Gambling in Newfoundland and Labrador
Online gambling is allowed in Newfoundland and Labrador with nothing stopping residents from wagering with online casinos, sports betting sites, playing poker and partaking in other forms of real money wagering. The top Newfoundland gambling sites are based in offshore locations, cater extensively to the Canadian dollar, are mobile friendly, including having apps for Android and iOS smartphones and offer some great bonus offers and promotions, including sign up deals.
Newfoundland and Labrador might allow its residents to gamble online, but there are no land-based casinos in this Canadian province, meaning the digital world is exceptionally popular. Below we will run you through the most popular forms of online gambling, give you oversight into the regulated gambling options, take a look at the horse racing scene and assess the gambling laws in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Gambling in Newfoundland & Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador might be one of the most beautiful provinces in Canada, but it hardly has a thriving gambling scene, with a bingo hall and a few electronic machines the only notable exceptions to the rule.
This, however, does not rule out online play and if you have an internet connection you are able to play at online casinos and wager on sports and racing events from around the world.
Gambling in Newfoundland and Labrador is governed by Service NL, although most of the policy is dictated by other provinces’ stance on the topic – in fact, gambling pursuits barely rate a mention with local legislators.
Despite this the Atlantic City Lottery Corporation has launched their ALC.ca website in Newfoundland and Labrador, which means there is a locally-licensed gambling website now, although the offshore options are also legal and safe to use.
Sports betting in Newfoundland
- Outstanding reputation!
- Android and iOS apps available
- Great promotions
- Can restrict winning punters
- Self-described “Kings of Mobile” and we agree!
- Live dealer table limits suit high rollers
- Outstanding customer service department
- Can have overzealous KYC and verification requirements
Betting online is the way to go if you are based in Newfoundland and Labrador with both Canadian-based sportsbooks and the offshore equivalent available.
Probably the best Canadian option is SportsInteraction, and the obvious pitfall, that you were restricted in the types of bets you can place, in comparison to offshore bookmakers has now been removed given the safe passage of Bill-C218 several years ago, which paved the way for single-event wagers.
Some great options offshore include William Hill, Betway, bet365, MelBet and a bevy of others with many different websites accepting players from this part of the world.
Newfoundland sports betting sites will allow you to wager on everything from the local soccer leagues like the Canadian Premier League, right through to popular international compettions like the English Premier League, La Liga or even obscure competitions like the A-League or J-League.
US sports are very popular in Canada, and Newfoundland and Labrador residents are no exception, with American Football, both NFL and college, very popular; while the NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball also have fans.
You can also place bets on the Pro Lines that are run by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation, either via its official website or at retail outlets.
Horse and harness racing on Newfoundland
The one racing track in this province of Canada is the St John’s Racing and Entertainment Centre in Goulds, and it is hardly thriving, with no meetings in recent times.
The last of the trainers who stabled horses at the track were evicted in 2016, and soon after the club shut down, with waning interest and a lack of horse numbers outlined in media reports.
While there is little racing action at the venue these days, there has been some chatter about possibly staging one-off meetings at the club, with people remembering the “good old days” at the picturesque venue.
Newfoundland & Labrador online casinos
Newfoundland and Labrador residents can play legally at casinos both licensed in Canada and those licensed offshore. This means you can access online games such as slots, blackjack, roulette and many other games you would find at land-based gaming venues.
If you are new to gambling on the internet, it’s actually easy to get started. Use websites such as this one to find a casino you like the sound of, then simply sign up.
There are plenty of options to add funds to your account, including using your credit or debit card, or payment processors you will be familiar with.
Poker: online and at land-based venues
If you are in Newfoundland and are looking for a unique experience, this province does boast one of the oldest legal poker rooms, which runs five nights a week. While the action is hardly going to make anyone rich, the stories told around the table alone are worth your blinds.
You can also play at legal and regulated online poker websites, which run right around the clock, and have table limits which will suit every player.
Most Canadians will be familiar with brands such as Pokerstars, GGPoker (GGPoker review) and 888Poker (888poker review) which are both great options for real money play.
The benefit of playing at poker sites like GGPoker is that they have massive liquidity and many different events, to suit a variety of players. For instance, they regularly run satellites into major events, both their own and major tournaments like the World Series of Poker.
Real money poker websites that allow Newfoundland and Labrador sign ups also often run bonus offers and promotions to entice customers to choose their brand. This can be a great way to increase your playing time, or at the very least check out what a operator has to offer.
Popular online poker varieties played online include:
- Texas Hold’em
- Omaha
- PLO Omaha
- Razz
- HORSE
- Cash or Ring games
- Seven Card Stud
- Caribbean Stud Poker
Lotto in NL Canada
NL is one of the four provinces, along with New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, that has its lottery offerings managed by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation. This means tickets can be bought at retail outlets such as convenience stores or from video lottery terminals.
There is a variety of options including daily smaller prize draws and huge weekly jackpots.
Gambling laws in Newfoundland
In Newfoundland and Labrador, gambling is regulated under federal and provincial laws. The primary legislation governing gambling activities is the Criminal Code of Canada, which prohibits most forms of gambling unless they are conducted and managed by provincial authorities. In Newfoundland and Labrador, gambling is overseen by the Department of Digital Government and Service NL, which acts as the provincial regulator.
Unlike some other provinces, Newfoundland and Labrador does not have any land-based casinos. The province permits only a limited range of gambling options, such as video lottery terminals (VLTs), lottery games, and charitable gaming (bingo, raffles, etc.). These activities are managed through Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC), a government-owned entity that also operates online gambling platforms accessible to residents.
There are no specific provincial laws that legalize private online gambling operators. As such, only government-regulated online platforms, like those run by ALC, are permitted. Offshore sites exist but operate in a legal gray area, as they are not explicitly licensed or banned by provincial legislation.
In summary, while gambling is allowed in Newfoundland and Labrador under tightly controlled circumstances, there is no physical casino presence, and online gambling is only legal through government-approved platforms, despite many doing it via offshore operators.
Newfoundland and Labrador gambling venues
As we have previously mentioned there is not much happening in terms of land-based gambling in this province of Canada. However, if you are a bingo enthusiast and are in the St John’s area you are in luck, while the race track boasts a handful of electronic machines, simulcast horse racing and off-track betting.
Cowan Plaza bingo
Address: St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
Info: Holds bingo games most days.
St John’s Racing and Entertainment Centre
Address: Goulds, Newfoundland and Labrador
Info: Holds horse racing and also has simulcast races you can bet on.
