Is Gambling Legal In Ontario
Legal Betting FAQ: Terrestrial and online gambling laws of Ontario in 2020. Ontario is perhaps the most famous of all provinces in Canada. It is certainly the most populated of them all, home to 38% of the nation’s total population, and the second largest by area. Manitoba and Quebec have a similar menu of online gambling options, as does Ontario as of January. Alberta is likely to join them later this year.
Legal Betting FAQ: Terrestrial and online gambling laws of Ontario in 2020.
Ontario is perhaps the most famous of all provinces in Canada. It is certainly the most populated of them all, home to 38% of the nation’s total population, and the second largest by area. Its capital of Toronto hosts an impressive collection of professional sports teams, including the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs, NBA’s Toronto Raptors, and MLB’s Toronto Blue Jays.
Ontario has a bustling economy, driven largely by manufacturing and natural resources. Tourism is another major economic driver, greatly spurred by the presence of the majestic Niagara Falls. Residents of the province tend to visit the area more than one might think necessary; not to see the famous Horseshoe so much as to visit the multitude of local attractions. These include a pair of world-class, integrated commercial casino resorts. Tourists are drawn to these, as are the locals – many of which have displayed an affinity for both live and online gambling entertainment.
The area’s gambling enthusiasts among the luckiest in Canada, having access to so many different wagering opportunities, both on land and online. Today, we’ll be looking at all these forms of gambling to determine what is legal, what is illegal, and what might fall somewhere in between those lines.
Terrestrial and Online Gambling Laws of Ontario
In the following context you’ll find a complete, Q&A-based reference guide to Ontario gambling laws that is short, factual and easy to understand. Note that all of the information provided is current as of February 2020.
What forms of gambling are legal in Ontario?
– Horse Racing (Quarter Horse, Standardbred, Thoroughbred)
– Lottery (OLG)
– SportsBetting (Pro-Line)
– Casino gambling (slots, tables, etc.)
– Poker
– Charity (bingo, raffles)
Who regulates gambling in Ontario?
Almost all gambling activities in Ontario are regulated by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG). Lottery sales, including number draws, scratch offs and Pro-Line sports lottery tickets, are managed directly by the OLG. The gaming regulator licenses and monitors all commercial casinos, poker rooms and charitable gaming facilities, most of which are managed by third-party operators.
Throughout all of Canada, horse racing is overseen by the federal government. Tribal casinos are also out of provincial control, being operated by their respective First Nation tribes. These are the only types of gambling OLG has no real authority over.
What do Ontario online gambling laws cover?
Online gambling is 100% legal in Ontario. It is one of just a few Canadian provinces to address online gambling directly in its law books. Ontario chose to legalize and regulate internet gambling with the launch of PlayOLG.ca in 2015.
PlayOLG is accessible only to adult residents of Ontario who have not voluntarily self-excluded themselves from provincially licensed gambling activities. It offers a wide range of gambling options on desktop or mobile; lottery sales, horse race betting and an assortment of casino games, including slot machines, table games, video poker, and progressive jackpot games.
Is it legal to gamble at offshore gambling sites?
Yes. Despite having access to a home-grown iGaming destination, gambling with internationally regulated online casinos is not illegal in Ontario. The Criminal Code of Canada stipulates that gambling houses with a physical presence in a province, are only illegal if they are not licensed by that province. Being located overseas means international online gambling sites are not subject to Canadian law.
In short – and mind you, numerous legal authorities have agreed with this point – because offshore iGaming operations are not explicitly illegal in Ontario, they are legal.
Is single-event sports betting legal in Ontario?
No. Single-event sports betting is not currently permitted in Ontario. That is one area of the law that is mandated on a federal level, and upheld by all provinces and territories of Canada. Sports betting is only legal when multiple picks are made (i.e. parlay betting). Ontario offers such wagering via the Pro-Line sports lottery, available online at PlayOLG.ca and in countless retail locations across the province.
It is worth noting that, while single-event sports betting cannot be conducted within Ontario, it is perfectly legal outside of Canada. Ontarians can partake in the wagering opportunities of internationally regulated online sportsbooks with no threat of legal recourse.
Furthermore, Ontario’s sports fans will soon be able to cross the border into the US state of Michigan to place single-event sports wagers. Michigan legalized sports betting, online and on land, in December 2019, and is projected to begin launching sportsbooks in March 2020
Are gambling winnings taxable?
No. Canadians are not required to pay taxes on gambling winnings, with just a few rare exceptions. If the individual is a professional gambler, they may have to claim gambling winnings and losses on their income tax (learn more here). Moreover, if an Ontarian wins a sum of money equal to or exceeding $1,200 from a US-based casino, they must fill out a tax form right there on the spot to give the US government its due. In no other circumstance are Canadians required to pay taxes on gambling winnings; including winnings from international online casinos.
Is it safe to gamble at offshore online gambling sites?
Since the online gambling laws of Ontario were passed, resulting in the 2015 launch of PlayOLG, Ontario has offered the safest form of iGaming in the province. That’s not to say that offshore gambling is hazardous, so long as you know what to look for in a safe and reputable online gaming site.
