Newfoundland and Labrador Online Casinos in 2024

With no land-based casinos and only VLTs to fill the void, it’s no wonder Newfoundland and Labrador loves online casinos! Led by the ALC with a superb online casino, robust regulations, and responsible gambling tools, Newfoundland and Labrador is a trustworthy, welcoming province to gamble in!

Newfoundland and Labrador is the only province in all of Canada where casinos are banned, with the exception of the official Atlantic Lottery Corporation’s online casino. You won’t find any land-based casinos or even horse racing tracks here.

But don’t despair, because Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have a few other options! Online casinos can still operate in the province, and traditional lotteries have had a strong presence since their introduction in 1969. Also, since 1991, Video Lottery Terminals give gamblers easy access to slot games. And in 2021, online sportsbooks were legalized as another way to play!

Newfoundland and Labrador Gambling at a Glance

Legal StatusLegal and regulated
Gambling HubsSt. John’s
Regulatory BodyAtlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC)
Legal Gambling Age19+
Land-Based Casinos0
Online Casinos1

How We Rank the Best Newfoundland and Labrador Online Casinos

One of the best things about online casinos is the variety. And while it’s easy to shop around for your favourite games, there are a lot of other factors that go into making an online casino something special. Our team hunts down these standout casinos so gamblers in Newfoundland and Labrador can see what great options are on the market!

During the review process, our experts act as players, running through the process of signing up, playing games, navigating deposits and withdrawals, and chatting with customer service. The casinos we fall in love with have to meet a few criteria, which you should also look for among Newfoundland and Labrador online casinos:

  • Does the games library deliver on both quality and quantity?

More selection is always better, so casinos with a variety of games are worth trying out. Online casinos with a live casino are especially noteworthy, since these popular games add extra excitement via live croupiers!

  • Are the bonuses and promos tempting offers with minimal requirements?

Players should feel rewarded for playing at a casino, and high-value bonuses that net players free games are a great way to attract players. Look for casinos where their bonuses have no wagering requirements, which essentially guarantees players make a profit off the bonuses.

The biggest bonus of all should be the welcome bonus, as it provides a useful boost of bonus credit when you start off at a casino. This is also a good benchmark for how generous a casino will be with its promos.

  • Is banking fast and secure, with a good selection of payment methods?

Canada’s best banking option to look for is Interac, which is so accessible and fast that it blows other payment methods out of the water. That said, it’s also good if a casino allows credit cards, e-wallets, or cryptocurrency for deposits and withdrawals.

And speaking of cashing out, a major feature is instant withdrawal because it means you get access to your winnings that much faster. You’ll also want to find a casino that charges no fees on transactions.

  • What’s the overall customer experience, with a focus on ease-of-use and aesthetic appeal?

Especially in Newfoundland and Labrador, a province split between two time zones, 24/7 customer support is vital. Your experience is much improved by quickly resolving issues, but if a casino’s help line closes before you even start gambling after work, you’ll have to wait in an email queue to speak to a rep.

Mobile casino apps are a good indicator of a quality casino, as typically only industry-leaders can afford to build an app from scratch. However, the lack of casino apps in Newfoundland and Labrador despite having a number of great online casinos proves the exception to this rule.

Sites to Avoid

Some online casinos try to lure in eager victims in the hopes of scamming players and taking their money. The most common methods are by setting unfair odds to tank the casino’s RTP, or by bloating withdrawal times so players can never cash out. Be sure to research any casino you play at ahead of time to see if reviews or comments from other players mention dishonourable practices.

The easiest way to spot a sketchy casino is if it’s unlicensed. Real money casinos with licenses have proven their legitimacy and security, and won’t sell your personal data. A good tip is to watch for casinos licensed by some of Canada’s authoritative regulatory bodies, like the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) or the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.

Playing at a licensed casino is also important because it proves the casino is regulated and audited. An unlicensed casino may be carrying out money laundering or good old fashioned tax evasion. Casinos that are willing to commit these crimes are likely to be committing others as well, such as cheating players, and should be avoided. 

Newfoundland and Labrador Casino Bonuses

With access to a number of online casinos, gamblers in Newfoundland and Labrador can sort through the options to find the best bonuses on-offer for their playstyle. Whether you prefer blasting through slot spins or would rather have a few high-wager games, there’s a casino bonus for you!

  • Free Spins – With the popularity of slots, getting free slot games is a common bonus. Casinos often grant free spins in their welcome bonus or as prize drops. Sometimes you can only redeem your spins on a limited selection of games, so always read the fine print!
  • Deposit Matching – As you make a deposit at real money casinos, you may claim deposit matching to receive a percentage of your deposit in bonus credit. These promos are great to double or triple your deposit and get more games-per-dollar.
  • Reload Bonus – Similar to deposit matching, reload bonuses give you a fraction of your deposit in credit, usually around 50%. These bonuses are meant to help you top up your account, and typically are redeemable only on the weekend or on a specific day.
  • Cashback – While gambling, a casino may award you cashback equal to a chunk of your wagers. This way you can recoup your losses and keep playing, often on a weekly basis!
  • VIP Programs – Premier casinos want to give back to loyal players, and their VIP programs offer great rewards without any extra effort. Just by playing casino games, you can earn free spins, deposit matching promos, or exclusive bonuses. And high-roller VIPs get perks like personalized service, cashback, and access to luxury events or tournaments!

