Federal law

The definition of what is considered a legal casino can be found in federal law. The Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA) and its associated Regulations defines a casino as a government, organization, board or operator in Canada that is authorized to do business in Canada and that conducts and manages:

• a lottery scheme, located at a fixed place of business that includes games of roulette or card games; or
• games operated on or through a slot machine or similar electronic gaming device, located at a fixed place of business, where there are more than 50 machines or similar devices in the establishment, for example a place of business such as a restaurant that has these electronic gaming machines; or
• a lottery scheme accessible to the public through the Internet or other digital network (does not include online bingo).

Casinos must adhere to the rules and regulations of PCMLTFA to operate within the law.

Provincial regulations

Casinos must also adhere to strict licensing and regulation under the authority of provincial and territorial governments. Provincial governments decide who can legally conduct and manage gaming activities (lottery scheme) at a casino. Provincial regulatory bodies may include:

• a provincial lottery corporation and
• a separate regulatory branch, such as a gaming commission

For more information on gambling regulatory bodies, refer to 5602 Who licenses and regulates gaming?

								
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