Legal Online Gambling in Canada Explained

Real money wagering is a popular activity in Canada. Just like in other parts of the world, local laws are considered fairly complicated. Several forms of land-based betting have been legalized by the Canadian government. The same applies to online gambling; however, the laws governing operators based overseas are cloudy at best - they're considered a grey area.

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To date, no one has been charged or prosecuted for wagering online because there are many ways for players in this country to play, which are 100% legal.

Online Gambling Laws in Canada

When it comes to betting companies within this region, the laws are very clear. All operators must obtain a license from the authorities, which is only issued to those who have met the set requirements. Anyone operating a casino without the government's approval is doing so illegally.

Additionally, you will find numerous online gambling establishments owned and operated by the local authorities - usually, at the provincial level. It's perfectly legal to use these game sites and to buy lottery tickets online.

Offshore Game Sites

Basically, these are casinos whose servers are based outside Canadian borders and they often offer no deposit bonuses for Canadian players. Most companies opt for these because it's quite hectic to obtain a license to operate. The majority of offshore servers are operated from the UK, Gibraltar, Malta, The Isle of Man or Kahnawake Mohawk Territory. Online gambling within these regions is legal and Canadian laws do not apply here. As such, you are able to place wagers at offshore casinos with confidence that you'll not get into any kind of trouble with the law.

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Finding a Legal Canadian No Deposit Online Casino

When you set out to find a game website to register with, there are a number of factors that you should consider. First off, you'll need to make sure that the betting house of your choice is registered and licensed with the proper authorities.

Note that if you decide to register with unlicensed sites, you don't have a legal safety net - you're likely going to be ripped off and there is nothing you can do about it; therefore, avoid such websites at all costs.

Also, you might want to look into the Canada site's track record - things like payouts, customer support, fairness and so on. A good reputation indicates that you can trust a gambling establishment.

What is the Legal Age for Online Gambling?

The age at which players can engage in gambling in Canada varies depending on your province, which will either be 18 or 19 years. Typically, Canadian no deposit online casinos do their best to implement measures to check underage gambling, but it's entirely upon you to stick to the regulations. Operators have terms of use which are crystal clear, usually placed at the bottom of the page.

Note that if you engage in these activities without having attained the legal age, you'll have to face the consequences and any winnings will be forfeited. The current legal gambling ages are as follows; 18 years for those living in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec. For all other provinces, you'll have to be 19 years or older.