Best BC Gambling Sites: Licensed Casinos And Sportsbooks For British Columbia

Player Beware GambleAware 18+ Only
Amanda Evans Reviewed by Amanda Evans
Updated: Sat. Aug 02, 2025 9 Minute Read

The selection of BC gambling sites may seem a little restrictive for players living in the province. That's because the British Columbia government hasn't launched a fully-fledged online casino market akin to the one in Ontario just yet.

In 2004, PlayNow.com was launched in BC. To date, PlayNow remains the only fully-regulated online gambling site in the province, offering both an online casino and a sportsbook product.

The interest of players in British Columbia in online gambling is exhibited in close to a million PlayNow accounts[1], all overseen by BCLC, which acts as the governing body for all online gambling in the province.

Despite having more than 20 brick-and-mortar casinos and a gambling market worth billions a year, British Columbia remains restrictive in terms of online casinos. The government appears to be watching the developments in Ontario and other provinces[2], with further expansion of the BC online casino market also coming in the future.

Aside from the licensed PlayNow platform, BC players can also play at sites licensed in offshore locations like Curacao, Anjouan, and Kahnawake. Such operators may offer a large selection of games and other perks, but are not nearly as secure to play at.

Our Verdict:

Casino and sportsbook players in British Columbia have limited options when it comes to licensed BC gambling sites they can play at. A wider selection of offshore gambling sites is available, but such sites must be approached with care, as the lack of local licenses means potential dangers for the players.

Keep on reading to find out more about BC online gambling options and the advantages of the different sites on offer.

Top 10 Gambling Sites Reviewed For BC Players in 2025

Players in BC can play at dozens of gambling sites, including many offshore gaming platforms. To help you choose the best sites, we have reviewed the 10 best gambling sites in BC in detail. Check out the reviews below for more information on each site.

Are Gambling Sites Legal in British Columbia?

Online gambling is not illegal in BC, but it is highly restricted. To date, the provincial government has only issued a single gaming license to PlayNow, which has been operating since 2004. This has created a monopoly of sorts, as PlayNow remains the only fully legal option for players looking to play online casino games or bet on sports.

However, players in BC can also access many of the offshore online casino sites for Canada, which are regulated by regulators in offshore locations. Such sites are not licensed in BC, but the provincial government doesn't have any jurisdiction over them either, which means the gray market continues to operate, giving players some extra options beyond PlayNow.

Games & Software Providers - Great Selection of International Studios

Casino games at the best BC gambling sites are powered by some of the world's best software providers. While PlayNow only offers games from Novomatic, IGT, and Lightning Box, offshore operators have a much wider selection of games. At sites like Tonybet and BC.Game, you will find thousands of slots, table games, and live casino games powered by companies like Pragmatic Play, Playtech, Play 'n GO, Microgaming, NetEnt, and dozens of other large and smaller software studios.

Sports to Bet On - Gamble on Your Favorite Teams

Sports bettors in BC can look forward to a great selection of betting options at both the provincial betting site and the offshore bookmakers like Cloudbet. Major leagues where Canadian teams compete such as the NHL, NFL, and MLB are all fully available. Beyond those, you can place bets on international sporting events, ranging from golf and tennis tournaments to the Champions League, FIFA World Cup, and countless other tournaments across dozens of sports on all continents.

How We Rate BC Gambling Sites - More Than Just Games & Bonuses

Our rating process for BC gambling sites is detailed and includes many different criteria. Keep reading and find out exactly how we rate casino and sports betting sites.

Player Beware: Offshore Sites Aren't in Provincial Jurisdiction

Last Updated: Sat. Aug 02, 2025

The regulatory framework for online gambling in British Columbia is slightly awkward[3]. While online gambling isn't illegal, only one site holds a gaming license in the state. PlayNow has a limited number of casino games and less than competitive betting odds, which often drives players to play at offshore sites.

However, it is important to note that offshore gaming platforms like Robocat and Monro Casino aren't regulated in BC. This means that any disputes you may have with them can only be resolved by the offshore regulators, which aren't always as helpful as provincial regulators. If you decide to play on offshore sites, be ready to accept full accountability for any missing funds, payout delays, and other issues.

Pros/Cons of Playing at Online Gambling Sites in BC

Playing at BC gambling sites comes with its upsides and downsides. Here is a quick rundown of the most important ones.

British Columbia Teams and Sports Betting Partners

If you live in BC, you are probably a supporter of one of the local sports teams. It is interesting to note that many of the teams have sports betting partners, with quite a few of them partnering up with PlayNow.com, the only regulated site in the province. Here is a quick rundown:

Play Responsibly at BG Gambling Sites - Use The RG Tools

Casino games and sportsbooks are meant to be entertainment, but gambling can cause addictions. If you or anyone you know has problems controlling their gambling behavior, there are steps you can take to fix things.

BCLC (the BC gaming regulator) offers useful information on the subject of responsible gambling via its Player Health website, along with the BCLC Game Break Program. The Game Break Program allows you to self-exclude from play, effectively stopping you from playing at PlayNow.

If you happen to be playing at an offshore site, you may still be able to self-exclude via the platform's standalone self-exclusion tool, but the Game Break Program won't exclude you from play at such sites. Other useful websites to help with gambling addiction include GameSense, and Here to Help BC, which hold more information and tools promoting responsible gambling.

Sources

  1. PLAYNOW.COM IN B.C - bclc.com
  2. Online Gambling in Canada: Will BC follow Ontario's footsteps towards legality? - vancouverguardian.com
  3. Gambling licence in British Columbia 2025 - rue.ee
 Amanda Evans
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Amanda Evans - Chief Editor

Amanda has been involved with all aspects of the content creation at Top10Casinos.com including research, planning, writing and editing. The dynamic environment has kept her engaged and continually learning which along with 18+ years iGaming experience helped propel her into the Chief Editor role.

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