CA · Provincial frameworks, no single national register
Canada
Canada does not have one national register covering every commercial offer. Provinces and territories conduct and regulate gambling under their own models. Ontario operates a competitive internet market regulated by AGCO and conducted within the iGaming Ontario framework.
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What the framework covers
What the framework covers
Elsewhere, supply may be operated directly by a provincial lottery corporation or follow a different structure. A domain’s status in Ontario therefore says nothing conclusive about British Columbia, Quebec or another province.
How to check an offer
How to check an offer
First identify the player’s province. Then consult the relevant regulator or public lottery corporation and search its directory. In Ontario, match the domain and operator to iGaming Ontario’s list and AGCO information.
What not to infer
What not to infer
Phrases such as ‘Canada-friendly’ or ‘accepts Canadians’ are marketing claims, not proof of local authority. An offshore licence is not equivalent to provincial registration and may leave far fewer remedies.
WORLD GAMBLING GUIDE
Verification in five checks
- 01Identify the player’s physical location and applicable law.
- 02Open the authority’s official website, never a copied register.
- 03Match the legal entity and exact domain character by character.
- 04Compare the offered product with the genuinely permitted activities.
- 05Check status and date, then retain the source consulted.
Official sources to consult
Help and exclusion: local resources
Scope varies by territory and product. A support resource is not registration in an exclusion scheme. Read the conditions on the linked website.
iGaming Ontario — BetGuard
BetGuard covers Ontario’s regulated online market, including OLG, from May 2026. It is not a Canada-wide or land-casino exclusion.
Source accessed : · Document version : 2026-05-14
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Who regulates gambling in Canada?
Régulateurs provinciaux — exemple Ontario : AGCO et iGaming Ontario is the reference authority identified in this guide. Competence may still vary by product or territory, so the official sources below remain decisive.
How can I check whether a site is authorised in Canada?
First identify the player’s province. Then consult the relevant regulator or public lottery corporation and search its directory. In Ontario, match the domain and operator to iGaming Ontario’s list and AGCO information.
Is a foreign licence enough in Canada?
Phrases such as ‘Canada-friendly’ or ‘accepts Canadians’ are marketing claims, not proof of local authority. An offshore licence is not equivalent to provincial registration and may leave far fewer remedies.