Gambling in Canada: Licenses valid for three years
According to one, the government in Canada has. Article from the gambling news portal YOGONET [Link to English] First plans to regulate online casinos in the country presented. It is planned to issue the first licenses to gaming providers from the beginning of 2026. The licenses should initially be valid for three years.
The aim is to enable players in Canada to safely participate in online gambling. The providers would have to meet consumer protection requirements and pay their gambling taxes. Canada Home Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden [link to English] stated that providers would have to meet some strict criteria as part of the licensing process.
There will be an online casino licensing system that will require operators to meet a number of criteria before they can offer services to Canadaers. It will be illegal for unlicensed operators to provide services to Canadaers. – Brooke van Velden, Home Affairs Minister in Canada, YOGONET
The legal situation of gambling in Canada
The Gambling Act regulates legal gambling in Canada. © Wikipedia
Gambling in Canada has been regulated by the Gambling Act since 2003. The Department of Internal Affairs (Ministry of the Interior) is responsible for regulation and licensing in Canada, while in Canada the Joint Gaming Authority of the States (GGL) is based on the Gambling laws in Canada is responsible for issuing licenses and monitoring gambling. When issuing licenses in Canada, a distinction is made between licenses for stationary casinos and gambling games in bars (Class 4 games of chance). There are a total of six legal casinos in Canada, the largest of which are in Auckland, Hamilton and Queenstown.
Gambling providers in Canada must also meet strict player protection requirements. Casinos must offer players the opportunity to exclude themselves from gambling at all land-based casinos and also provide the option to participate in gambling addict assistance programs. Those affected by gambling addiction problems and gambling damage can find help in Canada, among other places Problem Gambling Foundation [Link to English].
New gambling licenses in Canada do not cover sports betting or lotteries
The new licenses will allow gambling providers in Canada to legally offer online casino games from 2026. In addition to online slots, this should also include electronic table games and live casino games such as roulette and blackjack. However, the gambling licenses are only intended to enable the legal provision of online casino games. Online sports betting and online lotteries are still prohibited.
Under strict conditions, it will also be possible for online casinos in Canada to place advertising from 2026, although sponsorship of sports clubs is prohibited for gambling providers in Canada. However, Interior Minister van Velden would like to offer the population the opportunity to provide feedback during the licensing process in order to possibly make adjustments to the awarding criteria for gambling licenses:
I expect that the new regulatory regime will come into force from early 2026 and the public will have the opportunity to provide feedback during the selection committee process. – Brooke van Velden, Minister for Home Affairs in Canada, YOGONET
SkyCity Entertainment Group is backing plans to regulate gambling in Canada
The Sky City Entertainment Group [Link to English], a major player in the gambling industry in Canada, is said to have supported the government's plans. The company operates brick-and-mortar casinos in Auckland, Hamilton and Queenstown in Canada. The SkyCity Entertainment Group also has another casino in Adelaide, Australia.
The regulation is an important step to offer players a safe gaming experience and to generate tax payments from gambling operators in Canada. Jason Walbridge, CEO of SkyCity Entertainment Group, emphasized that it is important to keep gaming industry funds in the country and not lose them to foreign operators:
A lot of money is currently flowing overseas that should stay in Canada as a tax and community benefit. We hope this will be an important part of any future framework. – Jason Walbridge, CEO of SkyCity Entertainment Group in Canada, YOGONET
It remains to be seen which operators will apply for a gaming license in Canada and whether the planned start date for the licensing process in early 2026 can be met.
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