Newfoundland and Labrador online sports betting laws

The passage of C-218 in August 2021 followed a determined campaign by its supporters to allow single-game wagering. Bosses at the Atlantic Lottery Corporation made it abundantly clear that it would be simple to add single-game wagering to the range of bets permitted through its Pro-Line platform.

As soon as the law was passed on August 27, Newfoundland and Labrador became one of seven provinces to grab the chance to offer online sports bets on single games. However, the only licensed option for Newfoundland and Labrador online betting is the Pro-Line platform. It is unclear whether or not the province, along with the other Atlantic provinces, will open the way for licenses to be issued to reputable international operators in the near future.

As things stand, many of the biggest names in international betting are offering their services to sports bettors in Newfoundland and Labrador, and across Canada as a whole. They are operating in a grey area – while their activities are completely legal, they do not have licenses to trade in Canada.

The offshore sportsbooks tend to offer a wider range of odds, and deliver bonuses and offers to customers, which makes them very competitive against the Pro-Line platform. As a result, millions of betting dollars flow offshore each year as customers take the small risk that, in the event of a dispute, they will have no legal recourse against an unlicensed operator.

The Canadian government believes that the proceeds of gambling do not constitute a form of income. As a result, no tax is levied on winnings from any form of betting. The only exceptions arise if you are a professional gambler who makes a living from betting, or if you accrue interest on your winnings. In such cases, failure to declare the tax you owe could result in a fine. It is also worth remembering that if you visit the US and have a winning bet there, you will have to pay some of it in tax to the US government.

As in the majority of Canadian provinces, if you want to enjoy Newfoundland and Labrador sports betting you will need to be at least 19 years old. This stipulation also applies to the two licensed casinos in the province.

Modern sportsbooks use geo-location technology to verify that customers are physically located in the area covered by their license. That means when you register for an online account with the Atlantic Lottery Corporation, you will have to prove that you are located in Newfoundland and Labrador, or one of the neighboring Atlantic provinces, to be able to proceed with your wagering.