Your Guide
Online gambling in British Columbia is quite liberal with the British Columbia Lottery Corporation holding a monopoly to provide online gaming. Offshore casinos, sports betting sites and bingo accept residents with a minimum legal age of 19 (some at the age of 21).
The maximum number of casinos in British Columbia permitted by law is 22.
- 15 casinos
- 2 racetrack casinos
- 6 bingo facilities
- 19 Community Gaming Centers
PlayNow.com was launched in July 2010 and is available for British Columbia residents only.
The online platform offers:
- Lottery
- Sports betting
- Slots
- Bingo
- Table games – Blackjack, Sic Bo, Craps and Roulette
In 2012, the BCLC entered into a partnership with Loto-Quebec to offer online poker.
British Columbia Online Casinos
| RANK | CASINO | WELCOME BONUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | $1500 + 200 Free Spins | PLAY NOW |
| 2 |  | $5000 + 80 Free Spins | PLAY NOW |
| 3 |  | $800 + 100 Free Spins | PLAY NOW |
| 4 |  | $1,000 + 200 Free Spins | PLAY NOW |
| 5 |  | $1,000 + 200 Free Spins | PLAY NOW |
Online Gambling
- Offshore online casinos accept players from British Columbia.
- The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), an agent of the government), is the only state regulated online onshore operator and operates through the PlayNow.com platform.
- The BCLC holds monopoly over offline and online lottery products, sports betting and gaming products.
Legalislation
- Online operators are neither explicitly prohibited or permitted.
- Provincial law prohibits unlicensed onshore operators from operating within the market.
- Local governments determine the type and scope of gaming within their territories.
- Horse race betting is commercially operated at racetracks and permitted for licensed operators.
- Community Gaming Centers are permitted to offer slots and bingo products, but not table games.
- Charitable or religious organisations may apply for and receive licenses to operate charitable gaming.
Minimum Legal Gambling Age
The gambling age is 19
Taxation
- The surplus generated from all BCLC activity, including PlayNow.com is circulated to support communities, Provincial programs and charities.
- Casino revenue is taxed through sharing agreements with local governments that host casinos. 10% of the net income generated from these casinos is paid to the host local governments.
Regulatory Bodies
- The Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch
- Ministry of Finance
- BCLC is responsible for the oversight and management of casino activity in British Columbia.
Key Legislation
- Gaming Control Act
- Gaming Control Regulations
- The Canadian Criminal Code, Part VII.