Betting and gambling are two of the oldest forms of entertainment, and they keep delighting us even today.
As it turns out, we’ve been betting ever since ancient China and Greece, and we haven’t stopped since. Still, back then, people used to bet on animal fights and all sorts of activities that today are considered illegal. However, betting laws and regulations are not a modern concept – ancient civilizations had their own way of dealing with gambling fraud and addiction (which wasn’t at all pleasant for the punished).
Even more, in ancient Greece, gambling and betting were either praised and attributed to the gods (Hermes and Pan were the two gods of fun and adventurous activities) or damned and considered tools of evil. Overall, the situation hasn’t changed much in this aspect – even today we have people who find these activities fun and relaxing while others consider them a waste of time and money.
Still, the one aspect that’s much improved is the regulations. In today’s world, each country and region has the possibility to define what is correct betting behavior and how to establish the winners and losers. Even more, there are different regulations for land betting stores and online sites (such as Casumo betting).
So, if you want to make sure it is safe to place a bet on a sportive activity in your region, it’s best to check the local regulations. Today, we will discuss betting laws in Canada, for both land casinos and online ones.
Is it Legal to Bet on Sports in Canada?
Sadly, Canadian laws regarding gambling and betting are in a grey area right now (like it is in many other parts of the world). While betting and gambling are not considered illegal activities, the laws can be confusing, especially when it comes to online gambling. This happens because the modern world and its level of connectivity are advancing at an incredibly fast pace, and legislators have a hard time keeping up.
Still, Canadians love sports betting and they do it on curling, soccer, horse racing, ice hockey, and any other activity that stirs their passion and excitement. However, it’s important to remember that each province and territory that’s under the Canadian flag can add to the basic rules already in place.
Who is in Charge?
Canadian laws that regulate gaming and betting for both land and online casinos are defined in the Criminal Code of Canada (part 7). These laws apply on Canadian soil and provide Canadian provinces with the power to grant and revoke licenses for both online and land-based casinos.
However, we also need to consider the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, which is a gaming regulatory body that enjoys a special status. This regulatory body is in charge of the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake, where most Canadian online gambling operators are situated.
The province has been granted special powers, in a try to make the laws more tolerant towards internet gambling communities.
In short, Canadian sports betting regulations are issued and maintained by the federal government and the individual provincial governments. Still, online gaming laws are a bit behind, which is why the Kahnawake Gaming Commission is a solution of compromise.
Online Gambling & Betting in Canada
The law clearly states that any gambling site based on Canadian territory must have a government-issued license for this activity. Still, what happens to the offshore betting sites that don’t really care about provincial restrictions?
This is where the area gets murky. On one hand, the law clearly states that companies cannot operate online casinos and poker rooms in the nation of Canada. On the other hand, most gaming servers that operate in Canada are located in the Kahnawake native reserve. So, while the law says one thing, the reality is completely different.
In short, betting and gambling are legal in Canada but online casinos are a bit of a messy situation. It may take a while before we have something clear, especially since the internet is growing and evolving at an incredible rate. As such, it’s best to make sure you’re only using accepted sites that won’t endanger your finances.
Wrap Up
In conclusion, as long as you are of legal age and use officially licensed online or land services, you are on the right side of the law. However, offshore betting sites remain in an unstable situation in Canada, due to outdated and confusing laws that have yet to be reconsidered.
