Online sports betting has been a popular mode of entertainment and income source. People can place bets on sports via a bookie, online platforms, and even with friends.
And if you are looking for the answer to the titled question, it’s a yes.
The federal ban on sports betting in Canada officially took off on August 27, 2021. It took less than two months after Bill C-218 was passed for the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act was finally approved. The last province to legalize single-game sports betting was Nova Scotia, on February 11, 2022.
The latest iGaming market was introduced in Ontario on April 4, 2022, adding a page to the history for the first time a provincial invited third-party online operators into the scene.
The Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and iGaming Ontario have approved 25 online sports betting platforms, and 49 gaming operators took the first step toward the registration procedure.
History of Sports Betting in Canada
Canadians had very few options for gambling legally in the mid-1900s. Illegal betting circles were the only option for those who wanted to try their luck on games that entirely depended on chances to win huge money.
The rings started to grow so much that there was no way else to regulate illegal betting operations in Canada.
Provincial lotteries, in 1969, authorized IF proceeds might be contributed to charity. By doing this, the governments could see the amount of money generated from legal gambling, such as lottery tickets and horse races, where people put their money in the first and second positions.
Gradually, with the flow of time and more amendments, the Canadian government realized that legalizing various forms of gambling is not that bad if regulated well.
An amendment was passed in 1985, which made betting on lottery games possible. It pointed out that people can buy tickets and announce multiple winners instead of just one.
What is C-218?
The discussion on legalizing single-game betting in the Parliament since 2015, after enormous efforts for single-game betting legalization for several years. The momentum of the legalization of online sports betting in the United States influenced Canada.
The stakeholders who once opposed the notion publicly supported efforts to legalize sports betting in major league sports leagues. Secondary stakeholders also supported this after realizing that legalized betting can bring things to place.
C-218 is the most current legislative effort to legalize single-game betting. C-218 is a straightforward bill that would alter the criminal code, so it could openly order the provinces to administer single-game sports betting and its concerning regulations.
There was an exception for horse race events, which were well-supported by almost all stakeholder groups.
The Canadian Senate, on June 23, 2021, voted in favor of passing Bill C-218, and hence sports betting was legalized.
Canadian Provinces that Legalized Online Sports Betting
Until now, seven provinces in Canada have legalized single-game online sports betting. These provinces are British Columbia, Newfoundland, Quebec, Manitoba, Labrador, New Brunswick, prince Edward Island, and Ontario.
Alberta is on its way to online sports betting legalization, while Northwestern Territories, Nunavut, Yukon, and Saskatchewan, in November 2021, legalized single-event wagering at retail outlets.
The last province to introduce its residents to single-game bets was Nova Scotia, as the Atlantic Lottery Corporation, on February 11, 2022, declared that it had started taking single-event wagers.
Bill C-218 lets every province observe how and when sports betting is regulated. The decision is to be taken by provincial governments for the authorization to offer sports betting, qualifying a sport for wagering, and the bet types that should be permitted.
Ontario
The Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario developed iGaming Ontario and controls it to take care of the entire iGaming practices and marketplace in the province. This body is authorized for negotiations on agreements with external sportsbook operators who are willing to make a debut in Ontario.
This would be supplementary for the provincial government of Ontario, as they already operate its own sportsbook, PROLINE+, which will do the same as any other sportsbook.
British Columbia
Play Now, the province’s lottery and online sports betting platform, is now making additions with single-game wagering. The implementation of the same was completed in August 2022. Play Now is the exclusive legal wagering option for bettors in British Columbia. But, they can expect additional operators to come into the province shortly.
Quebec
Loto Quebec, the province’s lottery corporation, started providing parlay sports betting in the 1990s. This form of the wager was already legal and was approved federally decades ago.
Provinces of Prairie
The provinces of Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan have less population than others but are rich in livestock and wheat. These Canadian middle provinces formed the Western States Lottery Corporation (WSLC) to find a way to empower using lottery games and sports betting.
Atlantic Provinces
The Atlantic Provinces include Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Labrador, and Newfoundland. All of these provinces offer sports betting and lottery games to their residents.
The platforms differ in each province, with casino gaming, online sports betting, and the highly prominent Atlantic lotteries.
The Atlantic Lottery has publicly conveyed that it can conveniently add single-game wagering to its existing platform. Still, it has no surety on the legal aspects of the province.
Expected Sports Betting Turnover in Canada
Although the Canadian market might produce nearly $25 million in annual betting, 80% will come from online sportsbook operators. Analysts suggest that Ontario’s licensed online gaming and sports betting market will create gross revenues worth C$989 million in the opening year, continuing to grow towards C$1.86 billion by 2026.
Final Words
However, most Canadian provinces recently got legal labels for online sports betting. The country’s extreme craze for sports like soccer, football, hockey, basketball, and baseball. Sports enthusiasts support their favorite teams harder than ever, as they now have a chance to place wagers on their favorite teams in their favorite leagues.
So, now you have the answer to the question Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Canada? Go out there and place some bets and win some money. The news of removing the ban came as a blessing for the Canadian economy. Now bet responsibly and make sure it doesn’t become an addiction. And if oy want to know the best betting apps in Canada, just click here.
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Disclaimer: Bet responsibly!
FAQs
Is sports betting legal in Canada?
The legality of parlay sports betting is nationwide. However, the legality of single-game wagering varies by province according to provincial discretion.
Is single-game wagering legal in Canada?
Yes. Single-game wagering has been legal and has been live in most Canadian provinces since August 27, 2021.
Which are the provinces in Canada where online sports betting is legal?
New Brunswick, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia are the provinces where online bets on single-event sports are legal.
What is the legal age in Canada for online sports betting?
Every province has its own rules and regulations regarding online sports betting. In the provinces of Quebec, Manitoba, and Alberta, the minimum legal age to gamble or sports betting is 18 years.
A few other provinces, including New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, British Columbia, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, and Prince Edward Island, cites the legal for sports betting and gambling as 19 years.
Is betting on horse races legal in Canada?
Yes. Horse race events and betting on those events are legal in each Canadian province. The Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency is authorized to regulate and supervise horse race betting at the federal level.
How do I place a sports bet online with my phone?
Online sports bets can be placed using a smartphone by visiting a legal sportsbook website or downloading a sportsbook app. You might need to provide some personal information to sign up, and you can easily place your first online bet on your favorite sports.
Where can I bet on sports in Canada?
In every province of Canada, you can place a sports parlay wager. In August 2021, the majority of provincial lotteries introduced single-event betting options. Beginning in 2022, commercial operators might start operating in Ontario. In the next months, commercial operators could be introduced in additional states.
Who regulates and oversees Canadian sports betting?
Provinces in the nation have different regulatory structures. Everybody is free to make their own rules and laws.