Millions of Canadians are gambling online. If you are one of them and live in Halifax or almost any other city outside of Ontario, you are probably playing on an offshore site. Offshore online gambling is nothing new in Canada, and even though it is illegal, that does not mean it is always safe. This article will tell you what offshore sites are, how to start your journey, and what risks you may face.
Offshore vs. licensed casinos explained
Offshore gambling sites such as Only Spins casino are located outside of Canada, most often in locations like Curacao, Malta, or the Isle of Man. They are accessible to local users, but are not subject to Canadian law.
On the other hand, licensed gambling sites in Canada are regulated by provincial authorities, including PlayOLG in Ontario and PlayNow in British Columbia. These sites adhere to strict Canadian regulations.
The table below summarizes the key differences between offshore and licensed sites.
| Criteria | Licensed Casino | Offshore casino |
| Regulation | Such sites follow Canadian laws. | Platforms are subject to the rules of their countries |
| Tax implications | Winnings are taxed according to Canadian requirements. | Tax payments depend on the jurisdiction in which the casino operates. |
| Player protection | Licensed platforms offer better security guarantees. | When interacting with such platforms, your risk increases. |
| Game selection | Such platforms offer a smaller selection of games and available betting types. | Offer a larger range of games and available betting categories. |
Canadian users should analyze the pros and cons of each option and choose the best solution.
Laws and regulations that govern offshore betting in Canada
Canadian gambling laws have created an unusual situation where offshore betting operates in a gray area. The country’s criminal code prohibits doing business in the country without a local license, but does not provide for liability for placing bets on such sites. This means that Canadian players can legally access international gambling platforms. The federal government focuses on preventing money laundering and protecting consumers rather than prosecuting individual users.
Let’s look at the key legal aspects of gambling in Canada.
- There is no federal law that prohibits betting with licensed offshore operators.
- Provincial standards vary significantly from territory to territory.
- Tax liabilities apply to gambling winnings regardless of where the platform is registered.
- Consumer protection rules do not apply to unlicensed sites.
- Banking controls may impact the ability to process transactions on offshore platforms.
The regulatory landscape continues to change as more provinces consider approaches to the regulated market. This shift may impact how Canadian customers can interact with offshore casinos in the future.
How can Canadian users access offshore casinos?
Accessing offshore casinos is easy, as most of them are designed for users from all over the world. Advanced platforms like Onlyspins are optimized for Canadian users and accept local currency. Let’s look at the main steps to access.
- Research and choose a platform. We recommend choosing licensed offshore casinos. Check for a license from authorities such as the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), Curaçao eGaming, or the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.
- Open the official website or app of the casino. You will need to provide basic information, including email, proof of age (upload ID), and address. Some sites limit Ontario players to AGCO-licensed versions, but give others full access.
- Fund your account. You can use payment systems that are convenient for Canadians.
- E-wallets. The Interac system for instant deposits is very popular in the country, while the volume of transactions through PayPal, Skrill and Neteller is increasing. Credit or debit cards. Visa, Mastercard, or American Express are suitable for fast transactions.
- Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Litecoin provide anonymity and minimal commission.
- Bank transfers. This option is suitable for large amounts, but the transaction execution period increases to 24-72 hours.
- The minimum deposit amount for different casinos ranges from CAD 10 to CAD 20. The commission does not exceed 2-3%.
- After replenishing the account, users gain access to slots, table games, and a live dealer casino with real-money bets. Mobile applications or browser entertainment work without problems on Android and iOS operating systems.
- Withdrawing winnings. Request a withdrawal using the same method you used to deposit funds. The request may take 24-48 hours to process. Withdrawal limits often vary (5,000-10,000 CAD daily). Verification is required before submitting your first withdrawal request.
- Using a VPN. This is generally not required, but it may be useful in provinces such as Quebec when geo-blocking occurs. Some players use a VPN to ensure maximum privacy, especially when playing with cryptocurrency.
- Age and location controls. Platforms identify geolocation by IP address to ensure compliance with regulations. Providing false information may result in a profile ban.
Provincially regulated sites (such as PlayNow) may block offshore access. However, players can bypass such restrictions by using offshore platforms directly.
The main risks of offshore platforms and methods to reduce them
As we can see, offshore business does not violate the law, but it is associated with some risks.
- Lack of regulation. The lack of Canadian supervision means the possibility of unfair play or delays in payments. To reduce the risk, use platforms with an MGA or Curaçao license. They must pass the eCOGRA check for fairness.
- Security issues. Interaction with dubious sites can lead to information leakage or fraud. Use sites with the HTTPS protocol, enable two-factor authentication (2FA), and avoid unverified platforms.
- Addiction and responsible gaming. Simplified access can lead to significant loss of capital. We recommend using deposit and betting limits, as well as exploring all self-exclusion options.
Unregulated offshore online gambling in Canada has become commonplace. This will likely continue until other provinces follow Ontario’s example in regulating online gaming. As for the safety of real money gambling, it all depends on your own diligence. Research the operator and regulator before you start playing. You must protect yourself, as Canadian laws are far from perfect.