How Old Do You Have to Be to Gamble in Canada?
The legal gambling age in Canada is 19 - or 18 if you live in Quebec, Alberta, or Manitoba.
Unlike most other countries around the world, there isn’t a set age for the whole of Canada, and that’s because gambling is regulated provincially. Each of the ten provinces will set and follow rules for gambling activities, so here’s a quick summary that shows the legal gambling age everywhere:
Province | Legal Gambling Age |
|---|---|
Alberta | 18 |
British Columbia | 19 |
Manitoba | 18 |
New Brunswick | 19 |
Newfoundland and Labrador | 19 |
Nova Scotia | 19 |
Ontario | 19 |
Prince Edward Island | 19 |
Quebec | 18 |
Saskatchewan | 19 |
This table looks at the minimum gambling age for general gambling activities, which includes visiting casinos, joining online casinos, betting on sports and so on. It doesn’t take into account the rules some provinces have regarding lotteries - but I’ll explain that in a moment; don’t worry!
What About Lotteries & Lottery Products?
This is where things get quite confusing when you look at a couple of Canadian provinces - I’m talking about you, Ontario and Saskatchewan!
While you have to be 19 to gamble in both provinces, the rules are different when the lottery is involved. If you have a look below, you’ll find a screenshot taken from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s website:
As shown here, you can technically be 18 in Ontario, and you’ll have access to lottery products - what’s also interesting is that it says you can bet on sports in-store as well. Nevertheless, you won’t be able to participate in any casino-related gambling activities (or online sports betting, weirdly) until you’re 19.
Saskatchewan is slightly more straightforward in that you can be 18, but only if you are participating in lotteries run by the WCLC. Here’s evidence of that taken from the WCLC’s website:
The WCLC is a lottery corporation that runs lottery draws across Canada in Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, and a few other territories.
I’ve tried as hard as I can and can’t really find any particular reason or government resource that explains why these two provinces have separate rules for lotteries and casino gambling. It’s just the way it is. What’s also quite interesting is that you can technically create an account to use the OLG website in Ontario, but it will be a lottery-only account that blocks you from playing other casino-style games.
What Determines the Legal Gambling Age?
You will find that the legal gambling age across the Canadian provinces falls in line with each province’s legal age for drinking alcohol. That’s not a coincidence; it’s because gambling is normally regulated by the province’s “alcohol and gaming” government agency.
Also, most people think that there’s a bit of common sense going on. Land-based casinos throughout Canada sell alcohol as a way to make money, so it makes sense to align the legal gambling age with the drinking age to make life easier for employees.
Let’s Wrap It All Up
Okay, say it with me: the legal gambling age in Canada is 19 for all provinces and territories apart from Alberta, Quebec, and Manitoba. In those three provinces, the legal gambling age is reduced to 18.
At the same time, while the legal gambling age in Ontario and Saskatchewan is 19, both of these provinces will let you play the lottery when you’re 18.
That’s all you need to know, and you can consult the table I made further up this page to double-check the age restrictions in your specific province.
Don’t forget you’ll need real photo ID whenever you want to gamble in Canada. Casinos will ID you at the door, while online casinos need verification so they can prove you’re of legal age. If you don’t have a passport, driver’s licence, or ID card, you should get one!
Ben Tremblay
Copywriter & Head of Content
With hundreds of hours dedicated to online gaming, Ben knows what it takes to find a reliable casino and break down its pros and cons. He’s a specialist in responsible gaming tips and covers content related to all aspects of the Canadian online gaming space.
