Canada takes a provincial approach to gambling regulation. Each province has its own gaming authority, and the legal landscape varies significantly across the country.
Ontario launched its regulated online gambling market in 2022 through the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). Licensed operators in Ontario can offer online casino games and sports betting, though crypto adoption among licensed sites has been limited.
Other provinces like British Columbia (PlayNow), Quebec (Espacejeux), and Alberta have their own provincial gambling platforms but have not embraced cryptocurrency. Players in these provinces commonly use offshore crypto casinos licensed in Curacao or other jurisdictions.
Canadian federal law does not explicitly prohibit players from using offshore gambling sites. The Criminal Code of Canada targets operators rather than individual players. Cryptocurrency gambling winnings in Canada are generally not taxed for recreational players, though professional gamblers may need to report income.
