Although Prince Edward Island is the smallest province in Canada, it’s home to a growing population of gambling enthusiasts. Prince Edward Islanders’ excitement towards this pastime is evident through their two lively land-based casinos.
Residents might be wondering if there are other betting options within the province. The resounding answer is yes— P.E.I residents have access to a wide range of legitimate offshore betting sites.
Our article digs a little deeper into the legalities of online betting in P.E.I and guides you to the best Prince Edward Island online casino and sports betting sites.
Gambling in P.E.I has long been centered around lotteries, which remain the most popular choice among residents. Recognizing its growing popularity, state officials introduced regulatory measures to oversee and manage the industry.
This manifested in the creation of The Prince Edward Island Lotteries Commission Act and The Atlantic Lottery Corporation (1976). The former manages lottery programs and sports betting systems, whilst the latter is a supportive arm offering assistance with regulation across all P.E.I gambling activities.
After the passage of the federal Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act (Bill C-218), which legalized single-event sports betting in Canada, the province updated their government-run website to offer single-events sports betting alongside lottery, bingo and online casino games.
The website is a good starting point for P.E.I residents, however there’s also a plethora of legitimate offshore betting sites which accept players from Prince Edward Island. These usually have better odds, a wider variety of games, more promotions, and diverse banking options.
Type of Gambling | Availability | Reason |
---|---|---|
Online Casinos | Available | There is one regulated site available: Pro-Line. Plenty of legal offshore sites also accept players from PEI. |
Online Poker | Offshore Only | No regulated online poker rooms available. Reputable offshore sites include poker for PEI residents to enjoy. |
Online Sports Betting | Available | Available through the Pro-Line Stadium now with single-events betting. |
Land-Based Casinos | Available | There are two land-based Casinos in Prince Edward Island: Red Shores Racetrack and Casino Red Shores Summerside |
Land-Based Poker Rooms | Available | Available at the two brick and mortar casinos. |
Land-Based Sportsbooks | Available | Available at the two land based casinos. |
As in most of Canada’s provinces (aside from Quebec) the legal gambling age is 19.
To point you in the right direction we’ve curated a list of recommended sites. If you like shopping around first then keep reading our guide. We’ve covered many key elements we expect Prince Edward Island online casinos and sportsbooks to maintain for potential punters. Let’s dive in!
We stick to a meticulous process when evaluating our recommended sportsbook and casino sites. You can take a deeper dive into our process here. If you want to skip that part, you can scan the key criteria we focus on below.
Naturally, we only choose casinos that are accessible to Prince Edward Island Residents. This ensures no disappointment from potential bettors.
We prioritize sites with strong player protection. We make sure these are clearly outlined throughout the site, so that digital punters can feel safe when betting on these sites.
It’s important to us that all the sites we recommend have convenient banking options for Canadian players, so that gaming transactions are smooth and with limited complications.
We favor casinos with a diverse range of games powered by reputable software providers like Pragmatic Play, Playtech, Yggdrasil and Evolution Gaming.
To give readers a clear overview of our sites, we’ve outlined the key factors side by side.
Casino | Welcome Bonus | Rollover | Min Deposit | # of Games | Read Review |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sports Interaction | Casino: 100% to $3,000 Sportsbook: 125% up to $250 | Casino: 30x Sportsbook: 6x | $10 | 2,000+ | Sports Interaction Review |
Powbet | Casino: 100% up to $750 Sportsbook: 100% up to $150 | Casino: 50x Sportsbook: 6x | $30 | 2,000+ | Powbet Review |
Everygame | Casino: 125% up to $1,000 Sportsbook: 50% up tp $250 | Sportsbook: 8x | $20 | Over 300 casino games | Everygame Review |
888sport | 100% up to $250 | 40x | $10 | Over 30 sports | 888 Review |
Sports Interaction | Casino: 100% to $3,000 Sportsbook: 125% up to $250 | Casino: 30x Sportsbook: 6x | $10 | 2,000+ | Sports Interaction Review |
Tonybet | Casino:100% up to $1,000 Sportsbook: 100% up to $350 | Casino: 40x Sportsbook: 5x | $20 | 5,300+ | Tonybet Review |
Yes. Online gambling is legal in Prince Edward Island. A central set of Canadian gambling laws exists under the Federal Criminal Code; yet, each province can enact its own rules regarding both land-based and online gambling. After the passage of Bill C-218, the P.E.I government seized the opportunity by introducing single events on their Pro-Line Stadium Website.
