Review of the Gambling Laws in Manitoba
Hello and welcome to this article dedicated to gambling laws in Manitoba! As you might know, Canadian gambling law differs in every province, which is why we prepared this review of Manitoba gambling laws, so you don’t wonder what you can or cannot do in the province.
What are Manitoba Gambling Laws Like
Manitoba is not the biggest of provinces and as such it does not have the gambling industries that some of its neighbouring provinces do, but nonetheless, there are many legal forms of gambling there and some interesting traits that make it unique.
Today we are going to be focusing on gambling laws in Manitoba and we will specifically mention how they differ from other provinces. We will briefly discuss Canadian gambling law as well, so you can find out more about how gambling is conducted in Canada.
History of Canadian Gambling Law
Gambling has always been popular in Canada, before Canada even existed as a country. First Nations people have played and wagered on games involving dice and sticks, one of which is Slahal. They also had various forms of races. As such, gambling games have always been part of Indigenous culture in Canada.
When the Europeans came to Canada, they brought with them card games like poker, along with games at the best Canadian roulette sites. For some time, everyone gambled in peace, because there simply wasn’t a Canadian gambling law banning it. This, however, changed.
In 1892, Canada amended the Criminal Code and with this, it effectively banned all forms of gambling. This didn’t stop people from gambling though. Canadian gambling law changed once again in early 20th century when it made an exception to the ban for pari-mutuel betting (betting on races), bingo and raffles.
Later, Canada decided to look into gambling in the country and decide how to legislate it based on the research. The commission tasked with this task found out that bans don’t work and that people would always gamble even if it’s illegal.
In the next few decades, Canada made big progress towards gambling legalisation. First, Canadian gambling law officially included the lottery as part of its legal gambling activities in 1969. Then in 1970, it amended its Criminal Code and allowed provinces to regulate their own gambling industries, essentially allowing them to legalise various gambling forms.
Later, in 1985, Canada also legalised sports betting, but as long as there were multiple bets made (aka parlay bets). It wasn’t until 2021 that Canada legalised single bets as well.
A Review of Gambling Laws in Manitoba
Gambling laws in Manitoba are geared towards protecting the players and offering a safe and fun playing environment. In order to be able to indulge in this experience, according to the gambling law in Manitoba, you have to be at least 18 years old and this gambling age in Manitoba applies to all sorts of gambling activities.
There are a couple of Manitoba gambling laws that regulate the industry. Some of the most recent ones include The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act of 2018 that updated many previous gambling laws in Manitoba (e.g., Manitoba gambling regulations changes concerning horse racing) and also offered regulations for its new cannabis industry.
Let’s now discuss the legal forms of gambling in Manitoba that are allowed by the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba. First, you can buy a lottery ticket, whether in person or online. You can also engage in charitable gaming, which is usually bingo or raffles. Since Canada legalised sports betting all around the country, you can also bet on sports at land-based venues, as well as online, now you can also make single bets.
What about casinos? Despite the relatively small population of Manitoba, there are many casinos that cater to all your needs. Just like other provinces, there are state-owned casinos like Club Regent Casino in Winnipeg.
However, there are also tribal casinos, like in the US, which are owned and regulated by the First Nations such as Swan Hills Casino in Carberry (owned by the Swan Lake First Nation). Overall, there are eight casinos in Manitoba (both state-owned and tribe-owned) that offer a wide variety of games.
Online Gambling in Manitoba
Online gambling in Manitoba resembles that of other Canadian provinces. It is legal, but there are no commercial operators. Instead, online gambling, including sports betting and casino games, is provided by a state-owned company, which is PlayNow. The website is run by the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation and by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. Deposits with MasterCard are available and this is one of the safe and authorized payment method on this website.
There is one more online website that offers lottery tickets, scratch cards, and sports betting – Western Canada Lottery Corp. or WCLC, which is operated by Manitoba, along with Alberta, Saskatchewan, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Manitoba gambling laws might change yet again soon and allow for commercial online casinos, if they follow Ontario’s lead, but the province hasn’t shown any signs of planning such things. Thus, people will have the chance to enjoy the best casino sites in Canada. Still, keep an eye on this page for any updates.
Manitoba Gambling Regulators
By contrast to other provinces, Manitoba has more than one regulator of gambling. First, there is the Liquor, Gaming & Cannabis Authority of Manitoba (LGCA) which is responsible for licensing gambling operators and regulating casino gaming and horse racing (along with regulating the alcohol and cannabis industries).
There is also the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation (MLLC) that regulates lotteries in Manitoba, as well as online gambling (casino style and sports betting). Both agencies regulate and also provide gambling services, much like other Canadian provinces. For example, MLLC is the owner of the two state-owned casinos.
In addition to these state agencies, First Nations tribes regulate their own industry of tribal casinos, resembling Native American gaming in the US. The LGCA assists the tribes by offering financial and management advice.
Common Questions and Answers
Thank you for reading our review of gambling laws in Manitoba! We hope you found this article interesting and helpful. Below we’ve gathered the most common questions and answers regarding the topic. If you have any others, don’t hesitate to contact us.
1️⃣ What are the gambling laws in Manitoba?
Let's begin by saying that gambling in Manitoba is legal. This applies to both sports betting and casino-style gaming as well as online gambling. However, there is only one operator in Manitoba, which is owned by the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation, called PlayNow.
2️⃣ Why are gambling laws different in different Canadian provinces?
The reason why gambling laws differ in the Canadian provinces is related to the CA gambling history and particularly the Criminal Code from 1970. It basically allowed each province to self-regulate its own gambling industry, which kind of resembles the situation in the US.
3️⃣ Are casinos allowed according to the gambling law in Manitoba?
Yes, there are in fact many casinos in the province that are allowed by the Manitoba gambling laws. There are both state-owned casinos, owned by the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation, as well as tribal casinos owned by First Nations people. They offer a wide variety of games.
4️⃣ What's the legal age according to the Manitoba gambling regulations?
The legal gambling age in Manitoba is 18 years. As long as you are at least 18 years old, you are allowed to partake even in online gambling in Manitoba. The gambling age differs in Canadian provinces, so check out our other reviews to find out what the legal gambling age is in another province.
5️⃣ How are Manitoba gambling regulations organised?
There are a few major regulators that make sure that Manitoba gambling regulations are being abided to. There is the Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba which is the main regulator. First Nations tribes also regulate their own tribal casino industry.