Canadian Online Gambling: Legal Framework
Online gambling in Canada operates under a provincially fragmented framework. This page summarizes the legislation and support services.
Legal Framework: Criminal Code & Provinces
Governed by Section 207 of the Criminal Code. Ontario uses the AGCO/iGO framework; other provinces use monopolies (OLG, BCLC, Loto-Québec).
Legal Protection (Ontario)
- Access to AGCO complaint process for dispute resolution
- Personal data processed under PIPEDA and provincial laws
- Right to transparent terms and withdrawal timescales
- Operator complaints escalated to AGCO if unresolved
Financial Security
- Player funds held in trust accounts per AGCO (Ontario)
- Guaranteed payouts backed by regulatory standards
- Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance (PCMLTFA)
- Transaction records retained per FINTRAC requirements
Fair Play
- PRNG independently tested (eCOGRA, BMM Testlabs, GLI)
- RTP configurations audited at regular intervals
- Marketing held to Ad Standards Canada codes
- Responsible gambling obligations enforced by regulators
Verifying Operator Registration
Players using unregulated operators forfeit all statutory protections.
How to Verify (Ontario):
- Navigate to iAGCO registry
- Search for the operator's trading name
- Confirm status displays "Active"
Risks of Unregulated Operators:
- Zero legal recourse through AGCO
- No mandatory fund protection
- High probability of withdrawal refusal
- No connection to Canadian self-exclusion
Age Restriction: 19+ (Ontario) / 18+ (QC/AB)
Legal age varies by province. Underage gambling is a criminal offence.
🔞 PROHIBITED FOR MINORS
Mandatory KYC verification (driver's licence, provincial ID) before deposit.
Responsible Gambling Tools
Tools mandated across regulated Canadian operators:
| Control Tool | Function | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit Limits | Daily, weekly, or monthly caps on funds | AGCO / Provincial |
| Loss Limits | Session termination at defined loss threshold | AGCO / Provincial |
| Time Reminders | Notifications on session duration and position | AGCO / Provincial |
| Time-Outs | Temporary account suspension (24h to 6 weeks) | AGCO / Provincial |
| Self-Exclusion | Account closure and marketing opt-out | AGCO / Provincial |
Crisis Support
Professional support is available 24/7 and free of charge:
Responsible Gambling Council
responsiblegambling.orgSelf-assessment tools, prevention and educational resources
Self-Exclusion Programs
Ontario players request exclusion directly through their operator's tools.
How to Self-Exclude (Ontario):
- Log in to operator account
- Navigate to Responsible Gambling settings
- Select duration and Confirm
Important Notes:
- Self-exclusion at one operator does NOT apply to others
- Ontario requires individual exclusion at each operator
- Exclusion covers online gambling through that specific operator
- Grey-market operators are not connected to provincial systems