How to get a Gambling License in Canada 2023

26. 04. 2023

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Gambling is legal in Canada, but the rules vary from province to province and territory to territory. The federal government allows each region to independently regulate and issue a gambling license in Canada according to its internal rules.

The gambling industry in Canada: what you need to know

Canada is a federation that is divided into 10 provinces and 3 territories. At the federal level, the gambling industry is regulated by the Criminal Code, under which gambling is illegal. The exception is when the local government has made a different decision and has taken control of the gambling industry in the region.

At the level of the country - this direction is regulated by the Canadian Gambling Commission. It does not interfere with local laws, so both offline and online gambling is controlled at the regional and territorial level:

Alberta - only charitable and religious organizations can offer gambling services. Only the PlayAlberta gaming platform is officially allowed to operate in the region.
British Columbia - local authorities allow offline casinos, but when it comes to online business, only PlayNow platform is official.
Newfoundland and Labrador - gambling is prohibited in the region, except for sports betting on Pro-Line portal.
Saskatchewan - gambling is illegal.

Only two regions of Ontario and Kanawake offer foreigners the opportunity to work in the gambling industry. To receive a gambling license in Canada must pass a thorough check with the regulator, collect a large number of documents and meet other requirements.

Gambling business in Ontario

The Alcohol and Gambling Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has developed a system specifically for foreigners which has made their business legal and brings profit to the provincial budget. To do so, the company must register in Ontario, after which the AGCO authorizes them to provide gambling services to local residents. To do this, the operator must sign a publicity agreement with iGaming Ontario, which will oversee their operations.

Gambling in Kanawake

Kanawake is an area in Canada that is not subject to federal laws. The land is owned by the Mohawk Indians, who live here by their own rules.

The Gambling Commission here was created in 1996, and it grants several types of licenses to operators. The commission works with both local and international operators. The exception is casinos that offer services to U.S. customers.

Among Kanawake's advantages:

No corporate taxes or additional gambling commissions;
Absence of minimum capital requirements;
Online casinos can legally use software from reliable developers, install payment systems on the site.

Casinos that operate under a Kanawake license are trusted by players because the Commission does protect their rights. If it detects cases of fraud, it punishes unscrupulous operators.