Online casinos in Manitoba: what’s legal
Manitoba's legal online casino is PlayNow.com, run by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries and regulated by the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority. Here is what that means for you.
Is it legal to play online?
Yes, on PlayNow.com Manitoba. Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, a provincial Crown corporation, runs the province’s legal online gambling site, PlayNow.com. It is regulated by the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba (LGCA). Manitoba does not license private online casinos. The minimum age is 18.
Who runs online gambling in Manitoba
Under section 207 of the Criminal Code, the province conducts and manages gambling. In Manitoba this is done by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, which runs casinos, lottery and the online site PlayNow.com. The site uses the platform built by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, which is its service provider. That is why the Manitoba and B.C. sites look alike. They are separate sites with separate accounts.
The LGCA is the regulator. PlayNow Manitoba states that it is regulated by the LGCA.
Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries is also one of the provincial lottery corporations appealing Ontario’s plan to let its players share games with players abroad. The Supreme Court of Canada heard that case on October 7, 2026.
How to check a site is legal in Manitoba
- The legal site is PlayNow.com, Manitoba version (the address contains /mb/). Check you are not on the B.C. or Saskatchewan version.
- Registration checks that you are 18 or older, using data from a major Canadian credit bureau, and that you are in Manitoba.
- Any other casino that accepts a Manitoba address is not licensed by the province, whatever licence it shows.
What this means for players
On PlayNow Manitoba, provincial rules apply: identity and age checks, self-exclusion, the LGCA as regulator and MBLL customer service.
Offshore casinos, including the casinos we review, accept players from Manitoba but are not licensed in the province. The LGCA cannot help with a refused withdrawal at an offshore site. Your only route is the regulator named in the casino’s licence, if any. That is why we check the licence in the regulator’s own register and time a real withdrawal; see how we test and our safest casinos checklist.
Voluntary self-exclusion
From your PlayNow account (My Account, then Self-Exclusion) you can exclude yourself for 6 months, 1 year, 2 years or 3 years. Your account closes and unused cash is paid out; open sports bets are not refunded. The exclusion cannot be ended early.
Online enrolment covers the website only. To exclude yourself from Manitoba casinos too, book an appointment by calling 204-957-2500 ext. 8468. After the period ends, you must complete the Pause and Plan course and write to Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries to return.
Help in Manitoba
The Gambling Helpline at 1-800-463-1554 is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Shared Health (formerly the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba) offers free professional counselling for gambling problems. More options are on our responsible gambling page.
If you choose an offshore casino anyway
If you play at an offshore site, these checks cut the risk:
- Find the licence number and the company name, and confirm both, with the exact website address, in the regulator’s own register.
- Upload your ID documents right after sign-up, so your first withdrawal is not held up.
- Deposit a small amount, play a little, and ask for a withdrawal before you deposit more.
- Set a deposit limit in your account before you play.
- Keep copies of the terms, your deposits and every support chat.
Our safest casinos checklist lists the registers, and our fast payout page shows the withdrawal times we measured.
If a fake site took your money
Stop sending money, and call your bank or card issuer at once to ask about stopping or disputing the payment. Report the site to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or online, and report the ad to the platform where you saw it. Keep screenshots of the site, the ad and your payments.
Manitoba and the other provinces
| Province | Private online casinos | Provincial site | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Yes, registered with AGCO + iGaming Ontario | PlayOLG | 19 |
| British Columbia | No | PlayNow | 19 |
| Alberta | Regulated market (AGLC) | PlayAlberta | 18 |
| Quebec | No | Loto-Québec | 18 |
| Manitoba | No | PlayNow | 18 |
| Saskatchewan | No | PlayNow | 19 |
| New Brunswick | No | Atlantic Lottery | 19 |
| Nova Scotia | No | Atlantic Lottery | 19 |
| Prince Edward Island | No | Atlantic Lottery | 19 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | No | Atlantic Lottery | 19 |
FAQ
What is the gambling age in Manitoba?
18. PlayNow Manitoba lists 18+ and checks age when you register.
Is PlayNow Manitoba the same as PlayNow in B.C.?
No. Both run on BCLC’s platform, but each is a separate site for its own province’s residents, run by its own provincial corporation. An account in one does not work in the other.
Does Manitoba plan to license private online casinos?
We have not seen an announcement from the province.
Is it illegal for me to play on an offshore site from Manitoba?
The Criminal Code is aimed mainly at those who run gambling without provincial authority. What is certain is that an offshore site gives you no Manitoba protection.
Are my winnings taxed?
For recreational players, generally not. Interest earned on winnings is taxable. See gambling winnings and tax.
Sources
- PlayNow Manitoba: Manitoba’s own legal gambling site (checked November 3, 2026)
- PlayNow Manitoba: Voluntary Self-Exclusion (checked November 3, 2026)
- Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries: Concerned about your gambling? (checked November 3, 2026)
- Supreme Court of Canada: Case 42141 (checked November 3, 2026)
- Government of Saskatchewan: Don’t fall for fake casino ads online (Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre number) (checked November 3, 2026)
- Justice Laws: Criminal Code, section 207 (checked November 3, 2026)