How is gambling governed in Canada?
Gambling is only legal in Canada if offered through licensed facilities. Any unlicensed gambling is an offence under the Criminal Code. Criminal laws are the jurisdiction of the federal government. But 207(1) of the Criminal Code lets provinces make their own regulations on casinos.
The Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Act and Gaming, Liquor, And Cannabis Regulation govern gambling in Alberta.
Last Updated: December 2022
Where can I read these gambling laws or get copies?
CanLII.org is a Canadian website with online versions of Canadian laws available for free. The King’s Printer is the official publisher of Alberta’s laws and more. You can read laws for free on its website or order paper copies for a fee.
Last Updated: December 2022
Who oversees gambling in Alberta?
The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) oversees gambling, alcohol, and cannabis industries in the province. AGLC is a Crown commercial enterprise and agency and gets its authority from the Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Act.
The AGLC gives out gambling licences. It can also audit licenced places at any time to make sure they are following the rules.
Last Updated: December 2022
What kind of gambling is legal in Alberta?
The Gaming, Liquor, And Cannabis Act says no one may manage a gambling activity without a proper licence from the AGLC. This does not include private betting between individuals, which is legal as long as it is not involved as a business and is not for-profit.
Types of allowed gambling with licences are raffles, pull tickets, lotteries, bingo, slot machines, and certain kinds of sports betting. There are also other kinds of gaming that often take place in casinos, including card games like blackjack.
The province of Alberta lets charities or religious organizations get licenced. They must use the proceeds from gaming for charity or religious causes. This also lets First Nations communities host casinos on reserves, as long as the money benefits the community. This money can go toward education, cultural events, housing, and more on the reserve. You can find more information about this at the AGLC website.
To get a licence, you must apply using the forms on the AGLC website. These forms ask what kinds of gambling you want to be licenced for. They will also ask you to describe what kind of community benefit or charitable outcomes you expect from the gaming. If you want to apply for a licence, be prepared and have important documents and contact information on hand. You will need time to fill out the forms. Once you apply, you will get a decision in writing. Even after you become licenced, the AGLC can audit you at any time to make sure you are still eligible.
Even small events require a licence. For example, say your hockey team or office social committee wants to run a raffle during the holiday season to raise some money. While it may seem like a simple fundraiser, only charitable organizations can run raffles and require a licence to do so. Learn more from the AGLC.
Last Updated: December 2022
Is online gambling legal in Alberta?
Play Alberta is Alberta’s only official online gambling site. Provided you are an adult and follow the rules, it is completely legal to gamble there. All money the website makes supports provincial services and programs.
Though charities and religious organizations can get licenced for regular gambling, they cannot be licenced to host online gambling. This rule was confirmed in a 2022 Alberta court case called Tsuu T’ina Gaming Limited Partnership v Alberta (Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission).
There are a lot of unregulated gambling spaces on the internet. By using your province’s official site, you can avoid accidental illegal gambling.
Last Updated: December 2022
What are the consequences of unlicensed or illegal gambling?
Gambling provisions are found in Part VII of the Criminal Code. The Code uses phrases like “common betting house” or “common gaming house” to mean unlicenced gambling venues. Someone found guilty of running a common gaming house can spend up to two years in prison. Participating in gambling at a common gaming house is also an offence punishable by law. Cheating or committing fraud while gambling can also be punishable by up to two years in prison.
Playing on an illegal gambling website can be punishable by the law. Outside of the province’s official website, any organization running a gambling website is illegal. This includes charities and religious organizations, even though they can get licenced for in-person gambling.
Private bets between individuals are not a crime. But they cannot be for-profit or involved in the gambling business, or they will be caught by the Criminal Code prohibitions.
Last Updated: December 2022
Do I have to pay taxes on my gambling winnings?
Usually no, but it depends. Under Canada’s Income Tax Act, money you win in Canada by being lucky is considered a “windfall” and not taxable. That can change though if you win the money outside of Canada, even if you’re a Canadian citizen. Be careful when gambling outside of Canada as different countries have different tax laws. Even the United States has very different tax laws than Canada does.
While gaming winnings in Canada are not taxable, what you do with them often is. For example, if you invest gambling winnings, income from that investment is taxable.
The Income Tax Folio S3-F9-C1 from the Canada Revenue Agency has some information on this. It says gambling prizes are not taxable unless they are from employment, a business or a property, or a prize for achievement in a field you ordinarily take part in. Keep in mind that folios from the CRA are very helpful but are not legally guaranteed to be correct. If you are not sure whether money you have is taxable, speak to an expert.
For more information, see the LawNow article “Is Good Luck Taxable?”.
Last Updated: December 2022
I’m a minor. Can I gamble?
No. In Alberta, you must be 18 to gamble. Other provinces may have different age requirements.
Minors are not allowed in casinos or in racing entertainment centres. For other gambling venues, whether minors can come in depends on the licence. Even if they can come into the venue, they are not allowed to gamble.
Last Updated: December 2022
I have a lot of debt from gambling. What can I do about it?
CPLEA has more information on debt and how to manage it:
- Collection and Debt Repayment FAQs
- Bankruptcy FAQs, including information on debt control and options besides declaring bankruptcy
- Help with Debt Alberta, a tool where you will answer a few questions to help you find relevant resources about debt
Last Updated: December 2022
I think I’m addicted to gambling or I have a family member who is addicted. What can I do about it?
The Self-Exclusion Program can help people struggling with gambling. Through the program, you voluntarily agree to be excluded from a casino or racing entertainment centre for a period of time. If you try to enter, you will be removed from the property.
Only the person seeking self-exclusion can sign up. You can sign up in person at one of their centres. All casinos and racing entertainment centres should also have resources so you can sign up to the program. You can find more information on this program on the AGLC website.
Call 211, text INFO to 211 or chat online to find other community services in your area.
Last Updated: December 2022
Where can I find research on gambling?
The Alberta Gaming Research Institute oversees research into gambling and gaming in Alberta. The Institute was created by the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary, and the University of Lethbridge. Learn more on the Institute’s website.
Last Updated: December 2022
Where can I find more information on gambling or gambling addiction?
The AGLC has partnered with a website called GameSense, which helps explain different types of gambling and how they work.
Other resources include:
Call 211, text INFO to 211 or chat online to find other community services in your area.
Last Updated: December 2022