Mobile Casino Apps in Newfoundland and Labrador

Mobile play is surprisingly accessible in Newfoundland and Labrador, which is a godsend since the lack of casinos means most people will be gambling from home anyways!

The top pick for gamblers in the province is the ALC mobile app. It has a huge library of games, and since it’s government-run, you can trust the app keeps your personal info private. As well, the ALC app has a mobile-optimized layout and games collection, so you’re guaranteed an excellent experience when playing on your Apple or Android mobile device. 

Others options include casino apps from the biggest online casinos operating in Newfoundland and Labrador, like PlayOJO. Canada is also quite hands-off with sportsbooks apps, so you’ll find endless selection if you want to bet on sports from your phone.

Gambling Taxes in Newfoundland and Labrador

In Newfoundland and Labrador, as in the rest of Canada, gambling winnings aren’t considered taxable income. Anything you win from a lottery or an online casino is yours to keep, in full!

There are a few niche situations where incidental taxes may be owed. Any interest you accrue on gambling winnings must be reported, and invested winnings qualify as investment income. Both of these are subject to taxation.

That means the average gambler in Newfoundland and Labrador will never pay tax on their winnings! Only if you’re a professional gambler where your winnings are also your primary income will you have to pay income tax when cashing out.

Responsible Gambling

Gambling addiction is a well-known issue in Newfoundland and Labrador. Walk into any gas station and you’ll probably see a pile of used lotto tickets in the trash. As such, several responsible gambling resources have been set up to help players in the province.

The go-to responsible gambling tools in the province come through the ALC and their program PlayWise. On the program’s site, concerned players or their loved ones can find resources to identify addictive playstyles, data to help dispel gambling myths, and a helpline to seek professional help.

Additionally, PlayWise allows players to sign-up for the ALCs self-exclusion program, preventing them from gambling for a period of at least 6 months and up to 3 years.

Newfoundland and Labrador also features the Bridge the Gapp program, a personal-wellness and mental health crisis support centre. Gambling addiction is a major focus of the program, which can help players identify unhealthy gambling habits and get in touch with healthcare consultation to treat their addiction.

Land-Based Casinos in Newfoundland and Labrador

Land-based casinos aren’t legal in Newfoundland and Labrador, so local gamblers have to find their fun in other places. Fortunately, VLTs are common, particularly in St. John’s which has a high concentration of gamblers and VLTs.

Around St. John’s you’ll find every bar in the city hosts one or more VLTs, since they help prop up the venue’s profit margins. As well, pull-tab tickets are widely popular and readily available at convenience stores. And any large town will have the same kind of amenities for gamblers to try their luck at!

The other major ways to play in-person are card game tournaments and charity lotteries, both of which occur regularly across Newfoundland and Labrador. Check local postings to find a game of Chase the Ace or a Texas Hold ‘Em tournament near you!

FAQs

While they’re not permanently banned, the provincial government has the final say on whether a casino can open or not, and are committed to not opening even a single land-based casino. As a result, there are no casinos in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) regulates gambling in Newfoundland and Labrador as well as the other Atlantic provinces. They run traditional lotteries as well as host ALC.com, the province’s primary online casino.

Only the online casino at ALC.com is legally allowed to be based in the province, and as such is the primary online casino available. Other casinos based internationally but operating in the province are also viable options.

Due to the provincial government’s stance, no land-based casinos have been approved and none are present in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Yes, like the rest of Canada, single-event sport betting was legalized in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2021. You can find plenty of online sportsbooks operating in the province, ready to take bets on your favourite events!

No, you won’t have to pay taxes on your winnings in Newfoundland and Labrador unless you’re a professional gambler whose primary income is gambling. You still have to pay taxes on interest from your winnings, or if you invest your winnings, as that would qualify as investment income.

The Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) and Bridge the Gapp both run gambling support programs that provide information and professional consultation for troubled players. As well, the ALCs self-exclusion program can be used to take a break for 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, or 3 years.

Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) are widely available in bars and restaurants across the province, and traditional lotteries including pull-tab tickets are easily accessible. Charity lotteries and card game tournaments also appear from time-to-time.

With a finger on the pulse of the iGaming industry and a knack for game analysis, Liam is an expert casino reviewer. Based in Toronto, he has watched Canada step up and join the online gambling industry with gusto. He is excited to be writing for an authoritative industry voice like Casino.com and to help players enjoy the thrill of iGaming! Liam has worked for a half-decade as a content writer across review sites, newspapers, and hobby blogs, collaborating with major brands like Nintendo, Woojer, and Artemis. In his spare time, Liam enjoys a rousing hand of poker with friends or spending his time finding new and strange ways to caffeinate himself."