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BC Online Casino Guide For 2024
If you want to know what is the best online casino for BC residents in 2024, you've landed in the right place. We're the #1 trusted review and comparison site for all the best gambling sites for Canadian players in 2024. You'll find everything you need to know about gambling at BC online casinos as well as the best international casinos that allow you to play for real money legally.
We also have a page dedicated to legal gambling in Canada where you can find out more about no risk matched betting and the laws as they apply to Canadian residents. Our guides have been created by experts in the field and will help you to avoid scams and fraudulent sites and believe us. There are plenty of scams out there and can start by checking out a site to see if it has an operating licence.
The BCLC is responsible for overseeing gambling in British Columbia and the province's official site is named PlayNow. This site isn't the only licensed and regulated gambling site for BC players to play at. There are plenty of top-rated international casinos sites in 2024 that accept Canadian players. The best BC online casino sites offer toll-free support numbers, software in both English and French, the ability to play in CAD, banking options like Interac, fair gaming, and the best bonuses and promotions.
These international companies typically offer more attractive promotions, more frequent bonus codes, and offer a wider selection of games from leading software providers like NetEnt, Microgaming, and Playtech. They also offer fast payouts and the most popular 2024 banking methods including e-wallets like PayPal, Instadebit, and Interac. Please note, however, that the payment methods can vary and that some of the best sites function in other currencies - not just CAD.
British Columbia Gambling Facts
- The BCLC is responsible for overseeing all gambling in British Columbia and their official provincially run BC online casino is PlayNow.
- PlayNow is only available to residents in the province of British Columbia although residents in Manitoba are also allowed access.
- It is not illegal to play real money games at international sites that allow Canadian players.
- PlayNow casino is not the only option available to BC residents looking for a BC online casino to play at.
Best Online Casinos to Play at For BC Players
If you're looking for a Canada approved real money online casino, there are lots to choose from. We only list the best BC online casino and our in-depth casino reviews cover everything you need to know. Whether you are looking for the best bonuses and promotions, the best slots to play, live dealer casinos, video poker, weekly tournaments, or huge progressive jackpots, you'll find the best sites in our top 10 lists.
Our expert rated reviews look at everything from the software providers used, the reputation the operator has, mobile optimization, Canada friendly banking options, and more. Check out our 2024 reviews to find the best online casino accepting BC residents today and play the best real money games with no download on mobiles like iPhone and Android devices like Samsung and Google, or use your iPad or Android tablet once connected to the internet. Take a look at our reviews today and find the online casino in BC that is right for you. Below is our list of top real cash BC online casinos.
Legal Gambling in British Columbia
Many people wonder is betting legal in Canada. There is a long history of gambling in Canada and it was back in 1892 that a complete ban on all gambling except for horse racing was introduced. This became part of the Canadian Criminal Code which has been amended over the years to slowly remove the ban on gambling. An amendment to the Criminal Code in 1969 saw the federal government and the individual provinces being allowed to operate lottery schemes. These were games of chance and they brought about the soaring popularity in lotteries.
In 2002, the Gaming Control Act was drafted to focus on minors. With its enforcement, the sale of lottery products or the participation in casino or bingo games by those under the legal age became an offence that was punishable by a fine. To enforce this law, all casino sites operating in BC can be expected to apply the necessary identity checks. While these might not be completed initially, they should always be imposed before a withdrawal can be processed.
In 2010, BCLC launched the PlayNow casino website where BC residents could purchase lottery products online. PlayNow became the first legally run provincial online casino in Canada offering regulated casino games such as slots, bingo, blackjack, and roulette. In 2012, they extended their reach to include the Manitoba Lottery Commission (MLC) so that provincial residents could partake in legal provincially licensed online casino games. Only residents of the provinces (and those residing in Manitoba) can create an account to play real money keno, bingo, live poker, casino games, and you can purchase lottery tickets.
In 2016, BCLC partnered with OpenBet and Sports Pools were introduced at PlayNow. This is a great way to get in on some sports betting action without having to know all about odds. You can bet on horse racing, NHL, NBA, and enjoy spread betting. Betting on single sporting events is still prohibited and parlay bets are the main option and this is why many choose offshore online bookmakers in 2024 for no risk matched betting and the best odds. The best online casinos of BC are willing to get competitive.
Responsible gaming is hugely important in the province of British Columbia and is something that is taken very seriously by the BCLC organisation. Their programs have received recognition from the World Lottery Association (WLA) and all those who play at the PlayNow site can be assured of the best practices as well as the best games. Remember internet gambling should always be for fun and not a way to get rich quickly.