Even though this was a move towards the right direction, the feeling amongst casino enthusiasts remained somewhat the same, as online Ontario, P.E.I did not fully capitalize on the change in law. What’s more, the sports odds and game selection found on Proline Stadium isn’t too comprehensive. As a result, this has also set the stage for offshore gambling sites to become popular alternatives for P.E.I’s online gamblers. There’s no law stating that these aren’t permitted within the province, so Islanders’ can gamble with little hesitation.
Land-Based Gambling Options in Prince Edward IslandPrince Edward Island offers a unique blend of history, culture, and entertainment. Its two land-based casinos stand out as key attractions.
From the bustling Red Shores Racetrack & Casino in Charlottetown to the more intimate Red Shores Summerside, both casinos are as popular as each other.
Casino | Address | Phone Number | Attractions | Operator |
---|---|---|---|---|
Red Shores Racetrack and Casino | 21 exhibition Dr. Charlottetown, PE, C1A 9S8 | 1 (902) 620-4222 | Over 150 Slots, private table games, Poker (Hold ‘Em texas) and the oldest racing track in the province offering Harness racing. | Atlantic Lottery Corporation |
Red Shores Summerside | 55 Greenwood Dr. Summerside, PE, C1N 6E4 | 1 (902) 629-6636 | Over 150 slots, private table rooms (Blackjack, Ultimate Texas Hold ‘EM) Harness Racing. | Atlantic Lottery Corporation |
The Prince Edward Island Lotteries Commision is responsible for the regulation of gambling across the P.E.I province, supported by The Atlantic Lottery Corporation. They adhere to the principles of the Lotteries Commission Act whilst overseeing gaming activities.The commission’s key directive is to manage lottery schemes and sports betting systems, like those on the government run Pro-Line Stadium. All other online casinos and sports betting operators possess licenses from outside the province, and therefore aren’t directly regulated by the Lotteries Commision.
The Atlantic Lottery Corporation provides very solid responsible gambling tips. One stand-out feature is its PlayWise portal which helps bettors across Canada gamble in a healthy manner. This includes setting limits on money and time spent playing. It also provides players with key gambling facts and crucial support information too.
Comparing Prince Edward Island’s Gambling Laws Neighboring ProvincesPrince Edward Island, even though small, does still offer satisfactory gambling options when taking into consideration its two land-based casinos, government run website and its allowance of offshore gambling sites.
Similarly, its neighboring province Nova Scotia—Canada’s second-smallest province— has two-land-based casinos, three racetracks and also regulates a government-run website. Offshore sites are just as readily available in Nova Scotia as they are in P.E.I.
In contrast, Newfoundland does not offer any legal land-based or online gambling options. Residents are encouraged to use reputable offshore sites licensed outside the province.
In effect gambling is legal across the whole of Canada, as stated in its Criminal Code of Canada. Rules vary by province within Canada, each one taking inspiration from the other.
The Future of Online Betting in Prince Edward IslandThe passage of Bill C-218 was a real game changer across the whole of Canada. This encouraged P.E.I to update Pro-Line to the newly formed Pro Line Stadium which allows for single-betting on sports. However, there was no other movement, especially within the realms of online casinos, poker rooms, or lotteries (which remains P.E.I’s favourite past-time). Due to profitability, it seems unlikely private sector operators will enter the P.E.I market.
Please gamble responsibly in Prince Edward IslandIt’s important to understand that gambling is a form of entertainment and not a means to an end. It should be treated as a fun activity that will not pose any risks to you or your loved ones. In recent months, P.E.I has taken measures to address problem gambling via educational marketing campaigns that have already proven successful. If you or someone you care about feels that their gambling is becoming an uncontrollable urge despite the consequences, we urge you to take a look at the resources below for support.
Prince Edward Island offers a variety of gambling options, including two land-based casinos, a government-run website and access to numerous offshore betting sites.
While lotteries dominate the province’s gambling scene, the recent passage of Bill C-218 has expanded sports betting opportunities with single-event wagers. This has certainly excited sports betting fans, but the overall mood remains more subdued among other players. P.E.I. residents can also turn to legitimate offshore sites that offer a broader range of betting options.
As the gambling market is continually evolving, P.E.I could see more changes in the future, but it’s unlikely to happen anytime soon.
Taylor Smith is a skilled iGaming writer and content editor. He started writing for GamblingNerd.com in 2017 and became a content specialist in 2022. He majored in radio and film in college. After a transition to writing about online gambling, he now has over ten years of experience in the field. Yes, he’s heard your Taylor Swift jokes.