Sports betting is a popular form of entertainment and way to make money. There are many ways to bet on sports, such as in person at the bookie, online, or with friends.
If you’re wondering whether it’s legal to bet on sports in Canada, the answer is yes! In general, gambling is legal if there’s no chance of making a profit for the house and it’s considered a game of skill. Sports betting falls under this category and there’s no federal law against it (except in Quebec). However, there are some different laws depending on what type of sport you’re betting onfor example, horse racing. It’s important to know the rules of each sport before you start betting.
History of sports betting in Canada:
Canadians only had a few options for legal gambling until the mid-1900s. Illegal betting rings became the only option for those looking to test their luck on games of chance and win big money. This problem got so widespread, there was no way to regulate illegal operations in Canada. In 1969, provincial lotteries were authorized IF proceeds would go towards charity – this allowed governments to see how much money could be generated from some forms of legalized gambling like lottery tickets or horse racing events where people bet on who will come first or second in these races (not sports). Slowly over time and with more amendments made, Canadian governments have seen that legalizing different types of gaming is not such a bad thing after all!
In 1985, an amendment was passed that made it possible to bet on lottery games. This meant that people could buy a ticket and mark 3-6 winners instead of just one winner. However, bookmaker companies were still forbidden from operating in the form we are accustomed to doing so.
What is C-218 and what does it mean for Canada:
Efforts to legalize single-game betting have been ongoing for several years and the idea was discussed around Parliament since 2015. The U.S legalizing sports gambling is what finally created momentum for full legalization in Canada, just as it has also done so over there. Previously opposed stakeholders who are now publically supporting efforts from both sides of the political spectrum have changed their minds about it all too because of this – including major sports leagues and other stakeholders who were once against legalization but then came out publicly with their support after seeing how well legalized gambling had gone across the board at home on that side of things.
The most recent legislative effort to legalize single-game betting was C-218. It was a simple bill that would change the criminal code so it explicitly said provinces could administer and regulate single-game sports betting. It included an exemption for horse racing and had great support from almost every major stakeholder group. On June 23, 2021, the Canadian Senate voted in favor of passing Bill C-218 and thus legalizing sports betting.
Sports betting in provinces:
Ontario:
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario created iGaming Ontario and manages it which will take care of the overall iGaming practices and marketplace in Ontario. This organization is responsible for negotiating agreements with outside sportsbook operators who wish to enter the province. This is in addition to the government of Ontario running its own sportsbook, PROLINE+, which will function similarly to any other sportsbook.
Quebec:
Quebec’s lottery corporation, Loto Quebec, has offered parlay sports betting since the 1990s. This type of wager is legal in Canada and was approved decades ago.
British Columbia:
The province-run lottery and sports betting product, Play Now, can now add single-game wagering. They are excited to implement this new feature on August 27th – the first day they are allowed to do so. For now, Play Now will be the only legal wagering option for BC bettors. But additional operators may come to the province sometime in the future.
Prairie Provinces:
Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta have less people than the other provinces but have an abundance of wheat and livestock. They are often referred to as the middle three provinces in Canada. The Western States Lottery Corporation (WSLC) was formed by these three states as a way to give them more power over lottery games and sports betting content with their geography in mind.
Atlantic Provinces: (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador)
The Atlantic Provinces have all joined forces to offer lottery games and sports betting. There are varying offerings from province to province in regards to online sports betting and casino gaming, with the most prominent being that of proline stadium Atlantic lotteries. The Atlantic Lottery has publicly said it can easily add single-game wagering to its existing platform, but hasn’t announced whether the provinces will legalize this yet. We’ll have to wait and see on that one!
Projected sports betting turnover in Canada:
The Canadian market may generate as much as $25 billion in annual wagering, but 80% of that will come from online sportsbook operators. Analysts predict Ontario’s licensed online gaming and sports betting market will generate gross revenues of C$989 million in its first year opening, growing to C$1.86 billion by 2026.
Where can I go for more information?
For more information on betting in Canada, you can check the Canadian Gaming Association. The Canadian Gaming Association is a national trade association that represents leading operators and suppliers in Canada’s gaming, sports betting, eSports, and lottery industries – including land-based casino operators as well as providers of global premium sports content. The CGA helps develop a better understanding of the industry by serving as a central source of information to the public and an important voice representing the gaming industry in Canada. You can also check independent online resources for information on the various players in the Canadian sports betting industry.
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 1976
- 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.