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Is Gambling Legal in Canada

Gambling is legal in Canada provided that operators are licensed and subject to regulation by the provincial or federal government. Each province and territory has adopted legislation that governs gambling practices.

Provincial Authorities

All provinces have authorized their gaming authorities to license and regulate gaming and betting activities. Examples of provincial authorities are New Brunswick Gaming Control and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.

Legal Forms by Province

Betting on games is legal in Quebec since 1970, with different options added over time. The forms currently allowed include sports betting, online gambling, lottery, horse racing, and casinos. The Quebec Alcohol, Racing, and Gaming Commission are tasked with overseeing all forms and activities. Gambling is also legal in Ontario, including forms such as charitable betting, lottery, sports betting, horse racing, slots machines, and casinos. Slots machines can be found at different venues such as racetracks and casinos. The situation is a bit different in some of the territories. In Yukon, for example, legal forms include online and sports betting, three-day casinos, lottery, and charitable gaming. There are no permanent casinos on the territory of Yukon but only establishments that can operate over a three-day period. Visitors can play games such as wheels of fortune, roulette, and blackjack provided that they are 19 years or older. The allowed forms of gambling in the Northwest Territories include online, charitable, and sports betting, horse racing, and video lottery terminals and slots. Types of charitable gaming for residents to play are casino-style gaming, raffles, poker tournaments, pull-tickets, and bingo. With regards to sports betting, there are plenty of options to choose from, including over/unders, point spreads, pools, and props. Online gambling is legal, and this holds for casinos and sportsbooks. Finally, a more limited number of forms are legal in Nunavut, including online gambling, sports betting, land-based casinos, and lottery games. While casinos are allowed to operate on the territory of Nunavut, there is currently no onsite casino because of its remote location and low population density.

While a wide variety of betting forms are legal in Canada, there are also some illegal activities such as non-government regulated lottery and video game machines and private betting houses.

Financial Institutions That Permit Online Gambling

The financial institutions that permit online gaming include Toronto-Dominion, RBC, CIBC, and Bank of Montreal. Four of the big banks allow betting at international platforms, the only exception being the Bank of Nova Scotia. The accepted payment methods for online transactions include direct bank transfer, eCheck/ACH deposits, and Visa debit and credit cards. When making an eCheck/ACH deposit, players enter their bank account number, institution number, transit number, and bank’s name.

What Else to Know

Note that it is illegal to operate an online casino all over Canada but Canadians can legally bet at offshore platforms. US citizens are not permitted to gamble online as they are asked to show proof of residence and proof of identity. For Canadian citizens, winnings are tax-fee unless activities are regarded as employment based on factors such as expectation of payout, frequency of gambling, and skill. The legal age to play varies by territory or province and is the same as the drinking age. The only provinces that allow visitors aged 18 to bet are Quebec, Manitoba, and Alberta.

Gambling Addiction

Whether it is playing slots, poker, roulette, or bingo, pathological gambling can ruin your finances and relationships as it is an addictive behavior. It is an impulse-control disorder that often makes players borrow heavily, lose their homes, and even steal to bet.

Symptoms and Signs

Persons with gambling disorder often play when they feel depressed, anxious, or distressed. This is a way to escape reality and problems. Players end up losing work or school opportunities, their job, and family relationships. They bet more and more money and try to stop or control their gambling but then return to make back the money they lost. The emotional signs that point to addictive behavior include hopelessness, anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. Depression often causes dark circles under the eyes, weight loss or gain, pale skin, and sleeping difficulty. Stress-related signs include loss of appetite, bowel and stomach problems, and headaches. Unexplained outbursts of anger and mood swings also point to addiction.

Financial signs include money missing from wallets and bank accounts, valuables and household items disappearing, money withdrawn from insurance plans, RRSPs, and savings accounts, salary advances, and heavy borrowing.

Risk Factors

There are risk factors associated with gambling addiction, including medications for restless leg syndrome and Parkinson’s disease, family or friends that are betting heavily, sex, and age. Mental health disorders are also associated with compulsive gambling, including ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, and substance abuse problems. Personality traits that increase the risk include being easily bored and seeking excitement, impulsive, and competitive.

Where to Seek Help

Players with addiction and their family members can call a toll free help line for their territory or province. Such are the Northwest Territories General Help Line, Manitoba Addictions Help Line, and Ontario ConnexOntario Help Line. ConnexOntario, for example, offers help, support, and information about community support options and counseling services. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health also offers outpatient services such as psychiatric consultations, individual and group treatment for youth, adults, and family members, referrals and assessment, and a mindfulness group. The program is also intended for persons with problematic technology use, including smartphone, social media, gaming, and computers. Treatment groups for problem technology use and gambling focus on putting limits and behavioral change. Participants explore topics such as early coping strategies, ways to maintain motivation, self-exclusion, and coping with difficult emotions. Participants also learn how to identify and control urges and triggers and how to prevent relapses. Groups for family members and parents focus on self-care, setting limits and boundaries, communication strategies, and relationship building. Support groups target family members such as adult children, siblings, and partners.

Different programs are also available across Canada such as the British Columbia Responsible & Problem Gambling Program which offers free services to residents. Services include intensive day treatment and group therapy and support services for family members, couples, and individuals. Gam Info Rep is a service that offers resources, referral, and support, including community support such as debt management and community mental health services.