Online Casinos in British Columbia: PlayNow, BCLC and Legal Options
PlayNow.com is the only legal online gambling site in British Columbia, according to the Province of B.C. The British Columbia Lottery Corporation conducts and manages PlayNow for the province. Other casino sites may be reachable from B.C., but they are not authorized or regulated by the province.
B.C. online casino rules at a glance
- Locally authorized platform: PlayNow.com.
- Operator: British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), a provincial Crown corporation.
- Regulatory oversight: the Independent Gambling Control Office (IGCO).
- Minimum age: 19 for online gambling in B.C.
- Private competitive market: B.C. has not opened an Ontario- or Alberta-style private iGaming market.
Official reference: Gambling in B.C. — Province of British Columbia.
How PlayNow and BCLC fit together
BCLC conducts and manages commercial gambling for the provincial government, including PlayNow. The platform includes lottery, casino, live casino, poker, bingo, keno and sports products. BCLC says PlayNow is the only fully legal and regulated gambling website in B.C. and that its profits return to the province.
This structure matters to players because the site is subject to provincial technical, identity, anti-money-laundering and responsible-gambling requirements. A private international site can offer similar-looking games without being part of that B.C. system.
Official reference: BCLC online gambling overview.
Who regulates online gambling in B.C.?
B.C.’s new Gaming Control Act came into force on April 13, 2026 and established the Independent Gambling Control Office as the independent regulator. IGCO oversees gambling integrity and compliance, while BCLC remains the organization that conducts and manages PlayNow.
The province also requires online player-protection measures. Its Problem Gambling Regulation includes account restrictions for minors and self-excluded people, deposit, loss and time limit tools, short-term breaks, activity summaries and risk information.
Official references: B.C. government action on gambling oversight and B.C. Problem Gambling Regulation.
What about offshore and international casinos?
The provincial government is explicit that PlayNow is the only legal online gambling site in B.C. It describes other online gambling websites as operating outside B.C.’s regulated system. A foreign or Kahnawà:ke licence may be relevant to the operator’s status in that jurisdiction, but it is not B.C. authorization.
Do not use site accessibility as a legal test. The same warning applies to Canadian dollars, Interac, a “Canada” page or national advertising. If local authorization and a B.C. complaint route matter to you, verify the site through the provincial government or BCLC.
How to verify the real PlayNow site
- Start at the Province of B.C. or BCLC website and follow its PlayNow link.
- Check that the domain is playnow.com before entering personal or banking details.
- Do not install an app from a social advertisement. BCLC has warned about fake ads and apps impersonating B.C. casinos.
- Review account, identity, geolocation and payment requirements before depositing.
- Set deposit, loss and time limits while the account is new—not after a problem develops.
Official scam warning: BCLC warning about deceptive online casino scams.
B.C. compared with Ontario and Alberta
| Province | Market model | Official verification |
|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | Single provincial platform operated by BCLC | Province of B.C. / PlayNow |
| Ontario | OLG.ca plus registered private operators | iGaming Ontario directory |
| Alberta | PlayAlberta plus registered private operators since July 2026 | Alberta iGaming Corporation directory |
Read our Ontario guide, Alberta guide or the full Canadian online casino legality guide.
FAQ
What is the legal online casino in British Columbia?
PlayNow.com is the only legal online gambling site in B.C., according to the provincial government.
How old do you need to be to gamble online in B.C.?
You must be 19 or older.
Are online casino winnings taxable in B.C.?
Recreational gambling winnings are generally not taxable in Canada. Business-like gambling activity and income earned after a win can be treated differently; consult the CRA guidance or a tax professional.
Are offshore casinos regulated by B.C.?
No. Other sites may hold licences elsewhere, but they are not part of B.C.’s regulated gambling system.
Will B.C. open a private market like Ontario or Alberta?
B.C. has not announced an open private-operator model. Check provincial sources for any future policy change.
19+ · Play responsibly: B.C. residents can use provincial limit-setting and self-exclusion tools. Gambling Supports BC provides free support if gambling is causing harm.