Practical guide
How old you must be to visit a casino, province by province
Last revised · facts verified
Canada has no single casino age; the provinces set it. Alberta, Manitoba and Québec let you in at 18, while Ontario, British Columbia and New Brunswick want you to be 19. The limit always applies on the gaming floor, and some resorts stretch it to bars, show venues or every corner of the property. Here's what to check before you book.
| Province | Min. age | Regulator | Helpline | Self-exclusion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 19+ | Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) | ConnexOntario 1-866-531-2600 (any hour; you can also text CONNEX to 247247) | OLG My PlayBreak: pick 3 months up to 5 years; applies at all Ontario casinos |
| Québec | 18+ | Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ) | Gambling: Help and Referral 1-800-461-0140 (free, confidential, day and night) | Loto-Québec self-exclusion: 3 months to 5 years; cannot be revoked after signing |
| British Columbia | 19+ | Independent Gambling Control Office (IGCO) | Gambling Support BC 1-888-795-6111 (no charge, open 24/7) | BCLC Game Break: anywhere from 6 months to 3 years |
| Alberta | 18+ | Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) | Alberta Health Services Addiction Helpline 1-866-332-2322 (round the clock) | AGLC Self-Exclusion: 6 months to 3 years, every Alberta casino plus PlayAlberta.ca |
| Manitoba | 18+ | Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba (LGCA) | Gambling Helpline 1-800-463-1554 (24 hours a day) | Voluntary Self-Exclusion: choose Casinos of Winnipeg, Shark Club and/or PlayNow.com |
| New Brunswick | 19+ | Gaming Control Branch, Department of Justice and Public Safety | Gambling Information Line 1-800-461-1234 (free and confidential, TTY available) | Voluntary Self-Exclusion, handled by Great Canadian Entertainment |
Which ID to carry
Whatever the province, carry photo ID issued by a government. British Columbia is particularly firm: since June 2023 every casino guest there is asked for it, and the card is run against the restricted-entry list. Québec casinos ask anyone who appears to be under 25. Some individual casinos add checks of their own; at Great Blue Heron in Ontario, for example, the door staff want an original, valid government photo ID and a second photo ID as well.
Hotels that set their own age rules
- Hard Rock Ottawa: nobody under 19 anywhere on site, rooms and restaurants included.
- Great Canadian Toronto and Casino New Brunswick: the name on the reservation has to belong to someone 19 or older; kids can share the room but not the 19+ zones.
- River Rock: the person checking in must be at least 19.
- River Cree: from July 29, 2024, under-18s with an adult have been allowed into every non-gaming area.
- Fallsview: children are fine on the property, but strollers and babies in arms aren't allowed onto the gaming floor.
Banning yourself, voluntarily
Every province will, on request, bar you from its casinos for a stretch of time you choose, and some of those agreements can't be cancelled before they run out. Thinking it over? Phone your province's helpline from the table above. The call is free and stays confidential.