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The world is in the grips of a gambling frenzy, as millions of players around the globe are logging onto online casinos to lay down a wager. As the ways to play increase and punters commit more time to the action, the industry continues to move forward at hyper speed. While this is certainly exciting, it does mean that it can create a bit of confusion for those new to gambling or anyone who's wondering about the legalities of it all.
Helping you get to grips with gambling further, the following is full break down of what you need to know about gambling ages in Canada.
The average legal gambling age in Canada is 19, but all gambling laws across Canadian territories are determined by the government. For example, whereas the legal gambling age in Ontario; Toronto, Ottowa, Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton and London is 19, the legal gambling age in Montreal is 18. The point being, where you play makes a difference.
Legally speaking, you need to be 19 to enter most casinos in Canada, except for Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec where the admissible age is 18. These gambling age laws also apply to the online gambling industry, so much like land-based casinos, you'll be required to prove your age in order to start betting. For a full list of all legal gambling ages in Canada, per province, see the map and table below.
Canada has kicked the doors open to the hottest online gambling action in the world, with there being a wealth of choice at hand for anyone that fancies a flutter. Helping you get your head around the choice you're likely to face, the following is a low-down on the various types of gambling you'll encounter on Canadian shores.
Starting with the most popular way to gamble in Canada, as nothing quite beats a trip to a casino. The glitz, glamour, and gambling fever is in the air of any casino you walk through the doors of, with most housing an outlandish amount of games. From the hottest slots to tabletop classics, the casino scene in Canada is undoubtedly alive and kicking.
Poker is far and away the most popular card game in the world, with its popularity certainly not escaping Canadian markets. Largely based online these days, poker in Canada is all about the competition, but we’re not just talking about what takes place on the tables. No matter what form of poker takes your fancy, you’ll find it at one of the numerous online poker sites in Canada for sure.
It’s the simplest form of gambling in the world, with the lottery scene in Canada being particularly crowded. Covering province and national play, with even an NHL-focused lottery snuck into the mix, those who like to put full-faith in the numbers can do so with minimal fuss in Canada.
From one way of putting faith in the numbers to another, bingo has certainly been on the comeback trail in recent years. Helping this revival, bingo in Canada is arguably just as prominent as in other big-time gambling markets such as the United Kingdom. Once the exclusive realm of mature audiences, bingo is now entertaining all demographics.
Those willing to head “offshore” as it were can also get involved in sports betting. As you may already be aware, it’s illegal for any company based in Canada to run a sports betting platform. However, there is nothing stopping any Canadian resident from making use of international sites, which will likely put the biggest off-track betting markets within touching distance.
Online slots have meshed together quick fix entertainment and big-time payouts in single game format, which makes for a pretty exhilarating way to gamble. Found in both land-based casinos and online casinos, those of Canada gambling age are guaranteed thrills whenever they spin the reels.
There's nothing quite like tacking in a tipple or two while you're sat at the tables. However, should you wish to do that while betting at any casino in Canada, you’ll need to meet the minimum drinking age.
The life of a croupier or dealer is painted as glamorous and sophisticated in the movies. While it doesn't quite appear that way in real life, there is still a certain level of pizzazz to this line of work. There are 111 casinos spread across the various provinces in Canada that offer up plenty of employment opportunities. There is an array of benefits to pursuing a career in Canada's growing casino industry too, including the following:
Obviously, to work in a Canadian casino you will need to meet the minimum gambling age and drinking age. This is because not only will you be handling cash, issuing betting chips, and controlling tables, but in all likelihood you will also be required to serve alcohol as well.
Online gambling in Canada follows a similar track to land-based casinos, with all provinces offering legalized online gambling in one form or another, as long as the site has government licensing and approval. What this means is that you don't need to rely on old-fashioned lottery tickets in order to get a taste of prize-loaded gambling action.
It might be a little bit late to the dance - as Europe has been at the forefront of ambling for years - but Canada has a growing online casino scene that is seemingly getting bigger by the day.
Gambling in Canada is for all intents and purposes legal, so you can be sure that any licensed site that ends in “.ca” will be somewhere to place down a wager or two. Matters regarding international sites have become a bit of a grey area.
It’s a bit of a minefield to navigate, but as long as the site is emanating from a county where online betting is legal, it should be fine for use in Canada – as such doesn’t fall under any particular Canadian law that would prohibit doing so.
If you're geared up and ready to gamble in Canada - offline, online, or otherwise - you're probably going to need to verify your age. The whole reasoning behind the proof of age verification processes is to show the casino that not only are you of legal gambling age Canada, but that you are exactly who you say you are. When the time comes to show your proof of age, which will happen either during registration or when you attempt to withdraw any winnings, odds are you'll receive a direct request for this information.
The accepted documents for proof of age will vary between casinos, but there are a few documents that appear to be accepted everywhere.
First up, as a strict legal proof of age a passport or driving license should suffice, while a government issue ID might also be accepted.
Should a simple proof of name and address be required, any Government Issue document or recent utility bill will usually be accepted.
Just remember, proof of age is a part of the gambling process in Canada, so make sure you have your documents at the ready.
