How Old Do You Have To Be To Gamble Online? Canadian Laws Explained

One of the first eligibility criteria for online gambling in Canada is being of legal age. All types of gambling, including lotteries and sports betting, fall under the same age regulation, and the same age restriction applies to land-based casinos. 

If you want to enjoy gaming activities in Canada, you may be wondering—how old do you have to be to gamble online? In this article, we’ll help you learn the legal gambling ages in Canada’s provinces and walk you through other relevant Canadian gambling laws.

What Is the Legal Age for Online Gambling in Canada?

In Canada, online gaming activities are regulated within the authority of individual provinces and territories. Each of them has the power to license and regulate all aspects of online gaming within its jurisdiction, including the legal online gambling age.

There’s no universal answer to the “how old do you have to be for online gaming” question because the gambling age regulation varies across Canada’s provinces—typically ranging from 18 to 19 years old.

Here’s an overview of the online gambling age limit for each Canadian province:

The age restrictions for some gaming activities within a province or territory may differ from those stated above. This is because some regions may have special age requirements if they host venues restricted only to their residents or they permit access to online gaming platforms run by private businesses.

If you’re wondering about the legal age requirements in a particular province or territory, it’s best to contact the official gaming authorities overseeing online gaming in the area to get the most recent information.

What Are the Consequences of Underage Gambling?

It’s against the law to gamble in Canada if you’re younger than the legal age, and it’s important to stay informed about your province’s gambling age regulations to ensure legal compliance.

Licensed and trustworthy online venues typically have strict age verification procedures. If the casino determines you’re underage, you’ll be turned away, and your account may be permanently banned. This can also affect your attempts to register at other venues later as online casinos share a list of players who attempted to commit any kind of fraudulent activities on their platforms.

Casinos take this kind of offence seriously because they can face penalties if minors are caught on their platform—with fines going up to $250,000.

If you’re under the age limit but somehow manage to register at the online casino, keep in mind that you may face serious consequences if caught. The sanctions for underage gambling vary by province or territory but can include fines and even jail time. For example, in Ontario, you may be charged up to $50,000 if convicted.

Who Determines the Legal Gambling Age in Canada?

Source: Jason Hafso

In Canada, online gaming is generally prohibited by the federal Criminal Code unless regulated by a province. While the Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) has broad oversight of the gambling industry in Canada, each province has the autonomy to regulate and license different aspects of gaming within its jurisdiction, including the legal gambling age. There are no specific laws that would prevent you from visiting and engaging in online gaming activities at any off-shore venues on the market.
The following provincial regulatory bodies collaborate with gaming providers and are responsible for gaming regulations in their jurisdictions:

1. Alberta—Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC)
2. Ontario— Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)
3. British Columbia—The Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB) 
4. Manitoba—-Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corporation (MBLL)
5. Kahnawake—Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC)
6. New Brunswick—New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation (NBLGC)
7. Newfoundland and Labrador—Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC)
8. Nova Scotia—Alcohol and Gaming Authority (AGA)
9. Saskatchewan—Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA)
10. Quebec—Loto-Québec
11. Prince Edward Island—Prince Edward Island Lotteries Commission

How Do Online Casinos Verify Players’ Age?

Reputable online venues prioritize creating a safe and responsible gaming environment on their platforms and adhering to strict legal regulations. As a part of this practice, these casinos will ask you to verify your age during registration or when making your first deposit or withdrawal. This step is essential to confirm players meet the legal age requirements set by the province. 

To complete the age verification process, you must provide copies of one of the following valid identification documents: 

1. Government-issued ID
2. Passport
3. Driver’s license 

Once these documents are securely submitted to the establishment, they’ll be verified within a specified timeframe, which often lasts 24 hours.

Top 10 Reputable Online Venues for Canadian Players 

When choosing an online venue, it’s important to prioritize your safety and opt for reputable and well-established online casinos. These venues are licensed by recognized regulatory bodies and request evidence of age, strictly complying with the legal gambling age regulations. 

Here’s our list of the top ten reliable gaming establishments for Canadian players:

Why These Venues Are Worth Your Time

There are several reasons why you might consider these online casinos when choosing the venue for your next gaming adventure. In addition to holding trustworthy licenses and requesting proof of age, these casinos offer: 

1. Various payment method options
2. Exciting games
3. Attractive campaigns
4. Unmatched user experience
5. Premium security
6. Responsive customer support

Variety of Payment Methods

Reputable online casinos typically offer a wide range of convenient and secure transaction options to cater to the needs of their players. Payment methods that are usually offered include:

• Debit and credit cards:
  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Maestro
  • American Express
• Paysafecard
• eChecks
• Neteller
• Payz
• Skrill
• Apple Pay
• MuchBetter
• iDebit
• Interac
• Interac Express
• Direct bank transfers

The availability of banking options can vary depending on the casino and the province you’re playing from. The minimum deposit is usually set at $10, but some venues might impose other restrictions.
As a part of their safety and anti-money laundering policies, some casinos may restrict the withdrawal method choice and automatically set it to match your last deposit method.

Exciting Games

Aiming to match the preferences of anyone registering on their platforms, these well-established online casinos offer diverse and extensive game portfolios with hundreds of popular game titles. 

Their libraries include widely popular slot games ranging from classic three-reel slots to modern five-reelers and progressive jackpot games. You can also find numerous variants of table games like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, and a wide selection of poker games and tournaments. Most of the venues offer a live dealer section, allowing players to indulge in an authentic casino experience from the comfort of their homes. 

Attractive Campaigns 

To enhance the player’s gaming experience, these online casinos offer attractive campaigns that provide players with extra value and increase their chances of winning. This enhances the players’ gaming experience and lets them enjoy the extra benefits throughout their gaming sessions. At reputable casinos, these campaigns are transparent and have set wagering requirements that players need to check to stay up to date with all the relevant campaign terms.

Unmatched User Experience

Online casinos on our list prioritize user experience by offering intuitive and user-friendly interfaces, making it easy for players to navigate websites and mobile apps. These casinos also offer fast loading times that make the games run more smoothly without interrupting the game flow.

Premium Security

Source: eCOGRA

In the reputable online casinos on our list, security is a number one priority. To protect players’ personal and financial information, these venues employ advanced encryption technologies, such as Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption. The platforms also implement robust security measures to prevent cyber threats and unauthorized access. 

To ensure the fairness and integrity of their games, these establishments typically undergo regular audits by third-party organizations like eCOGRA and iTechLabs. 

Responsive Customer Support

Reliable customer support that’s available 24/7 contributes to a positive gaming experience. To that end, reputable online casinos offer various communication channels through which players can address their queries and concerns. These channels include:

• Live chat
• Email
• Phone support

Besides these modes of communication, players can also find answers to common inquiries within the FAQ section on the casino’s website. 

Featured image source: Dylan Gillis