Our Guide to Online Gambling in Canada
Every discussion about Canada sweepstakes casinos seems to be revolving around the same questions. Are sweepstakes casinos legal? Can I play casino games in sweepstakes casinos? And if I win, will I be able to cashout? These are all valid questions that we will answer in detail below.
Is it legal to gamble online in Canada?
The regulation of gambling in Canada, including online casinos, is under the jurisdiction of individual provinces and territories. Several provinces, such as British Columbia, Quebec, and Ontario, have their own online gambling platforms. Ontario has gone one step further, by introducing its unique framework that enables online casinos to register and operate legally. Online gambling in Canada is a grey area when it comes to legistlation. The site must be a licensed, offshore company but it’s otherwise legal for Canadians to play at online casinos and sweepstakes sites.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos legal in Canada?
Sweepstakes casinos are legal in most provinces in Canada, except Quebec and Ontario. You are allowed to register and play in a Canadian sweepstakes casino, as long as you are at least 19 of age, and are visiting from a province or territory where sweepstakes casinos are legal. See, every province in Canada has its own regulatory framework, and most provinces do not consider sweepstakes casinos as gambling (except QC and ON) although you can win prizes and cash out. This is excellent news, especially for Canadian players that want to play in accordance with the rules.
Sweepstakes Casinos vs. Online Casinos
We genuinely believe that sweepstakes casinos have a future in the online gaming business in Canada, and for good reasons. Firstly, CA sweeps casinos offer a variety of bonuses and promotions, which are typically deposit-free, and come with fair bonus terms. Secondly, their adherence to Canadian laws distinguishes them from real money casinos, which often operate in a legal grey area, potentially leading to issues with operators.
| 🌐Sweepstakes Casinos | 🎰Real Money Casinos |
| Legal in Canada | ✅(except 2 provinces) | ❌(only in Ontario) |
| Sign Up Bonus | Does not require a deposit, its free | Typically requires a deposit |
| Daily Bonuses | ✅ | ❌ |
| First Purchase Bonus | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ongoing Promotions | A variety of promotions is available, typically don’t require a deposit. | Promotions are limited, and require a deposit to claim. |
| Bonus Terms | Always Fair | Not always fair |
| Payment Methods | Credit & debit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, gift cards, and cryptocurrencies | Credit & debit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers |
| Customer Support | Typically available 24/7, via email and live chat. | Typically available 24/7, via email and live chat. |
| Active in Social Media | ✅ | ❌ |
Sweepstakes casinos and real money casinos share similarities as both allow you to cash out winnings. Additionally, they provide 24/7 live chat customer support, support common payment methods, and offer various promotions, including welcome bonuses and ongoing deals.
Purchases & Cash Redemption
Almost all sweepstakes casinos in Canada follow a similar process when it comes to purchases and redemptions. Instead of a direct deposit, you can purchase gold coins, and play your favorite games. You will also receive a complimentary set on SCs, which you can redeem for real money prizes.
Coin Purchases
In a sweepstakes casino, direct deposits are not allowed. Instead, you buy packages of gold coins for gameplay, and each package includes complimentary Sweeps Coins (SC). While gold coins are for playing games for fun, Sweeps Coins can be used for both playing and cashing out. For example, a $100 purchase might give you 9,999,999 gold coins and 100 SC.
Cash Redemptions
Sweepstakes casinos in Canada allow you to cash out winnings through a process known as cash redemption. All you have to do is accumulate a certain amount of sweepstakes coins (SCs), select a payment method, and click Redeem. The redemption processing time may vary from one payment method to another, with most sweepstakes casinos typically completing redemptions within 1-5 days.
Keep in mind that to comply with AML (Anti-Money Laundering) regulations in Canada, you will be able to redeem your cash prices using the same payment method you used to make a coin purchase. For example, if you made a coin purchase via Mastercard, you will be able to redeem winnings to the bank account associated with your Mastercard. Sweeps coins usually come with a symbolic 1x wagering requirement, and have a minimum redemption limit, typically set at 50 to 100 SCs.
Payment Methods
Canadian sweepstakes casinos offer a variety of payment methods, including credit and debit cards, e-wallets, cryptocurrencies, and online bank transfers. Local payment methods are also available.
- You can make Gold Coin Purchases via the following payments: Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Interac, iDebit and Cryptocurrencies.
- When it comes to redemptions, you can claim your winnings via: PayPal, Interac, iDebit, Online Bank Transfer, and Cryptocurrencies.
Transfers are secure, with little to no fees attached. Purchases are instant, while redemptions tend to take a little longer, usually between 24 to 72 hours. The specifics can vary from one platform to the next, but the above usually apply.
Summary
When it comes to choices, Canadian players are some of the most privileged gamblers in the world. You can access a virtually endless list of online casinos, and new sites are going live every day. Some of them are good, while some fail short in meeting expectations. Some of them are illegal, while others operate in a legal grey area. Each province has a handful of land-based casinos as well.
With so many options available, you should never settle for less, all the contrary, opt for the best. This is why we fully recommend sweepstakes casinos to Canadians. They operate in accordance with Canada’s jurisdictions, and are relatively more safe to play. Think of them as an escape from the traditional casino platforms, but with all the potential to win big rewards.