The Legal Gambling Age in Canada
There isn’t one gambling age for the whole of Canada. Each province sets its own. In practice, it is either 18 or 19.
The age is 18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec. Everywhere else, it is 19. That includes Ontario, British Columbia, the Atlantic provinces and the territories.
This guide gives the age for every province and territory. It also explains how age checks work at online casinos.
18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec. 19 in every other province and territory.
Gambling Age by Province
The table below shows the minimum age to gamble in each province. Each name links to our full guide for that province.
| Province | Minimum age | Online options |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 19 | Licensed private casinos and OLG.ca |
| Alberta | 18 | Licensed private casinos and PlayAlberta |
| British Columbia | 19 | PlayNow.com |
| Quebec | 18 | Loto-Québec |
| Manitoba | 18 | PlayNow.com |
| Saskatchewan | 19 | PlayNow Saskatchewan |
| Nova Scotia | 19 | ALC.ca |
| New Brunswick | 19 | ALC.ca |
| Prince Edward Island | 19 | ALC.ca |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 19 | ALC.ca |
The territories
Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut all set the age at 19. None of them runs its own online casino. As a result, players there mostly use offshore sites that accept Canadians.
Why the Age Differs
Canada leaves gambling to the provinces. The Criminal Code lets each province run and license gambling within its borders. As part of that, each one chooses its own minimum age.
Most provinces simply match their gambling age to their drinking age. That is why Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec use 18, while the rest use 19.
Our guide to whether online gambling is legal in Canada explains how this provincial system works.
Does the Age Apply Online?
Yes. The minimum age is the same for online and land-based gambling in each province. If you are 18 in Ontario, you can’t legally play at an Ontario online casino until you turn 19.
Offshore casinos usually set 18 as their own minimum. However, the law of the province where you live still applies to you. So it makes sense to follow your provincial age wherever you play.
Lotteries and sports betting
Lottery tickets and sports betting can be different. For example, Ontario lets you buy lottery tickets at 18, even though its casino age is 19.
Rules like these vary by province and can change. If you are unsure, check your provincial lottery’s own site.
Province by Province: What You Need to Know
Here is a closer look at each province, from west to east.
British Columbia
The age is 19. PlayNow.com, run by the BC Lottery Corporation, is the official site for casino games, lotteries and sports betting.
Alberta
The age is 18, the same as for drinking. Since July 2026, Albertans can choose from licensed private casinos as well as PlayAlberta.
Saskatchewan
The age is 19. PlayNow Saskatchewan is the official online site.
Manitoba
The age is 18. Manitobans use PlayNow.com, which Manitoba shares with British Columbia.
Ontario
The age is 19 for casinos, online and in person. Ontario has the biggest choice in Canada, with dozens of licensed private brands alongside OLG.ca.
Quebec
The age is 18. Loto-Québec runs the official online casino, lotteries and sports betting.
Atlantic Canada
Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador all use 19. They share one official site, ALC.ca, run by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation.
What Happens If You Play Underage?
Licensed casinos take underage play seriously. If a casino finds out a player is under the legal age, it will close the account.
In most cases, any winnings are cancelled. Deposits may be returned, but that is up to the casino. Lying about your age or using someone else’s ID can also break the casino’s terms and the law.
In short, it isn’t worth the risk. Wait until you reach your province’s age, then sign up with your real details.
Some casinos also run extra checks at random, or when a large withdrawal comes through. So even an account that has worked for months can be reviewed. Signing up honestly from day one avoids any problems later.
Gambling Age vs Drinking Age
If you know the drinking age in your province, you know the gambling age too. In every province, the two match.
| Province | Drinking age | Gambling age |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec | 18 | 18 |
| All other provinces | 19 | 19 |
| Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut | 19 | 19 |
This makes the rules easy to remember. It also means a casino will usually ask for the same ID that a bar or liquor store would accept.
How Online Casinos Check Your Age
Every licensed casino has to confirm you are old enough. The checks are usually quick.
- You enter your date of birth when you sign up.
- The casino runs an electronic check against official records.
- If that doesn’t work, you upload photo ID, such as a driver’s licence or passport.
- Before your first withdrawal, you may also need proof of address.
Licensed casinos in Ontario and Alberta must check your age before you can play. Offshore casinos usually check it before your first withdrawal. Either way, using false details can see your account closed and your winnings kept.
Is your information safe?
Licensed casinos use secure, encrypted uploads for ID documents. They are also bound by privacy rules on how they store your details.
To stay safe, only upload documents through the casino’s own website or app. Never send ID by email unless the casino’s support team asks you to through its official channels.
Why Age Checks Matter
Age checks protect young people, but they protect players too. A casino that checks ID properly is usually also careful about payments and fraud.
So a quick, professional verification process is a good sign. On the other hand, a casino that never asks for ID, even at withdrawal, is a warning sign. It may hold up your payout later or have weak security.
Licensed casinos in Ontario and Alberta must verify every player before they can play. As a result, you may need to upload ID before your first deposit there.
Tips for Parents
Many teenagers see gambling ads, especially around big sports events. If you share a device with children, a few steps help keep casino sites out of reach.
- Use the parental controls on phones, tablets and computers.
- Don’t save casino logins or payment details in shared browsers.
- Keep your own ID documents and bank cards secure.
- Talk openly about how gambling works and why age limits exist.
Land-Based Casinos
The same ages apply at casinos you visit in person. Staff check ID at the door or on the gaming floor. If you look young, bring photo ID, even if you have visited before.
Visitors from outside Canada follow the local age too. For example, a 19-year-old from the US can play in Ontario, even though many US casinos use 21.
Students, Visitors and New Arrivals
The age rules follow where you are, not where you come from. So international students and visitors use the local provincial age.
For example, a 19-year-old student from overseas can play at a casino in British Columbia. An 18-year-old visitor can play in Quebec, but not across the border in Ontario.
Visitors usually need a passport as ID at land-based casinos. Online casinos also need a Canadian address in many cases, so check the terms before you sign up.
Gambling Ages Elsewhere
If you travel, the age may be different. This table compares Canada with some common destinations.
| Place | Typical minimum age |
|---|---|
| Most of Canada | 19 |
| Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec | 18 |
| Most US casino states, including Nevada | 21 |
| United Kingdom | 18 |
| Most of Europe | 18 |
Finding a Casino That Accepts Your Province
Once you are old enough, the next step is finding a site you can use. Our Canadian online casinos guide splits casinos into Ontario approved, Alberta approved and casinos for the rest of Canada.
It is also worth sorting out payments before you sign up. Our guide to Canadian casino deposit options compares Interac, iDebit, cards and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the gambling age in Ontario?
It is 19 for online casinos and land-based casinos. Lottery tickets can be bought at 18.
Can you gamble at 18 in Canada?
Yes, in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec. Everywhere else, you must be 19.
What is the gambling age in British Columbia?
It is 19, including on PlayNow.com.
Is the online gambling age different from casinos?
No. Each province uses the same minimum age online and in person.
Do offshore casinos accept 18-year-olds?
Many set 18 as their minimum. However, your province’s age still applies to you, so follow that.
Can I gamble in Quebec at 18 if I live in Ontario?
Yes, at a land-based casino in Quebec. However, Ontario’s licensed online casinos still require you to be 19.
Is the gambling age the same as the drinking age?
Yes. In every province, the minimum gambling age matches the drinking age.
What ID do online casinos ask for?
Usually a driver’s licence or passport, and sometimes proof of address such as a utility bill.
