Licence Information

Why this page exists

A valid gaming licence tells you that an operator has met regulatory standards before it could accept real money. This page explains what a licence means, how to verify one yourself, and what protections it offers to players in Canada.

What a gaming licence is

A gaming licence is a government permission to offer casino games, sports betting, or other wagering. The operator must prove it has proper safeguards for player funds, fair game outcomes, and ways to help people with problem gambling. A licence doesn’t mean a site is perfect—it means a regulatory body reviewed the operator and decided it could open. Different countries issue their own licences and set their own rules.

How to check a licence yourself

The operator publishes its licence details on its own site: the regulator’s name, the licence number, and often the date it was issued. From there, you can look up the operator in the regulator’s registry to confirm the licence is real and active. Most regulators maintain public databases or lists of licensed operators. This takes five minutes and removes guesswork.

Regulations across Canada

Canada has no single national gaming regulator. Instead, each province oversees online gambling within its borders. Ontario and Alberta operate open, competitive markets; other provinces run government monopolies or crown-backed systems. If an operator holds a licence in one province, it doesn’t automatically apply in another—each province issues separate approvals. When you see a licence, check which province or country issued it.

Support if gambling causes harm

If gambling feels out of control, Canada offers free, confidential help. Most provinces run 24-hour helplines; Ontario’s service speaks 170 languages. Organisations like the Responsible Gambling Council and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health provide counselling, self-exclusion tools, and referrals to treatment providers. These services exist whether or not you gamble at a licensed site.