In British Columbia, players have a pretty wide choice of casino sites to play at. On this page, you will find the best BC online casino platforms that offer the most games and the best bonuses. Check out this guide to learn the details of the online gambling industry in BC. But first, we suggest you look through some of the top online casino sites for BC players. If any of them interests you a bit more than the others, read its review or get straight ahead to the official website by clicking on the “Play Now” button.
BC Online Casino Sites
These are just a few reputable online casinos that accept players from British Columbia. If you want to try something different, go to our casino reviews page to learn about hundreds of Canadian online casinos.
All our recommended sites are international, meaning they are located offshore and offer their services to players around the world. BC players can legally play on international gambling sites and win real money.
These offshore gambling operators typically offer more online games and more attractive bonuses and promotions. Players can deposit and withdraw in CAD using some of the most popular and secure banking methods, such as banking cards, e-wallets, online banking services, and even prepaid cards.
Gambling in British Columbia
Gambling in Canada has a long history. It started back in 1892 when all gambling activities except for horse racing were prohibited. However, the Canadian Criminal Code has been amended over the years, and already in 1969, the federal government allowed individual provinces to operate lotteries. These games of chance became very popular back then, and they remain so nowadays.
In 2002, the focus of the Gaming Control Act was made on minors. So the act of selling lottery tickets to minors and participating of minors in bingo and casino games was punishable by a fine. This is when BC casinos began applying identity checks.
Since gambling in British Columbia is controlled by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), it launched its own casino website called PlayNow in 2010. This website became the first Canadian online casino legally operated by the provincial government. PlayNow offers different games such as slots, keno, blackjack, bingo, poker, roulette, and lotteries.
In two years after that, the corporation extended the website to include the Manitoba Lottery Commission (MLC). It means that PlayNow accepts all residents of BC and Manitoba.
In 2016, BCLC’s online casino began offering sports betting to players. It was available due to the partnership with Sports Pools and OpenBet. Thus, PlayNow sportsbook offers odds on some of the most popular sports such as horse racing, hockey, basketball, football, etc. However, if you are a professional bettor, then you will have more betting options at offshore online sportsbooks.
BCLC is very serious about responsible gambling. Their programs were recognised by the World Lottery Association (WLA), so all PlayNow players can be assured that they will stay safe and under control. After all, gambling is made for fun, not for making a fortune overnight.
BC Gambling Facts
- British Columbia Lottery Corporation regulates all gambling, including casino venues, bookmakers, and onlines casinos in the province.
- The official BC online casino is PlayNow.
- PlayNow accepts residents in British Columbia and Manitoba.
- BC players can legally play on international casino sites.
- BC players can choose from hundreds of online casinos, including PlayNow and international gambling websites.
Sports Betting in British Columbia
Sports betting online services aren’t that great in BC, which is why many bettors choose offshore sites as they offer not only better odds but also single bet options. However, thanks to Bill C-218, single event sports betting is now allowed across Canada, including British Columbia.
The major sports available on all online sportsbooks are NHL, NFL, MBA, and CFL. Besides, you can place bets on Superbowl, World Cup of Hockey, FIFA World Cup, The Kentucky Derby, and more.
PlayNow & International Casinos
PlayNow is the official BC online casino run by the provincial government. When you register with PlayNow, you can purchase lottery tickets online and play different games such as bingo, keno, slots, live poker, RNG-based table games, and bet on sports. You can also try and hit a progressive jackpot when playing featured games.
PlayNow offers more than 100 online casino games, including some popular titles like Wizard of Oz and Zeus. If you choose to play at PlayNow, you can be sure it’s safe and legal.
Nevertheless, it doesn’t mean that international online casinos are not safe and illegal. They are absolutely safe for BC players. However, one should also understand that there are many scams on the internet. And there is a high risk of being fooled by scam casinos. This is why BC players must choose online casinos very carefully.
Some of the best international casino brands are N1 Casino, PlayAmo, Captain Spins, JackpotCity, Wildz, LeoVegas, and others. In fact, many Canadian players prefer international casinos to provincial websites because they offer a wider game selection and more enticing bonuses.
So it’s just a matter of taste of each individual player. Some would rather be 100% safe playing national lotteries and games available at PlayNow, while others prefer a big variety of games, a choice of bonuses, and so on.
Where to Gamble Online in British Columbia
BC players really have a lot of options to gamble. If you don’t want to travel to the nearest local casino club, then you can stay home and launch a casino site on your desktop. Besides, you can try playing casino games on mobile devices wherever you are at the moment. Most international online casinos are compatible with smartphones and tablets, which is why mobile-user experience will be just the same as the desktop one.
Choose a BC online casino according to your preferences. It can be the official provincial casino site, or it can be an international gambling platform. If you can’t decide, check them all and see which suits you better. All in all, both types of casinos offer numerous games to win real money.
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