Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act in Force

Summary#

This order fixes August 27, 2021 as the day the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act comes into force. In practice, that Act changes the Criminal Code so provinces and territories can run single-event sports betting (horse racing stays under federal control).

What it does#

• Sets August 27, 2021 as the coming-into-force date for the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act.
• Removes the criminal ban that stopped provinces and territories from conducting and managing bets on single sporting events.
• Keeps horse-race betting (pari-mutuel or pooled betting) under federal responsibility.

Who's affected#

• Provinces and territories — they can now choose to offer single-event sports betting and keep the revenues.
• People who bet on sports — they may be able to use regulated provincial or territorial services instead of offshore sites.
• The gaming industry and related employers — the Canadian Gaming Association estimates the industry totals $17 billion annually, with $9 billion going to governments, $4 billion wagered offshore, and supporting about 180,000 jobs.
• Provincial gaming operators already preparing to act, such as iGaming Ontario (announced by Ontario) and the British Columbia Lottery Corporation through PlayNow.com.
• The horse-racing sector — remains under federal rules and pari‑mutuel systems.
• Indigenous Nations, communities and organizations — some support decriminalization, while many have expressed concern that the change does not address their specific interests or offer them direct arrangements.

Why it matters#

• It makes legal what many other places already do: betting on a single game or match will be permitted at the provincial/territorial level.
• It could shift money from offshore platforms back into regulated Canadian channels, increasing revenues for provinces and territories that may fund public services.
• Provinces that move quickly may roll out new online and in-person betting products, affecting where and how Canadians place sports bets.
• The change leaves a clear separation: provinces handle single-event sports betting; the federal government keeps responsibility for horse-race pari‑mutuel betting.