Is Gambling Legal In Ontario
First and foremost, an operator should be regulated in a respectable jurisdiction; i.e. The UK, Malta, Alderney, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, etc. European authorities such as these hold all licensees to the strictest standards, and are swift to penalize any operator for evidence of non-compliance.See our Gambling Safety Tips to learn more.
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The educated gamblers guide to online gambling laws Ontario.
Gambling is one of the most historically famous pastimes in the world. When the great Venetian explorer John Cabot arrived here in 1497, he discovered the natives participating in various gambling games. During colonization, British soldiers were known to be avid gamblers, although King Richard III had outlawed the activity in the 14th century, especially among troops. In his eyes, gambling was merely a distraction from the greater goal.
In 1867, when Canada became a self-governing nation, lawmakers adopted similar prohibitions. The Criminal Code of 1892 formally outlawed all gambling. That slowly changed over the next century, to the point that Ontario now regulates almost all wagering activities, including lottery, bingo, casino, poker and limited sports betting. The province even launched its own online gambling website – with all of these options – in January 2015.
Is Online Gambling Legal in Ontario?
Is Gambling Legal In Ontario 2020
There’s one area of the law that remains a mystery to many Ontarians. It’s rather obvious that gambling is legal (for anyone age 19+). There are many casinos and race tracks, lottery and Pro-Line retailers, all over the province. We also know that online gambling is legal, because Ontario hosts its own iGaming websites, PlayOLG.ca.
The mysterious part is whether it’s legal or illegal to use online gambling sites regulated outside of Canada? Provincial laws clearly state that, if you use a Canadian-based gaming site, it must be regulated in your own province. For example, Ontarians can use PlayOLG, but they can’t use BC’s PlayNow.ca. In reverse, BC players can join PlayNow, but not PlayOLG.
But what about international online casinos? Places like 888 Casino, Royal Vegas and William Hill? These are globally recognized, distinguished and wholly licenced operators. They just aren’t licenced in Canada. Can Canadians legally play at these sites?
Online Gambling Laws Ontario
The unique thing about Ontario’s gambling laws is that provincial lawmakers have very little to do with them. For the most part, gambling is a federal matter. The Criminal Code determines that all gambling is illegal, unless authorized by a province or territory. Even then, Canada decides who can authorize and regulate gambling, and how to do it.
Let’s take a quick look at relevant gaming laws found in the Criminal Code.
This section, Part VII, Disorderly Houses, Gaming and Betting, defines gambling related terms.
| 197 (1) In this Part, | Meaning |
| Bet means a bet that is placed on any contingency or event that is to take place in or out of Canada, and without restricting the generality of the foregoing, includes a bet that is placed on any contingency relating to a horse-race, fight, match or sporting event that is to take place in or out of Canada; (pari) | A “bet” is a wager on any skillful competition, such as sporting events and horse racing. Chance may be an element, but skill dominates in these contests. |
| Game means a game of chance or mixed chance and skill; (jeu) | A “game” is a gambling activity where chance dominates the outcome, with or without any element of skill. This includes all casino games like slot machines, blackjack, video poker, etc. |
How Ontario Regulates Online Gambling
Is Online Gambling Legal In Ontario
For this, we turn to Section 207.
| 207 (1) …it is lawful | Meaning |
| (a) for the government of a province, either alone or in conjunction with the government of another province, to conduct and manage a lottery scheme in that province, or in that and the other province, in accordance with any law enacted by the legislature of that province; | Ontario is capable regulating any form of gambling (“lottery scheme”) defined by the Criminal Code. The government grants that power to its provincial regulator, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp (OLG). |
What Ontario Law Says About Gambling
Ontario’s most current version of the Gaming Control Act 1992 isn’t even worth quoting. Everything within this document deals with “gaming sites” (online or on land) that are “registered” with and “licenced” by the OLG. Any “gaming site” not registered/licenced falls under the jurisdiction of the Criminal Code of Canada.
Is Gambling Illegal In Ontario
What Does It All Mean?
There’s a big difference between being perceptive about the laws of online gambling, and knowing from which perspective to judge them. Gambling laws are a federal matter, not provincial. Ontario province merely chooses which forms of gambling they wish to authorize locally.
This means that Ontario can decide what operations are permissible, and which are illegal, within its borders. However, only the Canadian government can decide what’s legal and illegal outside of Ontario. And unless an online gambling operation is physically located somewhere within the confines of Canada, even the federal government has no jurisdiction over it.
To put it simply, internationally regulated gambling operators are not breaking any laws by accepting Canadian players. This is the stance our nation’s gaming law experts have taken. In their expert opinions, no online gambling laws Ontario applies will affect that. Unless the federal government amends the Constitution and/or takes international operators to court, that’s not going to change.
Disclaimer: Please note that we are not lawyers, and are not qualified or attempting to offer legal advice. The following is our personal interpretation of current legislation. For precise clarification of the laws in Ontario and/or Canada, please contact an attorney or local authorities.
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