Is Sports Betting Legal in Canada?

Want to know if you can put a bet down on tonight’s Leafs game (without breaking the law)? This guide unpacks Canada’s entire sports-betting revolution, from the Criminal Code changes that legalized single-event wagers to the provincial rules, gambling laws, key legislation, and savvy tips for picking the right licensed sportsbook.

Yes, single-event sports betting has been legal nationwide since Bill C-218 received royal assent on June 29, 2021. [1] Before that, Canadians could only place parlay bets (two or more selections) under the Criminal Code’s original ban on single-game wagers.

Parlay-only legal sports betting forced many to offshore sites, creating a $14 billion underground market annually. [2] Since legalization, every province can offer single-event sports betting and license legal betting apps, shifting wagers from illicit operators to regulated platforms.

Key Legislation: Bill C-218 (“Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act”)

Bill C-218, the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act, amended Criminal Code paragraph 207(4)(b) to remove the ban on single-event sports betting while preserving pari-mutuel horse-race rules.

• Sponsor - Conservative MP Kevin Waugh (Saskatoon–Grasswood) introduced it Feb 25, 2020. [3]
• Senate passage - June 22, 2021 (vote 57–20). [4]
• Royal assent - June 29, 2021, becoming law.
• In force - Amendments took effect Aug 27, 2021 via Order-in-Council. [5]

Put simply, Bill C-218 modernized betting laws in Canada. It brought transparency, drove revenue into public coffers, and undercut illegal operators. Provinces now tailor regulations, set ages (18–19), and enforce responsible-gaming safeguards.

Canada’s legal sports betting framework evolved from Indigenous chance games to a federal ban on single-game wagering, to parlay-only bets in the 1980s, to the offshore boom, and finally to regulated single-event betting with Bill C-218 in 2021.

Along the way, provinces built lottery-style parlay pools (PROLINE in 1999), First Nations regulators arose (Kahnawake in 1996), and online platforms proliferated. Today, every province offers licensed apps under its own regulator.

Canada’s Criminal Code (RSC 1985, c C-46) prohibits most betting and bookmaking, but carves out two key exceptions within the gambling laws. Paragraph 207(4)(b) allows betting “through the agency of a pool or pari-mutuel system on any horse-race”. [14]

In 1985, Parliament amended the Code to permit parlay bets, wagers combining two or more selections, while single-game wagers remained illegal. This framework drove Canadians to offshore operators, fueling an estimated $14 billion underground market annually.

Bill C-218 (Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act) in 2021 amended paragraph 207(4)(b) to authorize single-event sports betting, subject to provincial gambling laws and licensing. The federal role now is to define the outer Criminal Code boundaries; provinces regulate all forms of legal sports betting within those boundaries.

Depending on where you live, there are different gambling laws and requirements you must meet before you can legally place a bet online or in person. 

Minimum Age

If you’ve ever wondered, “How old do you have to be to bet on sports?” Well, that answer depends, as each province and territory sets its own “age of majority” for wagering. You cannot open a legal sports-betting account unless you meet that minimum:

• 18 years old - Alberta, Manitoba, Québec. 
• 19 years old - British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland & Labrador, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut. 

It’s crucial to double-check your province’s age rule before registering. Many sportsbooks will immediately lock you out if you enter a birthdate under the threshold.

Account Verification (KYC)

Before you can bet, licensed sportsbooks must confirm who you are and where you live. This “Know Your Customer” (KYC) process typically involves:

1. Government-issued photo ID (driver’s licence, passport, or provincial ID). 
2. Proof of residence (utility bill, bank statement, or official government correspondence) matching the address on your ID. 
3. Age verification (embedded in the ID check to enforce the 18/19 rule). 

We’ve found that uploading clear scans or photos on the first try speeds approval. Many legal sports betting operators verify within minutes; some larger platforms (especially in Ontario under AGCO rules) may take up to 24–48 hours if manual review is needed.

Per Canadian gambling laws, all licensed sportsbooks must integrate tools and policies to minimize harm. Key measures include:

Balancing these factors will steer you toward a site that’s not only legal but also safe, fair, and tailored to your betting style.

