Gambling Regulatory Organ


All operators in the province have a gambling licence and work according to the Newfoundland and Labrador gambling laws. The local regulative authorities make sure that all legal games follow the fair play rules and deliver fun and excitement every time. Below, you will see the main sections of this blog post, and at the end, we answered some of the most interesting questions on the topic.

Gambling Laws in Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador is the most eastern province in Canada. Just like the rest of the provinces, it can choose the gambling policy and laws as long as they do not contradict the gambling laws in Canada. There are no special Newfoundland and Labrador gambling laws; instead of that, the province relies on the main Canadian Criminal Code legislation:

📅 Year ⚖️ Canadian Criminal Code Amendments
✔️ 1892 The Canadian Criminal Code is enacted and holds the first gambling regulations
✔️ 1910 Legalises pari-mutuel betting (on horse races) and various games of chance for charitable purposes
✔️ 1970 All Canadian provinces can individually create gambling laws and regulations
✔️ 1985 Allows multi-game sports betting
✔️ 2010 Adjustments regarding illegal gambling and gambling offences
✔️ 2020 Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act allows single bets
✔️ 2022 First online casinos are introduced in Canada (in Ontario)

As you can see, the Canadian laws on gambling are the only ones you need to know. The online gambling laws in Newfoundland and Labrador state that playing at the top online casinos in Canada for 2023 is completely legal for players in this province. Furthermore, the local authorities and provincial government have specific regulations, which we will mention further down in this article.

If you have had the chance to read the gambling laws in Canada, you have noticed the special attention paid to players’ age. In this province, gamblers must be 19 to play at a casino and 18 to play lottery, bingo, or wager on horse races, and other gambling games. According to the NL laws on gambling, the limitation also applies to all forms of Newfoundland online gambling.

Winners’ Tax

We have great news for all players in Newfoundland and Labrador – gambling and betting prizes are not taxable income. This means that whatever you win from the lottery, sports betting, horse wagering, or any other gambling or betting game is for you. Knowing this, our recommendation is only to spend your money wisely and have fun!

Gambling Crimes and Misbehaviour at Wagering Locations

The Newfoundland and Labrador gambling laws have definitions of legal gambling, and everything that does not match it is considered illegal. The Criminal Code and the supportive regulations deal with all cheating, fraud, theft, and illegal gambling matters. It is recommended to play by the rules and avoid any illegal gaming and gambling activities to avoid legal trouble, fines, or jail time.

Newfoundland and Labrador’s Digital Government & Service NL

The Consumer Affairs Division of Digital Government and Service NL is the gambling regulator in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The operators need a licence to offer gambling, betting, or games of chance. You can find the list of certifications and their requirements on the Digital Government and Service NL website.

Anyone who intends to offer casino gambling games needs a Monte Carlo licence from the Consumer Affairs Division of Digital Government and Service NL. This permission is granted under the conditions that besides poker, the operator will also offer roulette, blackjack, baccarat, craps, and other gambling games for the duration of the licence.

The operators who intend to offer horse races and wagering on horse competitions need a licence from the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA) and should comply with the Lottery Licensing Regulations.

The Atlantic Lottery Corporation looks after the requirements of the Newfoundland lottery license according to the Lottery Licensing Regulations under the Criminal Code. The Atlantic Lottery Corporation delivers all draw and instant win games in Newfoundland and Labrador province.

Land-Based and Online Casinos in NL, Canada

The Newfoundland and Labrador gambling laws are clear about the casino status and all other wagering locations in the province. In this section, you will read about the effects of the gambling laws Canada has over the brick-and-mortar wagering locations and how the operators apply the Canadian online gambling laws to deliver fun and games to every player.

Land-Based Gambling Locations in NL

Land-Based Gambling

The Newfoundland and Labrador laws on gambling allow the construction of land-based casinos, but to this day, there are no brick-and-mortar casinos. Suppose you are a fan of the First Nation casinos in Canada, visit them in another province or go for a non-tribal casino. To gamble in NL, you need to go to Casino St John’s, Newfoundland, CA or any of the following options:

  • 🎰 Casinos: there have been no permanent land-based casinos in Newfoundland since 1996. A temporary Monte Carlo licence is issued upon request and for charity functions
  • 🃏 VLTs (Video Lottery Terminals): Newfoundland and Labrador VLTs have been legal since 1991 and can be found at liquor-licensed establishments
  • ♠️ Poker: Bella Vista, Dooly’s, and St. John’s Racing & Entertainment Center hold regular cash poker games and tournaments
  • 🏇 Horse Races: St. John’s Racing & Entertainment Center is the only land-based gambling location in Newfoundland. Players can bet on simulcast horse races and play poker
  • 🏒 Sports Betting: at the betting locations, you can bet on sports competitions, fantasy sports, and more
  • 🎱 Lottery: Newfoundland lottery is the most popular gambling option and offers various draw and instant-type games
  • 🎱 Bingo: there are several bingo rooms in the province
  • 🎗️ Charity: all forms of casino nights, fundraising raffles, and ticket lotteries are legal but require a temporary licence

Almost all of these wagering spots operate under the Atlantic Lottery Corporation, so everything is legal and up to fair game standards. We are certain that when the first Newfoundland casino opens, it will be an instant hit, but until then, fans of casino entertainment should try the best online slots sites in Canada, or other licensed gambling sites we recommend.

