Legal Gambling Ages in Canada
Last Updated on June 26, 2025 by Mary Henderson
Thinking of hitting the local casino or digging into online gambling? First, you need to know if you’re of legal gambling age to legally gamble in Canada.
The trick is that it’s not the same for all provinces, and you definitely don’t wanna be caught when you hit those slots or try your luck at roulette (you call it). While you can freely toss a toonie in roulette in one province, the gambling rules can be way stricter in another.
Just so you know, gambling is a big deal in Canada, whether you’re hitting a local casino in Vancouver or betting on the upcoming sports event online. And with online gambling becoming even more popular, knowing where you stand legally is a must.
Here’s a former croupier’s perspective on everything you need to know about legal gambling ages in Canada.
Canada’s Gambling Scene
Before we go into the nitty-gritty of the legal gambling ages in the Land of Maple, let’s take a sneak peek at the gambling landscape as a whole so you know what you’re up to.
To be real, Canada’s gambling scene is far from the flashiest markets in the world, such as the UK, where almost every street corner has a betting spot, while online gambling is definitely at home. There’s a huge BUT.
But Canada’s gambling market is growing pretty fast. The same online sportsbooks and casinos available for Canadian players have literally skyrocketed over the past few years. And the cherry on the cake – Canada is ranked as the 7th biggest gambling market in the world. Not bad, right?
The industry is only getting bigger. Only in 2022, when the numbers started to show off, about 75% of Canucks got engaged in any form of gambling, with almost 20 million placing online bets.
If anything, it helped the country’s economy surge from a cool sum of $12.5 billion to $16 billion in just one year. So, yeah, we’re officially one of the big players.
So far so good, now, let’s talk legal gambling ages and how old you need to be to legally gamble in Canada, regardless of province.
How Old You Have to Be to Gamble in Canada?
Here’s the scoop: each province in Canada has its own rules. Where you are makes all the difference. I mean, what’s absolutely normal in Quebec may not fly in Ontario, or what’s legal in BC could be illegal in Newfoundland. Got it?
Unlike the UK, where the magic number is 18, in Canada, you’ve got to play by different rules.
Anyone from Manitoba? You’re good at 18 to engage in any form of gambling, from buying a lotto ticket to trying your luck at a slot or hitting up the local casino. But if you’re from Nova Scotia, you’ll have to play by totally different rules. You’ve gotta wait till 19 to do all the same things.
Don’t get me wrong; it’s not a small difference that doesn’t actually mean anything. Don’t pay enough attention, and the whole thing can trip you up.
Long story short, you should know your province’s rules before you plan your next trip to a casino or place your first online bet.
Canada’s Gambling Ages by Province
I’ve done the legwork for you, and here’s a full breakdown of legal gambling age across all Canadian provinces:
- Alberta: 18
- British Columbia: 19
- Manitoba: 18
- New Brunswick: 19
- Newfoundland and Labrador: 19
- Northwest Territories: 19
- Nova Scotia: 19
- Nunavut: 19
- Ontario: 19
- Prince Edward Island: 19
- Quebec: 18
- Saskatchewan: 19
- Yukon Territory: 19
These legal ages apply to any form of gambling, no matter what. It basically means that if you’re 18 and you’re from Yukon Territory, for instance, you’re not allowed to gamble. Not until you hit the magic number. It doesn’t really matter if you wanna play online or hit the local venue.
What happens if you’re not of legal age to play and get caught? Even if it’s a teeny-tiny bet. You better don’t ask such questions. I mean, you could face some pretty serious consequences, starting with fines and reaching criminal charges.
What you should do is check the legal gambling age in your province before you get in. I know, doesn’t seem like something big, but trust your good old friend (who’s been a croupier back in the day), getting caught on the wrong side of the block ain’t worth it.
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What’s on the Bet? The Many Types of Gambling in Canada
Once you’re of legal gambling age in your province, you can enjoy the main types of gambling, as in most countries. I’ll break it down to you real quick.
First off, if you’re legally old enough, you can hit up any local casino in Canada and play blackjack, roulette, poker, or spin slot reels. Tell you what, casinos are popping up everywhere like after the rain, especially in big cities. But, of course, you’ve also got the option to play from home in your PJs by simply visiting an online casino.
Then, there’s online gambling. Isn’t it the same, you may ask. Well, there are online casinos, where you can play online casino games, and online gambling platforms, where you can spin reels but also bet on your favourite sports team. The kicker? Make sure the online casino you find is licensed and regulated.
Lottery games are another popular form of gambling in Canada. You know the drill. Such gambling includes scratch cards, draw games, and sports betting. I’m sure you’ve heard about Lotto Max, Lotto 6/49, and Daily Grand – the faves in Canada.
Last but not least, if you’re a fan of a good race, you can also enjoy horse racing, which is a big thing here in Canada. You can surely jump online to bet on races happening across the country (or even worldwide), but nothing compares to some live action at the tracks.
Bottom Line: Before You Place the Bet
There you have it, folks. Whether you’re into rolling the dice at a fancy casino, spinning some cheeky reels online, or grabbing a scratchie on your coffee run, there’s plenty you can engage in, as long as you’re of legal gambling age.
Key takeaway? Always be in the know of your province’s rules, and do yourself a favour and stick to legit sites only if you go online.
Keep it fun and stay informed (a quick Google search can save you a lot of headache).
This article is written by Mary, a seasoned professional with a rich background as a casino croupier now transitioned into a digital publisher with a keen focus on the online casino scene. With years of firsthand experience on the casino floor, Mary offers her unique perspective to the digital world of gambling.
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