Legal Canada Sports Betting - CA Betting Laws & Regulations 2024
Canada Legal Betting Legal Canada sports betting - betting laws & regulations 2023
The legalization of sports betting in Canada is only a recent development. It has been in the works over the last few years and learning about it can be a minefield. That's why the experts at Oddspedia have put together this page to discuss everything you should know about the rules in Canada on legal sports betting online, from the laws and regulations on betting itself to all the relevant tax responsibilities.
Sports Betting in Canada - is sports betting legal in Canada?
The simple answer is yes. However, getting to this point has been a long and arduous road. And even now that sports betting has been legalized at a Federal level, there are still more restrictions than in other countries where online gambling activities are allowed.
To begin with, let's look at the timeline that led up to legalization:
- 2012: The Canadian House of Commons passes Bill C-290 to introduce legalized sports betting.
- 2015: The bill fails to garner senate approval and falls off in the summer.
- 2020: MP Kevin Waugh introduces Bill C-218 in an attempt to legalize single-game sports betting at a federal level.
- 2021: On August 27, single-game betting is legalized. Ontario becomes the first province to legalize sports betting.
- 2022: Despite legalization being achieved, it's not until March/April that it comes to full fruition.
As you can see, it has taken nearly a decade to get to this point. And having seen how the US has handled its business doing the same, Canada is doing things a little differently. Canada is allowing each province to set its own rules, similar to the states that legalize sports betting.
However, Canada is not limiting the number of licenses that can be awarded to online betting sites. The country has also set some low-barrier entry requirements to make it easier for operators to launch. And on top of that, the legal age for gambling is relatively low at 19, although some provinces may allow adults as young as 18 to gamble.
Legal online sportsbooks in Canada
As it stands, Canada's regulators have approved over 25 sportsbooks to launch this year. These include some big players such as BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars DraftKings, and FanDuel from the US and other global brands, including Bet365 and Unibet.
Below you can find a table with a full list of all the legal sportsbook operators in Canada:
Top 39 Bookies for Canada
Sportsbook | Rating | User rating | Avg. Payout | Payout speed | Apps support | Cashout | Live stream | Bet builder | Bonus | T&C | More information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#1 Rated sportsbook
|
#1 Rated sportsbook
|
Оffer
200% Deposit Bonus up to C$3,000
T&Cs apply
|
Expert rating
User rating
Payout speed
$
Instant
| Stake.com Review | |||||||
#2
|
#2
|
Оffer
100% First Deposit Bonus up to C$150
T&Cs apply
|
Expert rating
User rating
Payout speed
$
Up to 24 hours
| Fezbet Review | |||||||
#3
|
#3
|
Оffer
100% Match Bonus up to C$350
T&Cs apply
|
Expert rating
User rating
Payout speed
$
Up to 24 hours
| TonyBet Review | |||||||
#4
|
#4
|
Оffer
100% Deposit Match up to C$600
T&Cs apply
|
Expert rating
User rating
Payout speed
$
Up to 24 hours
| BetVictor Review | |||||||
#5
|
#5
|
Оffer
Get C$5 Free Bet + 20% Cashback!
T&Cs apply
|
Expert rating
User rating
Payout speed
$
Up to 24 hours
|
Security and online betting
Many of the brands that have launched online sports betting site and mobile sports betting apps in Canada have been operating for several years. As such, they all have security measures in place for online betting to protect themselves and their customers.
One common security measure with many Canadian betting sites is that their websites have 128-bit SSL encryption, which helps keep them safe and secure. This means that you are safe visiting these sites and your data and personal information are always protected.
Betting tax in Canada
There are two forms of tax. Betting operators in Canada pay income tax, ranging from 15% to 33%, depending on their profit.
"Professional bettors" pay a tax too. However, this is a grey area because if a bettor places bets with online bookmakers for entertainment, then they owe nothing to the state when they win. And without qualifications to say you are or are not a professional because it is a self-proclaimed title, "sharps" or professionals can sometimes get away without paying taxes.
Legal gambling in Canada
Despite its legalization, there is still some opposition to the activity. Recent studies have shown that 23% of Canadians surveyed believe gambling in any form is unacceptable, with 55% saying people should be allowed to choose whether they want to or not.
This isn't just based on sports betting, either. It includes various other gambling activities in Canada, such as casinos, fantasy sports, lotteries, and poker. All of these activities operate in Canada, with more than 60% of legal-aged adults gambling in one form or another.
Betting restrictions in Canada
Betting restrictions in Canada differ between each and every province. For example, in Alberta, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission only allow charitable and religious organizations to register as gambling service providers.
Ontario is regulated by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation and is the least restricted province. It offers a combination of land-based casinos and has introduced the iGaming market to sports bettors with online casinos legalized in addition to sports betting.
As some provinces see the benefits Ontario is reaping, many other provinces are beginning to change their stance. The revenue the sports betting industry generates, plus the creation of new jobs across the country, has been a big reason why its popularity has grown among government figures.
Conclusion
Hopefully, having read through this page, you now have a better understanding of the situation regarding the legalization of sports betting in Canada.
We've covered everything from how it became legalized to who is eligible to pay taxes, leaving no stone unturned. If you decide to gamble in Canada, just make sure you do so responsibly.
FAQs about betting in Canada
Is online sports betting legal in Canada?
Online sports betting has been legal in Canada for a short while now. Originally it had a narrow scope and was limited to certain bet types, but parliament changed the criminal code to lift restrictions and allow all bets. Ontario was the first province to legalize it fully when it announced it would hand out 13 licenses on April 4, 2022.
What sports can I bet on in Canada?
You can bet on various sports, including baseball, boxing, football, hockey, soccer, and eSports. Within these markets, you can access different competitions, such as the CFL and NFL for football and the MLS and English Premier League for soccer.
Who can bet on sports in Canada?
Since sports betting became legal in Canada following a change in legislation, anyone in Canada aged 21 or over has been allowed to bet on sports, even if they are not Canadian.
Who can get a sports betting license in Canada?
Sports betting licenses are awarded to sports betting operators who meet the required standards of their local regulator. This is to ensure they offer fair services that are safe and secure for customers, and it makes it easy to spot illegal sports betting sites.
How do I report winnings for taxation in Canada?
If you earn interest on your winnings, you must report that income for taxation by filling out a T5 form.
If I don't report my gambling winnings, what happens?
Unless you are a professional and make a living from gambling, in which you would declare winnings as income like with any other job, you won't pay tax. So there is no punishment for not doing so. However, a professional gambler not reporting winnings could go down for tax evasion.
What are the thresholds for gambling winnings and taxes?
There are no thresholds for gambling winnings and taxes for those playing for entertainment. Professional gamblers will have to pay taxes depending on their income.