Gambling licenses in Canada
Canada has no federal gambling license. Under the Criminal Code, each province conducts and manages gaming and decides whether private operators can enter. Ontario and Alberta run open, regulated markets; First Nations regulators in Kahnawake and Tobique license international online gaming.
- Best for
- Choosing the right Canadian route
- Who can be licensed
- B2C operators and B2B suppliers
- Markets it serves
- —
Canada has no federal gambling license. Under section 207 of the Criminal Code, each province conducts and manages gaming and decides whether private operators can enter. Ontario and Alberta run open, regulated online markets where operators and suppliers register with the provincial regulator; Quebec remains a Loto-Québec monopoly; and First Nations regulators in Kahnawake and Tobique license international online gaming. A Kahnawake or Tobique license does not allow serving Ontario or Alberta players.
- Status
- Country overview
- Regulator
- Provincial regulators and lottery corporations
- Legal basis
- Criminal Code of Canada, s. 207
- Status checked
- October 16, 2026
Canadian routes
Regulated access to Ontario players
AlbertaLicensing openRegulated access to Alberta players
QuebecState monopolyPreparing for a future open market
KahnawakeLicensing openNorth America-facing international operators
TobiqueLicensing openOffshore-style license with a Canadian First Nations regulator
How Canada regulates online gambling
Open provincial markets
Ontario (since April 2022) and Alberta (since July 13, 2026): registration with the provincial regulator plus an agreement with the provincial iGaming corporation.
Provincial monopolies
Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Atlantic provinces offer online gambling only through their provincial lottery corporations.
First Nations regulators
Kahnawake (Quebec) and Tobique (New Brunswick) license online gaming for international players. They do not authorize Ontario or Alberta players.
Supplier registration
Platforms, game studios and other gaming-related suppliers register in each open province before working with its operators.
Where private operators can enter
| Province or regulator | Online model | Private operators | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Open regulated market since April 4, 2022 | Yes | AGCO registration + iGaming Ontario operating agreement |
| Alberta | Open regulated market since July 13, 2026, alongside PlayAlberta | Yes | AGLC registration + Alberta iGaming Corporation agreement |
| Quebec | Loto-Québec monopoly | Not yet | Reform under discussion after the October 2026 election |
| British Columbia | BCLC (PlayNow) monopoly | No | Supply to BCLC only |
| Manitoba and Saskatchewan | Provincial platforms | No | Supply to the provincial corporations only |
| Atlantic provinces | Atlantic Lottery Corporation platform | No | Supply to ALC only |
| Kahnawake (First Nations) | International online licensing since 1996 | Yes, for international players | KGC Client Provider Authorization |
| Tobique (First Nations) | International online licensing since 2024 | Yes, for international players | TGC remote gaming license |
Licenses from First Nations regulators are not a substitute for provincial registration in Ontario or Alberta.
Ask about your caseFrequently asked questions
Is there a federal Canadian gambling license?
No. The Criminal Code leaves gaming to the provinces, so the route depends on the province whose players you serve.
Which provinces allow private online operators?
Ontario and Alberta, through registration with the provincial regulator and an agreement with the provincial iGaming corporation.
Can a Kahnawake or Tobique license serve Ontario players?
No. Ontario and Alberta players can be served only by operators registered in those provinces.
Do suppliers need to register?
Yes, in each open province. Ontario and Alberta both register gaming-related suppliers before they work with local operators.
Will Quebec open?
Both main parties supported regulating private operators before the October 2026 election, but no bill has been introduced yet.
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