Canada’s Betting Laws: How Legal Changes Are Shaping Online Gambling

Canada's gambling laws have undergone significant changes over the past century. At first, they were rigid and restrictive, but gradually the country moved to a more flexible and regulated system. The foundations of regulation were laid in 1892 with the passage of the Penal Code, which made all forms of gambling illegal. However, at the beginning of the 20th century, laws began to liberalize gradually.

In 1969, the Criminal Code was amended to allow the provinces to hold lotteries. This move led to the first provincial lottery in 1974 to finance the Montreal Olympics. In 2021, the passage of Bill C-218 legalized betting on certain sporting events, opening up a billion-dollar market.

Ontario has led the way in market development by launching a regulated iGaming market in April 2022. This allowed private operators to operate legally in the market, which greatly increased competition and choice for consumers. 

Canadian players now have access to a wide range of legal betting options, which is helping to grow the online gambling market in the country.