1. Licensing & Regulation: The first thing we look for is a provincial licence. You should verify that the operator appears on my province’s official list, AGCO in Ontario or BCLC in British Columbia, and states compliance with Criminal Code paragraph 207(4)(b) as amended by Bill C-218. Seeing a regulator’s seal gives you confidence the site meets strict standards for fairness and security.
2. Payment Methods & Payout Speed: Next, we assess the payment options and withdrawal times. A top legal sports betting site supports Interac e-Transfer, credit cards, e-wallets like PayPal or Skrill, and even crypto. We check that e-wallet withdrawals process in about 24 hours, and bank transfers clear within 3–5 days. Low minimums (around $10) and zero fees are non-negotiable for us.
3. Bonuses & Promotions: We then examine the bonus structure. We want transparent wagering requirements, ideally 30× or less on free-bet credits, and a steady stream of reload offers, odds boosts, and loyalty rewards. We also confirm there are no hidden provincial caps on bonus amounts. In our experience, clear terms separate worthwhile sportsbook bonuses from marketing fluff.
4. Odds & Market Variety: Competitive odds are crucial for any legal sports betting operator. We compare moneyline, spread and totals across sites. Smaller vig means better long-term returns. We also look for deep market coverage, from major leagues to niche props, plus a robust live-betting interface. A platform with rich in-play options keeps you engaged throughout the game.
5. User Experience & Mobile App: A smooth user interface makes or breaks the enjoyment. We favor sites with simple navigation, an uncluttered bet slip and fast load times. Native iOS and Android apps are a must as they tend to run more smoothly than mobile browsers and deliver bet alerts in real time.
6. Security & Fairness: We confirm every legal sports betting site uses SSL encryption (the padlock icon and “https://” in the URL). We also check for independent audits of their Random-Number Generators (eCOGRA, iTech Labs) to ensure fair outcomes. Finally, we look for integrity-monitoring disclosures showing the operator cooperates with sports leagues and watchdogs.
7. Responsible-Gambling Tools: Responsible-gaming features are non-negotiable. We make sure the site offers deposit and loss limits, and both operator-level and province-wide self-exclusion options (like Ontario’s centralized program). We also look for prominent links to support organizations such as Gamblers Anonymous or ConnexOntario.
8. Customer Support & Reputation: Reliable customer service is essential. We test live chat, email and phone support to ensure help is available 24/7. We read independent user reviews on legal sports betting sites to spot recurring issues. Transparent terms and speedy dispute resolution build trust over time.
9. Terms & Conditions & Transparency: Finally, we scrutinize the terms and conditions. We want clear game-rule documents, full disclosure of any fees, and a privacy policy that complies with PIPEDA and provincial gambling laws. If anything seems vague or hidden, you should move on. Transparency is a hallmark of a truly legal, player-focused sportsbook.

The arrival of legal sports betting in Canada represents a true turning point. Today, nearly every province offers provincially regulated online betting sites and apps that adhere to local gambling laws and protect your play with age checks, KYC, deposit controls and self-exclusion tools. That means you can wager on your favourite teams with confidence, never in the grey offshore zone.

As always, check your local rules before signing up. Each regulator sets its own age limit, market offerings and responsible-gaming safeguards. Once you’ve confirmed you’re playing on a licensed site, you can focus on what matters: enjoying the game and making smart bets. Bet responsibly, stay informed, and make the most of Canada’s safe, legal sports-betting industry.

[1] https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/43-2/c-218

[2] https://ucalgary.scholaris.ca/server/api/core/bitstreams/7695217c-94c7-463c-8474-b1c596bca97a/content September 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2025.

[3] https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/43-1/c-218

[4] https://sencanada.ca/en/content/sen/chamber/432/debates/053db_2021-06-22-e?language=e

[5] https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/canada-sports-betting-1.6138865 12 August 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2025.

[6] https://burlingtongazette.ca/the-evolution-of-sports-gambling-in-canada-a-historical-perspective/ 7 December 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2025.

[7] https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-46/section-207.html

[8] https://journals.indianapolis.iu.edu/index.php/jlas/article/download/26437/24364/50929

[9] https://casino.betmgm.com/en/blog/history-future-gambling-canada/ 5 September 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2025.

[11] https://about.olg.ca/our-company/our-history/1990-1999/

[12] https://about.olg.ca/our-company/our-history/2020-present/

[13] https://sigma.world/news/o-canada-the-history-and-state-of-sports-betting-in-the-great-white-north/ 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2025.

[14] https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-46/section-207.html

[15] https://www.agco.ca/en/lottery-and-gaming/sport-and-event-betting-ontario-player-information

[16] https://corporate.bclc.com/articles/our-business/2022/more-than--170-million-in-single-event-bets-placed-on-playnow-co.html

[17] https://aglc.ca/

[18] https://portail.lotoquebec.com/

[19] https://www.mbll.ca/

[20] https://www.slga.com/

[21] https://novascotia.ca/sns/access/alcohol-gaming/about/acts-regulations-and-policies.asp

[22] https://www.alc.ca/content/alc/en.html

[23] https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/sites/default/files/publications/lotteries_2023-2024_0.pdf

[24] https://yukon.ca/en/yukon-lottery-commission-lotteries-yukon

[25] https://www.maca.gov.nt.ca/sites/maca/files/resources/terms-and-conditions-for-lotteries-in-the-nwt1.pdf

[26] https://connexontario.ca/

[27] https://gamblersanonymous.org/

[28] https://www.gamcare.org.uk/understanding-your-gambling/

[29] https://www.igamingontario.ca/en