Online Gambling Laws in Newfoundland and Labrador

Online Gambling

There are no online gambling laws in Newfoundland and Labrador, so the operators apply Canadian online gambling laws. In this province, online gambling is not regulated, but it’s not illegal, and players are not prosecuted. Players registered at the best Newfoundland and Labrador online casino sites can enjoy the following games:

  • 🎰 Casino Games
  • 🎲 Live Dealer Games
  • 🃏 Poker
  • 🏒 Sports Betting
  • 🏇 Horse Racing
  • 🎱 Online Lottery
  • 🎱 Online Bingo
  • 🤖 DFS (Daily Fantasy Sports)

We are certain that once the province creates Newfoundland and Labrador laws on gambling regulating online gambling, even more, Canadian safe and trusted online casinos will be available to the locals. Until then, the province’s residents can enjoy Atlantic Lottery Corporation’s online gambling services. Worthy alternatives for any Newfoundland and Labrador online casino are offshore gambling and poker sites.

Responsible Gambling & Gambling Addiction Help

Gambling Addiction Support

Even though gambling in Newfoundland is mostly lottery and instant win games, there are still cases of gambling addiction. That is why the Canadian government and the authorities in every province provide multiple options for dealing with this issue. Here are some of the Newfoundland and Labrador self-help options and regional health authorities:

  • 🚑 Gamblers Anonymous (self-help)
  • 🚑 Motivational Enhancement Therapy
  • 🚑 Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
  • 🚑 Eastern Health
  • 🚑 Central Health
  • 🚑 Western Health
  • 🚑 Labrador-Grenfell Health

Furthermore, all operators must assist layers in their battle against addiction. Excellent examples are the new online casino sites in Canada with responsible gambling policies and help information freely given to their players. We also recommend you take the gambling addiction self-assessment test and take action if needed. This is the way to keep having fun while gambling.

Newfoundland and Labrador Laws on Gambling FAQ

Being familiar with the Newfoundland and Labrador laws on gambling can only be beneficial because you will know how to recognise the legal gambling locations and top online wagering sites. Besides the useful information, we also answered a few popular questions. If you need to know more, follow the links in the answers.

*️⃣ What are the Newfoundland and Labrador gambling laws?

There are no specific Newfoundland and Labrador laws on gambling, but there are many provincial government regulations. It may seem strange that the local authorities apply the Canadian gambling laws, but there is no need for specific legislation because of the few legal gambling games offered by the local operators.

*️⃣ Who regulates gambling in Newfoundland and Labrador, CA?

The main gambling regulator in Newfoundland and Labrador province is the Consumer Affairs Division of Digital Government and Service NL, which issues temporary casino games permits. Operators offering horse races must also acquire a Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency licence, and the Atlantic Lottery Corporation also has a licence for all locations selling tickets and instant win games.

*️⃣ Are there casinos in Newfoundland, Canada?

Even though the Newfoundland and Labrador gambling laws allow, there are no land-based or First Nation casinos in this Canadian province. The casinos in Newfoundland and Labrador province are temporary because the gambling establishment can get a limited-time licence for poker, blackjack, roulette, and other table and card games.

*️⃣ Why Newfoundland and Labrador have no casinos?

When you read the gambling laws in Newfoundland and Labrador, you will notice that there is no ban on land-based casinos. The gambling laws in Canada apply, and the operators and First Nation tribes can open gambling locations with casino and card games. Since the provincial government wishes to limit the gambling influence over the people, the licences are temporary.

*️⃣ Is online gambling legal in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada?

There are also no online gambling laws in Newfoundland and Labrador because Canadian online gambling laws apply. There are many licensed and secure Canadian and offshore online casinos available to local players. There, they will find some of the best slots, live dealer games, RNG table games, and more online fun.

*️⃣ What is the legal gambling age in Newfoundland and Labrador, CA?

The Newfoundland and Labrador laws on gambling and the Criminal Code have clear instructions about the legal gambling age. Players and visitors of the province must be 19 years old to play at casinos, do sports betting, or play poker online or at land-based locations. Anyone over 18 years can play the lottery, wager on horse races, and more.

*️⃣ Is there a winners tax in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada?

Once again, the gambling laws in Newfoundland and Labrador work in favour of the player. That is because there is no winners tax in Newfoundland and Labrador province regardless of the type of gambling or wagering game you play. The same winners tax laws apply throughout all Canadian provinces.

*️⃣ How Newfoundland and Labrador casinos deal with cheating?

The Criminal Code, supportive legislation, and the Newfoundland and Labrador gambling laws have serious measures against gambling crimes. Any form of cheating, theft, fraud, money laundering, bribe, or other illegal activities related to gambling games is severely punished according to the law. The punishments can be a fine, prison time, or both.

*️⃣ Is there a gambling addiction helpline in Newfoundland, Canada?

Research shows that even though there are not many gambling locations and options, the danger of gambling addiction is real. That is why the provincial authorities and the government have created various forms of gambling addiction help and prevention. The online casinos and the brick-and-mortar operators must provide information about responsible gambling and assist the players.



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