Sports Betting in BC
British Columbia is home to the Vancouver Canucks and the BC Lions and has hosted the Olympics. BC sports betting services aren't great though and this is why many choose online sportsbooks with better odds and single bet options. Residents need to be over the age of 19 with a functional email address and a BC postal address to bet on sports. Betting on single events in BC is not legal but it is on the cards with the C-218 Bill now entering the senate after passing a third read in April 2021.
Legal sports betting for BC players is available through PlayNow.com using Sports Action and Proline. There are six betting games which are Oddset 3-Outcome, Oddset 2-Outcome, Point Spread, Over/Under, Toto, and Props. The Oddsets allow parlay bets on two to six events and wagers range from $2 to $100. Over/Under bets offer parlays from two to ten events. Point Spread allows wagers on two to twelve events. Toto and Props are wagers on 11 to 13 games and the winner gets a share of the prize pool. Live betting was recently added to the PlayNow site, but futures markets are not available. All the major sports are available including NFL, NHL, MBA, and CFL. You can bet on the Superbowl, The Kentucky Derby, The Masters (gold), World Cup of Hockey, MLB World Series, FIFA World Cup, and more.
Lottery has been legal and available since 1985 and players must be 19 or older to purchase a ticket. You can purchase tickets online via PlayNow with new jackpots every week including LOTTO MAX, Lotto 6/49, BC/49, and Daily Grand. Bingo is legal under charitable gaming and there are numerous bingo halls as well as online bingo games on PlayNow.
PlayNow - the Official Government Online Casino of BC
PlayNow is the official provincially-run BC welcoming online casino. It is for British Columbia and Manitoba residents only. Registering for an account means you can purchase lottery tickets as well as play keno, bingo games, casino games, enjoy live poker, and sports betting. You can play real money casino games like video slots with bonus rounds and features, blackjack, roulette, progressive jackpots, scratch cards, and arcade-style games.
There are more than 100 top-rated games included at this BC online casino from Spielo G2 (GTECH) along with slots from WMS which include popular titles like Wizard of Oz and Zeus, both of which come with superb bonus rounds. The government regulated site is safe and legal for BC residents to play at. It adheres to all federal and provincial laws and has featured in the media on numerous occasions, appearing on Canadian TV and radio shows. The site continues to grow and is a great place for BC to play real money games.
Is it illegal to Use Other Sites besides PlayNow?
While PlayNow may be the official provincially-run British Colombia online casino, residents from British Columbia do have more options when it comes to playing real money games online. When compared with international brands that allow Canadian players, there is a big difference and many players still prefer to play at offshore sites because they offer the best bonuses and promotions and often a much greater selection of games. Outside of Canada and British Colombia, there's an even higher level of competition and this means that operators can make improvements for your benefit.
There is no Canadian law that states that gambling at international online casinos is illegal and with so many Canadian friendly online gambling sites available to choose from in 2024, BC residents can take their time and find the best mobile apps or desktop sites that suits their needs. Whether that's the ability to play the best slots from top brand software providers or getting the best free spins and no deposit cash bonuses for 2024, international sites have a lot going for them. What's more, they are completely legal and if you are looking for a BC online casino, be sure to check them out.
PlayNow vs International Casinos Online
PlayNow is the legal and provincially run site in British Columbia. It is for residents of BC and Manitoba only which means competition is limited as are the jackpot and bonuses offered. There are lots of licensed and regulated international gambling sites that accept players from British Columbia and the rest of Canada. These sites offer French and English speaking customer support, the ability to wager in CAD, and toll-free telephone numbers.
International casinos online accepting BC payers also tend to use software providers that are deemed to be the best of the best. This includes NetEnt, Microgaming, Playtech, and Betsoft. The software is fully optimized for all operating systems including PC, Mac, mobile, and tablet devices. This means you can enjoy all the real money action on the go on iPhone, iPad, and Android smartphones and tablets. You can even test things out with no registration. There are numerous advantages to choose international online casinos including those listed below.
- Best Game Selection: International online casinos accepting BC players have hundreds of games you can play including the best slots and table games and many also offer live casino tables where you can play against professional croupiers. Many also offer mobile casino apps as well as software that is available in download and no download instant play formats. You can play on any device once you have an internet connection. PlayNow is powered by Spielo G2 and offers slots from WMS but when compared to offshore casinos the number of games is minuscule. The best slots for 2024 tend to come from software providers like NetEnt and Microgaming which are not available on the provincially run PlayNow.
