Playing poker has evolved from an ordinary game people play for fun to an act that provides players with financial benefits. Therefore, betting on the game has been an adopted hobby by gamblers worldwide. The game has also experienced massive growth in the number of casino players venturing into poker gambling in diverse countries. Canada is one country many people consider at the top of the poker gambling ranking.
Poker gambling in Canada is not regulated on a federal level. Rather, it is regulated and controlled by provinces in the country. Numerous Canadian provinces have regulated and legalized the world’s most famous card game,especially around top Canadian universities. Thus, it’s no shocker that the North American giant is home to globally-renowned poker champs like Timothy Adams, Jonathan Duhamel, Daniel Negreanu, and Sam Greenwood.
This article discusses all you must know about Canada’s poker gambling industry and the options available to players who are considering playing the famous card game at the best Canadian poker sites.
Is Internet Poker Legal In Canada?
As stated, online gambling in Canada, including poker, is legalized in some provinces and banned in others, just like its land-based casinos. In provinces like Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba, fans can try out their skills and luck for real cash online and offline.
This makes the number of online casinos that provide poker in Canada numerous, including high-end overseas poker sites and domestic platforms. However, the range of domestic poker sites depends on their locations.
It’s worth noting that the entire gambling industry in Canada generates more than $9 billion annually. This is impressive, going by the fact that the industry is relatively new in the country. The good news for players and stakeholders is that the industry continues to grow and contribute massive revenue to the economy yearly.
Canada’s Online Gambling Laws
The Canadian Federal Criminal Code, also known as “the code,” guides gambling activities in the nation. Generally, all kinds of betting in Canada are banned on a federal level. However, in the Code, Section 207 states an exception for the provincial governments who are allowed to carry out and regulate the iGaming sector within their regions.
Also, it included some regulations on the provinces’ rights to legalize gambling. For instance, betting on horse racing and horse racing have different allocations and are not considered the same, and the provinces aren’t allowed to make alterations to that statute.
The other primary regulation was that no provincial government, authority, or politician could make bets on any game. Thus, the Feds banned its executives from partaking in betting and supporting regions from enabling parlay gambling. Later in 2021, the government removed the ban.
After legalizing and providing iGaming services, most provinces established independent government authorities or Lottery Corporation. The main objective of the LC was to execute and manage betting in that province. For instance, betting in British Columbia is offered via the BCLC (British Columbia Lottery Corporation). In comparison, gambling in Ontario is provided via the OLG (Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation).
It’s also worth noting that these Lottery Corporations cannot perform and control gaming, especially not land-based casinos. Therefore, the provincial governments established extensive regulatory schemes to run operations safely and securely.
Ontario has the AGCO (Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario) that governs the affairs of online gambling within that region. It’s responsible for registering every individual and gaming entity to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. This implies that every company must register under a known provincial gaming authority, including casino providers and gaming providers.
The Gray Area In Canada’s Gambling Market
The Canadian Criminal Code made gambling in Canada on a federal level illegal. Before the internet, fraudulent gambling operations came in the form of hidden poker operations and illegal bookmakers. Gaming establishments were already offering their services in their particular provinces. Things became more complex with the possibility of players now playing poker and other casino games and sports bets on their computers and mobile phones
So, according to the law, if an organization residing in Canada is operating a site that enables users to wager on games, they’d be performing a criminal act. However, players were permitted to play with overseas or offshore sites.
The Code clearly states in Section 6 (2) that no individual shall be penalized for an offence outside of Canada. Therefore, the Canadian government doesn’t penalize any gambling company that’s not located in any of its provinces.
Final Notes
Have you wondered about the legality of poker in Canada and how to go about it? It’s worth stating that online and offline gambling in the country is prohibited in some provinces and legal in others.
Regulation and legalization are based on the provincial government, not the federal. Therefore, the legality of playing online poker in Canada lies with the province you reside. As a bettor, ensure to get yourself abreast with the laws in your province to be in consonance with the law.
Disclaimer:
- As per the Public Gambling Act of 1867, all Indian states, except Goa, Daman and Sikkim, prohibit gambling
- Land-based casinos are legalized, with certain guidelines, in Goa and Daman, as per the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act 1976Â Â
- Land-based casinos, Online gambling and E-gaming (games of chance) are legalized in Sikkim under the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Rules 2009
- Only some Indian states have legalized online/regular lotteries as per and subject to the conditions laid down by state laws. Kindly refer to the same here
- Horse racing and betting on horse racing, including online betting, is permitted only in a licensed premise in select states. Kindly refer to the 1996 Judgement by the Supreme Court Of India here and for more information
- This article does not endorse or express the views of Qrius and/or any of its staff.
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