Online Sports Betting: Prince Edward Island

Does Prince Edward Island offer the best online sports betting in Canada? As the smallest province in terms of population, Prince Edward Island is home to just 140 000 people, and comprises a main island and 231 minor ones. That doesn’t mean the residents don’t have access to a growing number of first-rate offshore-based online sports betting sites – on the contrary, they have access to many of the same ones that the rest of Canada has contact with. Moreover, because it’s such a tiny province, Prince Edward Island only has two land-based bookies, which means the online world offers far more opportunities for residents to bet on their favourite sporting events.   

In this article, we take a closer look at what’s available for Prince Edward Islanders in terms of online sports betting, as well as land-based bookies. In addition, we take a look at the differences between the two, as well as the gambling laws.

Prince Edward Island offers gaming and sports betting enthusiasts the opportunity to engage in sports betting games and paper-based lotteries, while only one land-based casino exists in the city of Charlottetown. The charitable gaming activities that are allowed include ticket lotteries, selected games of chance, and, of course, bingo. In addition to these regulated and provincially operated gaming options, players from Prince Edward Island are also taking advantage of the increasing number of offshore operations.

When it comes to regulation and actual oversight of sports betting and gaming activities in Prince Edward Island, the responsibility lies with the province’s Lotteries Commission. Formed in 1976, the Lotteries Commission operates under the auspices of the Deputy Provincial Treasurer, and is a shareholder in the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC), which operates video and ticket lotteries in Canada’s four maritime jurisdictions, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.    

The ALC currently operates online sports betting and paper-based games in Prince Edward Island under the following brands: Stadium-Bets, PRO-LINE Futures, PRO-LINE Fantasy and PRO-LINE. Online sports betting game can be accessed via ALC’s web-based portal, ProLineStadium.com.

As we’ve already stated, Prince Edward Island only has two major land-based betting venues, of which just one is a casino. The casino venue is Red Shores Racetrack & Casino, located at Charlottetown Driving Park. Here, players can enjoy 200 video slots, 4 table games, 5 poker tables, and, of course, horse racing. The second venue is Red Shores Summerside. It’s a smaller land-based betting venue with only 40 gaming machines, plus horse racing and simulcasting. Simulcasting means that certain sporting events, particularly horse racing, can be broadcasted from around the world onto TV screens located in lounge areas at the betting venue  – players can place their bets, sit in the lounge, and socialise with each other while the simulcast  takes place. In other words, land-based sports betting has a social aspect to it that is missing in the online world. Plus, if you don’t have a strong Internet connection, land-based bookies are a great option, although you’ll have to literally travel to the venue.

Online and mobile technology have made enormous strides in the past few years, which is why online sports betting has become so incredibly popular. What’s more, you don’t have to travel to the two land-based venues to get your kicks, you can just sit back, relax and place your bets on your PC from the comfort of your home, or while you’re on the move on your mobile device. Popular online sportsbooks include 888Sport, 5Dimes, Betway and Bodog, all of whom are well known for their excellent customer service and trustworthy payment methods. Most importantly, they offer a much wider variety of betting options and competitive odds than land-based bookies, plus they also extend single-game betting, in-play betting and more.

In short, while online sports betting lacks in the social aspect, it still offers more for players to enjoy than land-based bookies in Canada do. Ultimately though, it’s up to the individual to decide what works best for them. Whichever one tickles your fancy, bet responsibly, and above all, have fun!

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