Canadians lost $638 million to fraud in 2024. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reports that total losses since 2021 now exceed $2 billion. The gambling industry saw a 79.3% year-over-year increase in suspected fraud attempts during the first half of 2024, with 9.6% of all transactions flagged as suspicious. That rate is the highest among all Canadian industries.
These numbers tell you something worth knowing before you enter your credit card details on any casino website. The question is simple: how do you separate a licensed operator from a scam artist?
Provincial Regulation Runs the Show
Canada does not have a single federal body overseeing online gambling. Each province sets its own rules and authorizes its own operators. In Ontario, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario registers operators, and iGaming Ontario manages day-to-day oversight. As of November 2025, iGaming Ontario lists 48 registered operators running 82 gaming websites.
British Columbia takes a different approach. PlayNow.com is the only legal online gambling site in the province, operated by BCLC. The organization notes that over 800 gambling websites operate illegally in B.C. and Canada. Profits from PlayNow.com go back to government investments benefiting British Columbians.
Alberta introduced Bill 48: the iGaming Alberta Act on March 26, 2025. Before this legislation, Play Alberta served as the sole regulated online gambling site in the province. Revenue from Play Alberta goes directly into the Government of Alberta’s General Revenue Fund.
Understanding which body governs your province helps you verify a site’s legitimacy before you deposit money.
Checking Platform Offerings Before You Register
Licensed operators in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta each provide different catalogues. PlayNow.com in B.C. runs slots, table games, and sports betting through a single provincial site. iGaming Ontario’s 82 registered websites include a range of games for Canadian casino players, from live dealer tables to lottery-style options and poker rooms. Play Alberta offers its own selection under provincial oversight. Reviewing what each platform carries helps you confirm it matches your preferences before handing over personal data.
A legitimate site will display its licence and regulatory affiliation clearly in the footer or about section. Cross-reference these claims with AGCO’s public registry or the relevant provincial body to verify authenticity.
What Licensed Operators Must Do
Operators registered with iGaming Ontario meet specific requirements before they can accept players. These include standards for game integrity, fairness, player protections, and social responsibility. Sites must have controls preventing underage access and tools enabling responsible gambling. Operators sign legal agreements ensuring compliance with anti-money laundering laws.
Age and identity verification is mandatory. This process prevents underage gambling, stops self-excluded players from creating new accounts, and reduces fraud and money laundering risks. Your financial information receives protection under these standards.
The iGaming Ontario logo on a website indicates that site operates under provincial management and meets Ontario’s standards for game integrity and responsible gambling.
Red Flags That Signal a Scam
BCLC issued warnings about social media scams imitating B.C. casinos. These scams trick people into providing financial details on fake websites. BCLC’s verified websites and apps will never ask for your social insurance number, banking information, or credit card details online to claim a prize from a B.C. casino.
Casino Woodbine has been targeted by impersonation scams on Instagram and Facebook. Fake promotions used the casino’s name and property photo, promising exclusive sign-up bonuses and free spins to people who download a nonexistent app. Casino Woodbine does not have an online gaming app. Neither it nor any affiliated Great Canadian Entertainment destinations host online draws, contests, or applications of that nature.
A few practical checks help you spot fraud:
Anyone suggesting you pay fees or taxes on a prize is running a scam. Canada does not tax lottery or gambling prizes. There are no fees to collect winnings.
Scammers often create fake URLs with small spelling errors. Check the domain carefully before entering any personal information. A single letter difference can send you to a phishing site designed to steal your data.
Unsolicited messages about winnings or bonuses from accounts you did not follow or sign up with should raise immediate suspicion.
How to Verify an Ontario Operator
Ontario players can confirm a site’s legitimacy through several methods. Valid AGCO licenses can be verified on the AGCO’s official website. Look for a statement confirming partnership with iGaming Ontario, usually found in the site’s footer.
Legitimate operators display responsible gambling tools prominently. These include deposit limits, cooling-off periods, and self-exclusion options. ConnexOntario support links and age-verification systems appear on authorized sites.
The CAFC, jointly managed by the RCMP, the Competition Bureau, and the Ontario Provincial Police, received 108,878 reports in 2024. These included at least 34,621 victims of fraud. The reporting rate remains low, with only 5% to 10% of frauds reported.
Money Laundering and Regulatory Oversight
FINTRAC’s Project Dolus targets money laundering through online gambling sites. The agency’s Special Bulletin provides information to help reporting entities identify and assess money laundering and terrorist activity financing risks.
Licensed operators must maintain compliance with these anti-money laundering requirements. Sites operating outside provincial regulation face no such obligations, which makes them attractive to criminals and risky for players.
What to Do If You Encounter Fraud
Report fraud to your local police service. File a report with the CAFC online or by calling 1-888-495-8501. You should report to the CAFC even if you did not lose money. Your report helps track patterns and protect other Canadians.
Document everything. Save screenshots of suspicious messages, record URLs, and keep copies of any communication with the fraudulent site.
Contact your bank or credit card company immediately if you provided payment information to a suspected scam site. They can monitor for unauthorized charges and potentially block further transactions.
Sticking With Provincial Sites
The safest option for Canadian players is using provincially regulated sites. In Ontario, check iGaming Ontario’s directory of 48 registered operators. In British Columbia, PlayNow.com is your only legal option. In Alberta, Play Alberta operates under provincial oversight, with the new iGaming Alberta Act paving the way for additional regulated operators.
These sites return revenue to provincial governments rather than offshore accounts. They meet standards for player protection that unlicensed sites ignore. They verify your identity and age, maintain responsible gambling tools, and operate under anti-money laundering requirements.
The 800-plus illegal gambling websites operating in Canada offer none of these protections. The $638 million Canadians lost to fraud in 2024 demonstrates the cost of choosing convenience over verification.