- Best Welcome Bonuses and Promotions: Bonuses are one of the best things about online gambling sites and they are often what encourages players to sign up for an account. PlayNow offers a small welcome bonus of 100% up to $100 whereas larger offshore BC friendly online casinos offer much larger welcome bonuses. They often offer game-specific promos to play with too such as free spins codes for slots, and live dealer cashback deals, special blackjack free chips codes, and no deposit rewards for existing British Columbian players too. Of course, you will find some of these promos offered at PlayNow, including free spins bonuses, but not as many.
- Best Progressive Jackpots: If you are looking to become an instant millionaire playing progressive jackpot games you might be disappointed with the PlayNow offering. The progressive jackpots you can play here are nowhere near as high as those offered at international gambling sites. This is because PlayNow can only be accessed by those who reside in BC or Manitoba meaning that the pool of players is much smaller which leads to much smaller progressive jackpots. The progressive jackpots you can play at the BCLC run PlayNow tend to reach around $250,000 whereas progressive slots at offshore sites like the Mega Moolah slot from Microgaming seeds at $1 million and often hits $5 million CAD or more before it's won.
British Columbia Favourite Casino Bonuses
BC online casino bonuses are great and there are so many different types to choose from. Whether you live in Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Surrey, Richmond, Burnaby or Prince George and are looking for the best BC friendly online casino to play at, there will be new promos available to take advantage of. They can include free no deposit bonus codes as well as deposit offers. They are available for both new and existing customers and are a great way to play some free games and keep what you win.
Knowing the difference between the different promotional offers is important and it helps you determine which site to play at. Below is a list of the different types of bonuses you can expect to find when gambling for real money online. These are available across at the best international BC approved online casinos as well as Ontario online casinos and sites that allow Canadian signups.
- No Deposit free money bonus: With this type of promo, there is no deposit required and you get to keep what you win up to a fixed amount. All you have to do is complete the registration form and login to get your free bonus. The free cash/chips can vary but tends to be between $10 and $25. They are usually reserved for new players and they allow you to play a variety of casino games with no risk. It's a great way to testing out new BC online casinos in 2024 and these no deposit codes can be claimed on mobile and desktop. There are terms and conditions including wagering requirements and what you can use your free money to play, but once you adhere to these, you will get to keep what you win up to the max cashout limit which is usually between $50 and $100. This is often considered the best casino bonus for new players and you can check out our list of 2024 no deposit bonus codes for more information.
- Free Spins: This is another type of no deposit offer that can be for both new and existing members to play slots. They are often attached to welcome packages or given as a reward when new slots are released. The free spins tend to be applied to a specific slot machine or a series of titles from a specific software and the number of spins you receive can vary. As a no deposit offer you might get up to 50 free spins and when you log in your free spins will be automatically added to your account. As part of a signup or welcome bonus, the number can be as high as $1000 CAD. They are a great way to try out new slots with no risk and the bet amount will be fixed. There are wagering requirements attached too but when you clear these you do get to keep what you win. You can also receive non-wagering spins with welcome packages and with these you can cash out your winnings straight away. For more info, be sure to see our 2024 BC online casino free spins codes for the best deals.
- Free Play/Free Time: This is a popular choice for new online gamblers because it lets them try out all the games on offer. It is reserved for new customers and when you complete the registration form you are given a large credit balance and one hour in which to play all the games. There are wagering requirements and you must meet these within the hour to request a payout. The maximum payout amount is capped and this is between $50 and $100. If you are a fan of table games the free play no deposit bonus is a great choice.
- First Deposit Bonus: This bonus is available at all BC online casinos and is available when you first fund your account. It tends to be a percentage match up to a fixed amount. For example, 100% up to $200. This will mean your initial deposit is doubled. There are wagering requirements attached but these tend to be much lower than those applied to no deposit offers. They are a great way to boost your bankroll and we list the best 2024 signup offers to help you get started. We even have exclusive $1 minimum deposit bonus deals.
- Welcome Package: More popular than ever, the welcome package is again for new players and is a large promotional amount spread out over your first number of deposits at the site. They can come with free spins and the more you deposit and play the more free cash you can claim. For example, you might see a $5,000 Welcome Bonus is offered and this can be broken down over your first 5 deposits. With your first deposit, you might get a 150% match up to $1000 bonus followed by a 75% match up to another $1000 free on your second deposit. Your third might be 50% up to $2,000 and your fourth deposit a 100% match up to $1,000. This gives you the chance to get $5,000 in casino promo money. If the welcome package comes with free spins you will find that a specific number of spins are added with each deposit you make too. There are terms and conditions and wagering requirements that must be met before you can withdraw your winnings. Check out the best 2024 welcome packages at the best Canada casinos to get started.
