British Columbia online casinos offer Canadian player a wide range of different games, minimum deposits and fast withdrawals. If you want to find a top
Canadian casino
for British Columbia gamblers, read our review below to gain some insight to guide you to your next step!
The below updated list provides the top recommended casinos. All casinos are licensed and regulated by worldwide trusted jurisdictions.
British Columbia is home to more than 40 casinos and 2 racetracks. Besides the 4 First Nation tribal casinos, the rest are owned by private or public partnerships, including companies like the Great Canadian Gaming and Gateway Casino & Entertainment, and the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) which is completely owned by the government of British Columbia. Lottery is considered very popular within this province with around 4,000 establishments where you can purchase a ticket and try your luck. From the revenue, the government collects around 40% of the total and divides it between non-profit community organisations and other worthy causes.
The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) is responsible for all casinos, lottery and online activity that takes place in the province of British Columbia. The government also has their own online casino site, PlayNow.com. Here one can find a variety of slots, poker, bingo as well as betting. When it comes to betting, one cannot bet on single sporting event as it is illegal. However, one can bet on the outcome of two or more events and non-sporting events.
The BCLC operates 17 land-based casinos, 19 gaming centres and 6 bingo halls. These are located all around the province, with some offering entertainment, accommodation and restaurant service. Some of the most popular land-based casinos in British Columbia include:
📍 Cascades Casino
📍 Elements Casino
📍 Grand Villa Casino
📍 Hard Rock Casino Vancouver
📍 Hastings Racecourse and Casino
📍 Parq Vancouver
📍 River Rock Casino Resort
📍 Starlight Casino
📍 Newton Community Gaming Centre
📍 Planet Bingo
📍 Playtime Langley
📍 Fraser Valley Casinos
📍 Vancouver Island
📍 Thompson Okanagan Valley
📍 St.Eugene Golf Resort and Casino
📍 Chances Castleger
📍 Northern BC
British Columbia History
1969
Criminal Code of Canada
The Criminal Code of Canada was amended, allowing provinces to regulate lotteries.
1974
Western Canada Lottery Corporation
The WCLC was formed by the union of British Columbia with Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, to enable people to participate in the lottery and other gambling games.
1985
British Columbia Lottery Corp (BCLC)
The British Columbia left the union and organize the BCLC, where they introduced new gambling activities.
1995
Keno
This was the year of Keno.
1997
Other Gambling Activities
This was the year of slot machines and other activities including online gambling.
2004
PlayNow.com
The BCLC launched the PlayNow.com site for players to enjoy lottery and sports betting.
2010
Online Poker
Online poker was introduced as well as other casino games.
Legislation in British Columbia
In Canada you will find a number of legislations that apply to online gambling. The Criminal Code of Canada governs all forms of gambling. Permission from the country was granted to all Canadian provinces to regulate the activity within their borders. British Columbia took control over all activity and tried their best to legalize everything. Nonetheless, the Criminal Code still kept a number of sectors within the grey area.
Gambling Laws
The gambling regulations of the British Columbia territory are set by British Columbia government, whereas the Criminal Code is responsible for the overall authority. Provided that online gambling is done via the British Columbia’s own website, it is considered legal. The BCLC can also deal with other provinces to allow other residents outside British Columbia to gamble at PlayNow.com. MrCasinova.com’s team listed below the most important information to know when it comes the legislation.
➡️ When gambling online in British Columbia, it is legal if you use the government’s platform PlayNow.com, you are over 19 years of age and if you are located in British Columbia or Manitoba.
➡️ If you want to play at offshore casinos, it is not considered illegal.
➡️ Given that the offshore casino is not directly targeting Canadians, they comply with the legislations of British Columbia, and are not located within Canada, they are not considered to be breaking any laws if they accept Canadians.
➡️ Players will not be subject to any penalties, only the operators of the casino sites.
Off-Shore Casinos
Offshore casinos have gained popularity with British Columbians. In return, this has decreased the revenue from their very own internet gambling portal, even though one can find some of the most popular games by high-end providers like NetEnt at PlayNow.com.
Although you will not find casinos that directly promote their services to Canadians since it is not legal, you will still be able to access many sites from British Columbia. If you are able to sign up and create an account, this means that the casino site accepts Canadian players. Moreover, offshore sites cannot be physically located in Canada. This does not affect the player, but it is good to know to always be as safe as possible when choosing an offshore casino. You should always make sure that:
✅ The casino is safe, secure and legal.
Make sure that the casino is license from one of the reputable jurisdictions around, including the UK Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority and the Government of Curacao. Also, make sure that the casino has encryption certifications.
✅ The casino offers efficient customer support.
Make sure to skim through the website before signing up and make sure that casino offers an informative FAQ section. Most reputable casinos will offer this section to make the players’ experience easier. Moreover, check their available contact support services including 24/7 live chat, email and telephone number.
✅ The casino is reputable and recommended by other players.
Make sure to read genuine reviews written by other players. This is an easy way to gain insight on whether the operators are trustworthy.
British Columbia Casinos FAQ
💡 What is the minimum gambling age in British Columbia?
The minimum age is that of 19 to gamble both online or on-land.
💡 Are player from British Columbia accepted at offshore casinos?
Yes! Many offshore
online casinos
accept players from British Columbia.
💡 Is it illegal to gamble online in British Columbia?
No, it is legal to gamble within British Columbia when playing at the BCLC’s official website, PlayNow.com. Also, there are no strict laws that state that you cannot play at offshore sites.
With years of experience in the gambling industry, Sarah is knowledgeable in the field of the casino world. She is responsible for most of the content that is written on MrCasinova and her main goal is to provide casino players with the best information and recommendations to help users enhance their experience. Recently, Sarah graduated with a Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing.
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