With every Canadian region and province having some degree of control over whether it authorises or forbids gambling, it is essential to know where things stand based on where you live. In Newfoundland and Labrador, betting is allowed for the most part. There are exceptions, of course. With that in mind, we should take a closer look at the gambling laws of Newfoundland and Labrador to get a clearer picture.
Is Gambling Legal in Newfoundland and Labrador?
For the most part, gambling in Newfoundland and Labrador is legal. There is no over-arching authority which has total control in regulating gambling games. Each type of game tends to be subject to different rules. Many of the gambling games you can play, for instance, are run by the First Nations, but Service NL oversees charitable, non-profitable gambling games as well as some lottery events. Note that there are not really many gambling laws for you to become familiar with, so we will just get straight to the point…
Here is a quick breakdown of the types of land-based gambling games you can expect to play in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Bingo Games: Bingo games are generally considered to be a form of lottery game. Because of this, Service NL typically has jurisdiction. While there are no established bingo halls in Newfoundland and Labrador, save for Cowan Plaza Bingo, the game is still considered legal.
Casino Games: Land-based casino gambling is illegal in Newfoundland and Labrador. However, tribes in First Nations territories do have the authority to run their own casinos, and a handful of venues have opened in this manner.
Horse Racing: There is just one racetrack in Newfoundland and Labrador, namely the St. John’s Racing and Entertainment Centre. Despite that, a handful of off-track outlets permits betting on horse races, provided they are regulated by the Standardbred Canada group, or the Canadian Pari-mutuel Agency.
Lottery Games: Lottery games have been legal in Newfoundland and Labrador for many years. All lottery games must be run by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation and regulated by Service NL. Over a thousand outlets sell tickets to provincial lotteries, with some jackpots reaching up to $50 million in value.
Sports Betting: Sports betting is permitted in the region, but only parlay bets via the Pro-Line service. Wagers are capped at $250 with this service, and anybody interested in sports betting must be aged 19 or older.
Others: Charitable games, including a raffle and bingo games, are legal, provided they are licensed by Service NL and the Department of Government Services. Almost four thousand charitable gambling licenses have been issued, so profit-free gambling is very much alive and well in Newfoundland and Labrador.
What About Online Gambling?
As we have mentioned, gambling in land-based, brick and mortar casinos in Newfoundland and Labrador is illegal. The only exceptions are those sites which are run by First Nations tribes. With that in mind, things are not looking too rosy for internet casino sites, either.
Officially, no sportsbooks, internet casinos or other forms of internet betting sites are permitted to offer gambling to players in Newfound and Labrador, if they are based within the region. However, there is no law which states that you cannot play at offshore casinos. An offshore casino is a site which is licensed and based outside of Newfoundland and Labrador. There are over a thousand of these for you to choose from.
Licensed Betting Sites
Newfoundland and Labrador does not have any licensed online casinos. Even First Nations tribes do not run any online casinos from within their own territory. If, therefore, you wish to bet on internet casino games, you will need to visit offshore betting sites. Fortunately, there are thousands of these for you to play at, and many of them will accept players who reside in Newfoundland and Labrador. With that said, let us take a closer look at your options then.
Offshore Betting Sites
If you live in Newfoundland and Labrador, you are going to have no choice but to play at offshore internet casinos. These represent any online casino which accepts players from the region, but which is not licensed and regulated inside Newfoundland and Labrador. These international sites are not just limited to online casinos, though. The full range of available betting sites include:
- Online casinos
- Bingo rooms
- Poker rooms
- Racebooks
- Online sportsbooks
- Lottery websites
You are not required to do anything shady or illegal to place bets at external sites while living in Newfoundland and Labrador. Nor are you required to install a VPN (virtual private network). Many of these foreign casinos will readily accept you if you honestly say that you are living in the region. Some even specifically cater to players in Newfoundland and Labrador. The question is, should you opt to play at these sites, and is there a punishment in place for doing so? It is time to find out…
Should I Play at Internet Betting Sites in Newfoundland and Labrador?
There is no trouble at all in store for you, should you decide to wager at internet betting sites which are licensed outside of Newfoundland and Labrador. As mentioned, you will have no choice but to play at these sites if you wish to bet online. These internet betting sites are typically open and accepting of players in Newfoundland and Labrador, and provide the Canadian dollar, as well as Canadian-friendly banking methods to lure you in.
You should still pick and reputable and trusted internet betting site, though. On this page, you will find many Canadian and offshore casinos which accept players in Newfoundland and Labrador. All these sites are tested, vetted, and approved for gameplay. Many of them do not just carry online casino games, but also live dealer games, sports betting options and more. International poker rooms, bingo rooms, and lottery betting sites are also open to players in Newfoundland and Labrador and may be worth checking out if you fancy playing something different.
