🇨🇦 CA
Gambling licensing in Canada — British Columbia
BCLC runs PlayNow.com, the only legal online gambling site in British Columbia, offering casino, sports betting, poker, bingo and lottery. No private operators are licensed.
Information reviewed: 26 September 2026
Regulator and legal framework
- Regulator
- British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC); regulated by the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch Visit official website
- Primary framework
- Gaming Control Act (British Columbia), 2002
- Minimum age
- 19
Licence categories
- Crown operation by BCLC only
Key licensee requirements
- All legal online gambling is run by BCLC through PlayNow.com
- Private operators are not licensed to offer online gambling to residents
- Offshore sites serving residents are unregulated in the province
Legislation and standards
Criminal Code of Canada, s.207
Only a province may conduct and manage a lottery scheme, including online gambling; private operators may take part only under provincial authority.
Safer and Regulated Sports Betting Act 2021 (Bill C-218)
Removed the federal ban on single-event sports betting from 27 August 2021.
Gaming Control Act, 2002 (BC)
Gives BCLC responsibility for conducting and managing commercial gambling, including online.