The legal gambling age in different countries is something I've always found fascinating in the gambling sector. To take it a step further, because gambling regulations must be enforced at the state level, various legal ages may exist in different sections of a country. Gambling regulations in Canada are governed at the provincial or territorial level.
As the number of countries that have legalized gambling grows, particularly in North America, there is a lot of information to take in before entering the casinos, sportsbooks, slots, or online versions of all three. The most crucial of these is the legal gambling age in Canada, which we'll discuss in the next post.
In Canada, what is the legal gambling age?
In Canada, the legal gambling age is generally 19 years old. It does, however, vary geographically, as do many other countries around the world. The legal gambling age is not the same everywhere.
As previously stated, Canada's live casino gambling regulations are governed at the provincial level, hence the legal gambling age varies from province to province, or in Canada's case, province to territory.
Residents in Canada who are of legal gambling age are permitted to enter casinos, play provincial lotteries, purchase scratch tickets, and gamble online.
Below is a complete list of the legal gambling age in Canada, broken down by province and territory.
Province/Territory | Major Cities | Legal Gambling Age
Ontario
- Toronto, Ottawa, London
- 19
Quebec
- Montreal, Quebec City, Laval
- 18
Newfoundland
- John’s, Corner Brook
- 19
Nova Scotia
- Halifax, Sydney
- 19
Prince Edward Island
- Charlottetown, Summerside
- 19
New Brunswick
- Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton
- 19
Manitoba
- Winnipeg, Brandon
- 18
Saskatchewan
- Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert
- 19
Alberta
- Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer
- 18
British Columbia
- Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey
- 19
Yukon
- Whitehorse
- 19
Northwest Territories
- Yellowknife
- 19
Nunavut
- Iqaluit
- 19
That is all there is to it. Each of Canada's ten provinces and three territories has a different gambling age. If you're intending on gambling in Canada, be sure you're of legal gambling age. And, as usual, carry proper government-issued identification with you just in case!
First-Time Gamblers' Favorite Casino Games
While most new Canadian gamblers stick to low-cost games like slots and low-minimum card games, seasoned Canadian gamblers prefer higher-stakes games like blackjack and roulette, which don't need much strategy.
Of course, online gambling is legal in Canada, whether at an online casino or a sportsbook.
Although gambling rules in Canada are still severe in some locations, and they might vary from province to province, gambling online in Canada is undoubtedly the most convenient way to go.
Intimately connected to the legal drinking age
The clear association between the legal gambling age in Canada and the legal drinking age in the individual provinces is also worth noting. The gambling and drinking ages are the same in each province, although each has its unique set of restrictions in these two areas.
Given the evidence on alcohol overconsumption and the consequences it can have on young adults as young as 18, the drinking age of 18 in Quebec, Manitoba, and Alberta has come under review. There has also been researched done on the effects of alcohol on those aged 19 to 24.
Nonetheless, it does not appear that the legal gambling and drinking ages in Canada are in risk of being changed at this time. However, as research progresses, raising the legal age to a few years older is not out of the question.
The simple reason for the little difference between Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec is because the regulations are managed on a provincial level, despite the fact that the legal ages have varied in the past.
The drinking age in Ontario, for example, was decreased from 21 to 18 in 1971 but was raised by one year to 19 in 1979. The main reason for that adjustment was that Ontario did not want high school students to be allowed to consume alcohol lawfully.
Because you are regarded as an adult in the country as a whole at the age of 18, the three aforementioned provinces have agreed to adopt a legal drinking age that corresponds to the year of adulthood.
Conclusion
Another thing to keep in mind is that the legal gambling age is the same whether you gamble online or in person. As a result, Canadian gamblers who match their local standards are also able to play online.
Check out our page on Canada gambling regulations if you're ready to start gambling online from your province or territory but aren't sure if it's legal. Visit the page to find out what's legal and what's not, whether it's casino gambling or sports betting.
Best of luck with your wagers, and always gamble responsibly!
