An Overview of Canada's Gambling Laws in 2021
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Gambling and betting for real money are popular entertainment activities in Canada. There are a lot of options in both land-based and online casinos. Canada hasn't always been a gambling-friendly country, but today, the industry is booming.
Gambling was legalized in Canada in the 1960s. First commercial casino opened in Winnipeg in 1989 and a casino in Montreal in 1993. Gambling legislation gradually grew and evolved to keep up with the changing gambling laws.
The legal gambling age in Canada is 19. There are more than 100 gambling venues across the country. The rules regarding online casinos are a bit more ambiguous.
There are no laws regarding online gambling in Canada. The relationship between the government and private companies regarding gambling varies from province to province. There are a number of licensed, regulated and very reputable online casinos in the country. Many Canadians choose to play online at offshore casinos.
In 2019, Canada's gambling industry is estimated to be worth $14 billion. Lawmakers in Canada want to legalize the industry and collect the money for social programs and education.
Bill C-218 is being discussed to allow single-game sports betting in Canada. Ontario's state legislature has reopened discussions related to igaming in the province. The state has also proposed the establishment of online casinos in Ontario.
The online casino market in Canada is one of the best in the world. Canadian tax law treats gambling winnings as "windfalls" so no taxes are ever levied on casino winings.
