Single-event sports betting is legal in Manitoba. After Bill C-218 changed federal law in August 2021, Manitoba enabled betting on a single game or event. This explainer covers what is legal today, who runs it, the legal age, how to bet, and how winnings are taxed.
Manitoba sports betting at a glance
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Online sports betting | Legal – via PlayNow (monopoly) |
| Retail sports betting | Legal (casinos + Sport Select) |
| Single-event legal | Since 27 Aug 2021 |
| Regulator | MBLL (operator); LGCA regulates |
| Market model | Provincial monopoly |
| Legal online operator(s) | PlayNow.com (MBLL) |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Winnings taxed? | No – recreational winnings are tax-free |
Legal sports betting in Manitoba
Manitoba uses a provincial model. PlayNow.com, run by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries (MBLL), is the only legal online sportsbook. Manitoba also has casinos in Winnipeg and offers retail Sport Select betting.
Legal status and key dates
Single-event sports betting became legal across Canada on 27 August 2021, when Bill C-218 amended the Criminal Code. Manitoba offered single-event betting through PlayNow after the 2021 federal change. Manitoba has offered Sport Select since 1989 and launched PlayNow in 2013. Gambling is regulated by the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba (LGCA), with MBLL operating PlayNow.
How to bet legally in Manitoba
- Use a legal option – MBLL’s PlayNow.com.
- Be 18 or older (the legal gambling age in Manitoba).
- Create an account and verify your identity.
- Deposit with Interac, the most common Canadian method.
- Place your bet.
Are gambling winnings taxed in Manitoba?
No. In Canada, recreational gambling winnings are not treated as taxable income, so you keep what you win. The only exception is the rare case of someone who gambles professionally as a business. This is a federal rule, so it applies in Manitoba as it does across Canada.
Responsible gambling in Manitoba
You must be 18 or older to bet in Manitoba. Free, confidential support is available through the Manitoba Addictions Helpline at 1-855-662-6605, and every regulated site offers deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion.
FAQs
Yes. Single-event sports betting is legal in Manitoba, offered through MBLL’s PlayNow.com.
18. You must be 18 or older to bet in Manitoba.
The legal option is MBLL’s PlayNow.com. Sites operating outside provincial regulation offer weaker player protection.
No – recreational winnings are tax-free in Canada. Only professional gamblers, a rare business-like case, may be taxed.
For the national picture, see is sports betting legal in Canada?, or our guide to the best betting sites in Canada.
18+ in Manitoba. Please play responsibly. Help is available through the Manitoba Addictions Helpline at 1-855-662-6605.