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Online casinos in British Columbia: what’s legal

In British Columbia, the province's own PlayNow.com is the only legal online gambling site. Here is who regulates it, how to spot copycat sites and what offshore casinos mean for you.

By · updated

Is it legal to play online?

Yes, on PlayNow.com. The Government of British Columbia lists PlayNow.com, run by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), as the only legal online gambling site in B.C. There is no licensing system for private online casinos. You must be 19 or older.

Who runs gambling in B.C.

BCLC is a Crown corporation. It conducts and manages casinos, lotteries and online gambling for the province, as section 207 of the Criminal Code requires. Its online site is PlayNow.com, which offers casino games, lottery, sports betting and poker.

The regulator changed in 2026. B.C.’s new Gaming Control Act came into force on April 13, 2026, and the former Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch became the Independent Gambling Control Office. The government said the new act covers online gambling and new gaming technologies, and that the regulator will monitor online applications and software updates. The IGCO also runs the Gambling Support BC program.

BCLC’s PlayNow platform is also used by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries and in Saskatchewan, so you may see “PlayNow” in three provinces. Each is a separate site for that province’s residents.

  1. Check the address. The legal site is playnow.com. BCLC’s own apps are published by BCLC.
  2. Be careful with sites that use the name or photos of a B.C. casino. BCLC has warned about scam sites that copy local casinos to look official.
  3. When you register, PlayNow asks you to confirm you are 19 or older and a resident of British Columbia. Any other casino that accepts you is not licensed by the province.

What this means for players

On PlayNow.com, B.C. rules apply: identity and age checks, Game Break self-exclusion, the IGCO as regulator and BCLC customer service if something goes wrong.

Many offshore casinos accept players from B.C., including the casinos we review. They are not licensed by the province. If a withdrawal is refused, the IGCO and BCLC cannot help you. Your only route is the regulator named in the casino’s own licence, if it has one. That is why our reviews check the licence in the regulator’s register and time a real withdrawal. See how we test.

If you choose an offshore site anyway, read our safest casinos checklist first, and set a deposit limit before your first deposit.

Game Break and GameSense

Game Break is BCLC’s voluntary self-exclusion program. You can choose 6 months, 1 year, 2 years or 3 years, and you cannot cancel it before the end. Since March 25, 2024, Game Break excludes you from PlayNow.com and BCLC’s apps. BCLC says anyone who enrols is automatically excluded from both PlayNow and all B.C. gambling facilities, wherever they enrol.

GameSense Advisors work in every B.C. casino and can help with enrolment. Gambling Support BC answers 24/7 at 1-888-795-6111 and can connect you with a free counsellor. 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:

  1. Find the licence number and the company name, and confirm both, with the exact website address, in the regulator’s own register.
  2. Upload your ID documents right after sign-up, so your first withdrawal is not held up.
  3. Deposit a small amount, play a little, and ask for a withdrawal before you deposit more.
  4. Set a deposit limit in your account before you play.
  5. 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.

B.C. and the other provinces

ProvincePrivate online casinosProvincial siteAge
OntarioYes, registered with AGCO + iGaming OntarioPlayOLG19
British ColumbiaNoPlayNow19
AlbertaRegulated market (AGLC)PlayAlberta18
QuebecNoLoto-Québec18
ManitobaNoPlayNow18
SaskatchewanNoPlayNow19
New BrunswickNoAtlantic Lottery19
Nova ScotiaNoAtlantic Lottery19
Prince Edward IslandNoAtlantic Lottery19
Newfoundland and LabradorNoAtlantic Lottery19

FAQ

Is PlayNow the only legal online casino in B.C.?

Yes. The Government of British Columbia lists PlayNow.com as the only legal online gambling site in the province.


Will B.C. open a market for private online casinos like Ontario?

The province has not announced one. The 2026 Gaming Control Act modernised the regulator but did not create licences for private online casinos.


Is it illegal for me to play on an offshore site from B.C.?

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 B.C. protection.


What is the gambling age in B.C.?

19, for casinos, lottery, online play and charitable gaming.


Are my PlayNow winnings taxed?

For recreational players, gambling winnings are generally not taxable in Canada. Interest you earn on them is. See gambling winnings and tax.

Sources

Before you play

Are you 19 or older? Demos use play money. You can't win or deposit real money here.