Online in BC
Online gambling in BC, explained
In British Columbia, PlayNow.com is the only legal online gambling site, and the provincial regulator advises the public to play only there. This guide takes no bets, and only its home page carries paid links, marked Ad, to a private online casino.
By the Ledger Desk · Checked October 7 and 8, 2026
What the law says
In British Columbia, gambling is legal only when the provincial government runs it. BCLC manages all commercial gambling for the government, casinos and online gambling included. It is a Crown corporation, incorporated in 1984. PlayNow.com is the only legal online gambling site in the province.
Since April 13, 2026, the Independent Gambling Control Office (IGCO) has been the province's gambling regulator. On August 28, 2026, it said that every other online gambling site letting BC players in operates illegally in the province. Its advice to the public is to play only on PlayNow.com.
BCLC's February 2026 service plan assumes BC's online market stays closed to private operators. In its June 2026 action plan, the IGCO said it will seek changes to the Gaming Control Act. The aim is to reduce the presence of unregulated online operators in BC.
PlayNow and self-exclusion
PlayNow is BCLC's online and mobile channel. It offers lottery, sports betting, slots, table games and bingo. Players must be 19 or older, online as in a casino.
Game Break is BC's voluntary self-exclusion program, with terms of 6 months, 1 year, 2 years or 3 years. A person who excludes themselves from a BC gambling facility is also excluded from PlayNow.com for the same period.
That link has limits. Under the Gaming Control Act, online gaming means play on BCLC's own platform, PlayNow. A Game Break agreement covers that platform and not other online sites.
Questions
Which online gambling site is legal in British Columbia?
PlayNow.com is the only legal online gambling site in British Columbia. It is BCLC's online and mobile channel, and the IGCO advises the public to play only on PlayNow.com.
Does a Game Break agreement cover other online sites?
No, a Game Break agreement does not reach other sites. Under the Gaming Control Act, online gaming means play on BCLC's own platform, PlayNow. The agreement covers that platform and not other online sites.
Do the inner pages of this guide carry paid links?
No, only the home page carries paid links, each marked Ad. Links to casinos, operators, owners, BCLC, the province and help services are never paid, on any page of the guide.