use as payment. Using this method, you can keep a close eye on your bankroll and avoid revealing any personal information in order to make a deposit when betting online.
Transfers via bank wire can also be used. Despite the fact that this payment method is somewhat dated, many people still prefer to work with bankers to complete transfer transactions. While it’s still popular, be aware that it will take longer for your money to reach your account and that it could take several business days if you use this method.
By acting as a middleman between a customer’s bank account and the casino, e-wallets make it possible for players to deposit money into their accounts. PayPal, Google Pay, and Apple Pay are all popular e-wallet options in Canada, but the selection isn’t as broad as it is in Europe. In terms of gambling, Canada is one of the most populous countries in the world. Currently, players have a wide variety of banking options from which to choose. Gamblers, on the other hand, should always check to see if their preferred payment method is accepted by the casino they’ve chosen.
Teams to Watch
Deciding which sports to bet on is a matter of personal choice based on a list of various criteria, though any bet should be placed with an understanding of how the team likely to perform. The following teams are some of the most popular in Canada when it comes to watching and betting on sports.
Toronto Blue Jays
Sluggers like Jose Bautista, Troy Tulowitzki, and Edwin Encarnacion make up the Toronto Blue Jays’ MLB team. To catch a Blue Jays game, head to the Rogers Centre in downtown Toronto.
Edmonton Oilers
With a 9-4-1 record and a talented young core led by Connor McDavid, the Edmonton Oilers are one of the better teams in the NHL right now. They also play at the Rogers Centre.
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are currently the most dominant team in the NHL, winning 11-1-1 in their first 13 games. Youppi is the name of their mascot. They play at the Centre Bell Stadium.
Toronto Raptors
With Drake as a team ambassador, DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry in the backcourt, the Toronto Raptors have one of the best home court atmospheres in the NBA. The Scotiabank Arena is where they play their home games.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Even when the team has a rough year, Canadians are still rooting for this popular NHL hockey team because of young star Auston Matthews, who moved from the United States to Canada. Their games often inspire rigorous betting. Their games are held at the Scotiabank Arena.
Bonuses and Promotions
New customers in Canadian online casinos can typically take advantage of welcome bonuses, while existing customers can take advantage of ongoing specials and promotions. If you’re a first-time user, you’ll need to do some research into the service you want to use, but remember to never sign up for a service just because they have a good promotional offer. Before signing up for any betting or casino service, it is important to thoroughly review the terms and conditions, especially if you plan on playing games such as online poker or play slots in provinces where it might not be legal. The following are some of the best betting sites for newbies who are looking for a place to start with promotional offers.
