The position of gambling was not advantageous when Canada became part of the Commonwealth of Nations. In 1982, the Criminal Code completely banned all forms of gambling with the exception of horse racing betting. Over time, additional exceptions were introduced. And gradually, individual provinces were allowed to organise their own state lotteries.

The legislation was amended in 1985. One of the most important changes was that establishments licensed by the province were allowed to offer computerised slots and other gambling games. This provincial approach to gambling regulation created certain inconsistencies in Canadian gambling legislation, whereby the legal status of betting on certain games and activities can vary from province to province. For example, the provinces of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador are still opposed to the revival of the casino industry.

The legality of casino canada online is an even more confusing issue. The current Criminal Code still prohibits online operators from accepting bets or setting up platforms to host them unless they hold a government licence. However, there is no law that prohibits users from placing bets. This means that millions of Canadian citizens can gamble at international online casinos or betting sites with little risk of being prosecuted.