- High Roller: Those that like to play with a bigger bankroll are certainly not forgotten at online casinos accepting BC players. The high roller special offers are for new players that like to make deposits of $1,000 or more and they receive a bigger offer when they do. There are terms and conditions but if you like betting with larger amounts our 2024 high roller deals are for you.
- Reloads: Reloads are match deposit offers for existing customers and although they may not be as large as first deposit signup bonuses, they are a great way to boost your bankroll with every deposit you make. There are usually special reload offers for all the games you like to play and many of these can be claimed more than once. Be sure to signup for the free newsletter offered by gambling sites so you can make sure you always receive the best promotions.
- Cashback: This is another regular player offer and is a great way to recoup some of your losses when you play for real money. The best online casinos for BC players offer weekly or monthly cashback rewards. They are a percentage amount usually between 10% and 20% and to receive them you will need to have made a deposit in the previous week/month. If this type of offer appeals to you, be sure to check out our 2024 best cashback rewards for more information.
British Columbia Legal Gambling Frequently Asked Questions
Our expert review team has years of experience in the online gambling industry and has put together a list of all the frequently asked questions we receive about online casinos for Canada. There are things that potential players need to be aware of when it comes to legal gambling and we have that information listed below. If there is a question you would like answered be sure to get in touch and we will add it to our list.
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Can I enjoy legal real money gambling in BC?
Yes, of course, you can and there are plenty of choices. You can choose from the government-run PlayNow online casino or one of the many licensed and regulated top international sites that also allow players from Victoria, Vancouver, Prince George, Kelowna, Surrey, Richmond, Burnaby and all parts of British Columbia. Many people ask is betting legal in Canada and the answer is yes. There is no law that states that online gambling is illegal in Canada and we share online the best bonuses and gambling sites to play at for 2024. -
Do I have to choose PlayNow if I reside in British Columbia?
PlayNow is the only official, legal BC online casino licensed by the province but there is no specific Canadian or BC law that explicitly states that placing real money bets at an international online casino is illegal. You can choose from any licensed and regulated site that accepts players from Canada and our 2024 best real money sites for Canada can help you find the most trusted and best place to play. -
Do I have to live in BC to place real money wagers at PlayNow?
Yes, you must be a resident in BC or Manitoba if you want to play for real money at this provincially run online casino. You can, of course, opt to play at one of the 2024 best international offshore licensed and regulated sites and our 2024 top ten best lists can help you find the best one for you. -
Are there any benefits to playing at an international site?
There are lots of advantages in 2024. These include the best game selection, best mobile sites, the best choice of no deposit offers, free spins, and free play options, VIP programs, larger jackpots and the best slots with massive progressive jackpots. The choice is entirely yours and it should be noted that gambling in Canada is tax-free so you don't have to pay taxes on your winnings either. -
What about deposits and withdrawals?
When you play for real money in 2024, safe deposits and withdrawals are a must. All the best sites use SSL encryption which keeps your financial data safe and secure. There is a range of banking methods for everyone including popular e-wallets like PayPal and Neteller. The best sites make it easy for Canadian players with the best Canada friendly banking options including credit and debit cards, Instadebit, Interac, and eCheck. They also allow you to deposit and withdraw in Canadian dollars, so you don't have to worry about exchange rates or exchange fees. Find out what the best payment methods are for Canadian gamblers in 2024 by visiting our payment methods page. -
Does PlayNow have a free fun play option?
Unfortunately, there isn't a free fun play option available at the PlayNow BC online casino. This is a shame as being able to play the games with no risk using demo modes is a great way to see whether you want to play for real money or not. It also lets you see how the software works. The good news is that the best international casinos offer the free play option so you can play demo versions of the best titles on mobile or desktop with no registration required at some sites. You play with free casino credits before registering for a real player account or making a deposit. If you'd like to win real money without risk you can take a look at our 2024 best no deposit codes that we share online and our exclusive deals for our readers on our no deposit page. Our special $1 minimum deposit offers are great too. -
What is the best online casino to play at?
The best site for 2024 will be the one that lets you play what you want to play as well as offering the promos you want to claim. All the 2024 sites we list are the best of the best, fully licensed and regulated, and they all accept Canadian gamblers. Be sure to read our #1 rated reviews for 2024.