Canada is situated in the northern part of the North American continent and has got the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other side and sharing its border with Alaska to the northwest and United States of America to the south. The sports betting industry in Canada has been growing over the past decade, and if you like to bet online, then knowledge of betting sites in Canada is essential. Thus, this guide will provide you with the information on the history of betting, sports betting platform, and the best betting sites in Canada.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
History of Canadian Laws on Gambling
The Canadian laws regarding gambling have changed over the years and this has influenced the modern sports betting in Canada.
Early Legislation
- 1892: This was the year in which the Criminal Code of Canada was passed into law, which, at the beginning, banned all forms of gambling.
- 1910: This first major change in the laws related to gambling was the legalization of horse racing.
- 1969: The federal government further modified the Criminal Code to permit lotteries, this gave way to provincial lotteries.
Modern Regulations
- 1985: The responsibility of regulating gambling was given to the federal government but this was not the case as each province was allowed to regulate it on its own.
- 2021: This was the case with the Bill C-218 that was passed paving a way for single-event sports betting in the country.
Regulatory of Betting Sites in Canada
In the various provinces, several institutions regulate the gambling activities carried out in the region.
- Alberta: Albert gaming liquor and cannabis commission.
- British Columbia: GPEB of the Ministry of Finance.
- Ontario: Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
- Québec: The Alcohols, Races and Games Board.
Prohibited and Permitted Bets
It is crucial to know what is permissible and what is not when it comes to betting.
Permitted Bets
- Sports Betting: Such as single event sports betting.
- Lotteries: It is administered by provinces.
- Casino Games: It should be noted that there are legal both land-based and online casinos in many provinces of the country.
Prohibited Bets
- Betting on Animal Fights: No, it is strictly not allowed.
- Unlicensed Platforms: All the other betting services that are not regulated by a provincial government are deemed to be unlawful.
Gambling Licenses and Fees
In order to get a gambling license in Canada there are some charges that one has to make and certain aspects that one has to fulfill;
- Ontario: AGCO also has to be informed and the company has to register with it as well. The costs are between one hundred thousand to two hundred thousand dollars per year.
- Québec: It is also cheaper with the costs of licensing ranging between $50,000 per year.
- British Columbia: The fees vary up to $250000 for the big companies every year.
Best Betting Sites in Canada
Several other sites have gained the upper hand in the Canadian market for betting;
Up To £130 + £5 Free Bets
Up To £120 + £30 Free Bets
Up To £150 + Recharge £150 Free Bets
Major Events in Canadian Sports History
Canadian sports have had many momentous moments that have excited viewers and especially the betting community;
- 1976: This was during the Summer Olympics that were held in Montreal and through this Canada came to be known in the international sporting arena.
- 1988: Calgary was the city that held the Winter Olympics which demonstrated how Canadians excel in winter related sports.
- 2010: Vancouver Winter Olympics that was held in Canada where the country emerged at the top in the gold medal Standing.
Celebrating Sports Stars
Canada has been privileged to have some outstanding sportsmen and women who has brought fame to the country;
- Wayne Gretzky: Famously known as ‘The Great One’ he is the best hockey player of the world.
- Christine Sinclair: Canada’s most famous woman soccer player and the team captain with striking goalscoring record.
- Donovan Bailey: The world’s famous Olympic gold medalist in the 100m sprint and a man with the phenomenal speed.
Gambling Laws in Neighboring Countries
This is where a comparison of Canada’s gambling laws with those of the neighboring countries can be helpful;
- United States: All the fifty states of the United States of America have their own rules regarding gambling. Some of these states have fully-fledged casinos while others have only lotteries.
- Mexico: Gambling is legal though there is a mutual existence of legal and unlawful operations and the regulation is done at the federal level.
- United Kingdom: The gambling industry in the UK is rather developed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission.
Conclusion
It can be quite fun and quite profitable to engage in sports betting in Canada if one knows the legal framework that governs the activity as well as the most suitable sites to use. Knowing the history, the main regulating authorities, and the most popular betting sites will help you make better decisions.
FAQ about Betting Sites in Canada
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