Online casinos are legal in Manitoba under the province’s government‐regulated system under the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba (LGCA). Operated by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries (MBLL) in partnership with the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), PlayNow MB is the only fully licensed and legal online casino in the province. Residents can play slots, table games, lotteries, poker, and make sports bets if they are 18+.
However, offshore online casinos with international licenses are also accessible for Manitobans, operating in a legally gray area but not regulated within the province.
Gambling Status | Legal |
Regulator | Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba (LGCA) |
Legal Gambling Age | 18 |
Legal Casino Gaming? | Yes |
Legal Sports Betting? | Yes |
Land-Based Gambling Locations | 8 |
Federal Gambling Laws in Canada
All gambling in Canada is covered by the Criminal Code of Canada, a federal law which governs all sports betting, casinos, and gaming. The Code makes it clear that gambling itself is legal, but it also states that the federal government does not directly run casinos, betting sites, or lotteries. The Criminal Code allows authorities in each province and territory to set their own gambling regulations and legalities.
In other words, the framework for legal gambling is built in at a federal level, but the right to take advantage of the framework depends on provinces. It is the choice of each provincial government to allow different forms of gambling and handle day-to-day operations. Governments have the ability to choose how gambling is delivered to residents, if at all.
What this means for players is that gambling is legal across Canada, but it is managed on a provincial level. Having access to casino sites that are regulated depends on the provinces, but players can also play on offshore platforms that are not licensed within Canada.
Gambling Regulation in Manitoba
Gambling in Manitoba falls under the Criminal Code of Canada and is regulated in the province by the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba (LGCA). This is the authority that oversees licensing, compliance, and consumer protection. Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corporation (MBLL) then manages operations, such as casinos, lotteries, and the PlayNow Casino in Manitoba.
PlayNow.com is a government-run operation and the only legally operational online casino and sports betting platform in the province. When accessing PlayNow Manitoba, residents can play online slots, live dealer tables, poker, and place bets on sports from the comfort of their couches.
At the same time, offshore online casinos that are licensed in other jurisdictions like Malta or Curaçao are also accessible to Manitobans. While playing on these sites is not illegal, they are not regulated by Manitoba authorities, putting them in a gray area. Many of these sites cater directly to Canadian players, giving oversight from their regulators. However, they lack provincial protections that players in Manitoba get from PlayNow.
What you need to know: As a player, there are no laws preventing you from visiting online casinos that operate internationally.
The Future of Online Gambling in Manitoba
Gambling in Manitoba is an ongoing hot topic. There are opinions on both sides of sticking to the current system or opening a license for offshore casinos to operate legally within the province. Some argue that the current framework of using an in-province PlayNow platform provides gambling resources for consumers. On the other hand, people suggest that if players can access offshore casinos, Manitoba may as well tap into the economic benefits by providing licenses to those casinos, similar to how Ontario opened its doors to private casino/sports betting brands in 2022.
In late 2023, the province lifted the hold on new gambling developments, allowing partnerships with Indigenous communities. This shift suggests that provincial leaders are considering how to grow gambling revenues while still not committing to any licensing of international Manitoba online casinos.
In fact, authorities in Manitoba are working to lay down stricter frameworks for offshore casinos that are available in the province. The MBLL has been intensifying legal action to block unlicensed casino and sports betting operators in an effort to maintain its regulated PlayNow MB site. Even so, Manitoba remains one of Canada’s provinces where the possibility of evolving to a multi-casino licensing model is hotly debated.