Every year, many people visit some of Canada’s most well-known casinos like Casino Niagara, Caesars Windsor and Hard Rock Casino Vancouver. However, many visitors may not know that Canada’s gambling scene is much more regulated in 2025 than it was just a few years ago thanks to new laws, tighter oversight and enhanced protection measures. British Columbia (B.C.) in Canada has its own rules for gambling and has undergone major reforms in the past several years. In this context, let’s profile the various laws and regulations in B.C. with regards to gambling.
Overview of Gambling in Canada
In Canada, more people are taking an interest in casino activities, partially due to the rise of virtual casino platforms which allow people to engage in gambling games from their mobile device. In fact, online gambling revenue is expected to increase from $469 million to $576 million over the next five years. In Canada, gambling regulation is dealt with at a provincial level meaning that every province makes a decision on if a casino is legal and how they are run. This differs from the United States, where regulation is mainly at the state level. For Canadians, gambling is legal only through provincially licensed casinos, lotteries, sports betting and online platforms, while unlicensed or offshore gambling operators are illegal. The minimum gambling age is either 18 or 19 according to the province. For example, in Alberta and Quebec it’s 18 whereas in B.C. and Ontario it’s 19.
Gambling Rules and Regulations in B.C.
Today, activities like buying lottery tickets, playing casino games, online gambling, and betting on horse races is legal in B.C. However, gambling was not always legal here. Before the 1970s, gambling activities were prohibited under Canada’s Criminal Code. This meant that only minor gatherings like bingo and raffles were permitted. In the past few decades, legalised gambling has been introduced. For example, in 1974 the first provincial lottery launched and in the 1980s, provinces were administered full control over gambling. Slot machines arrived on the scene in B.C. in 1998 and online gambling became possible in 2004 through the British Columbia Lottery Corporation.
In B.C., it’s fully legal to gamble at a land-based venue. This is regulated by the BC Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch and operated through government-run casinos and lottery outlets, such as River Rock Casino in Richmond and Hard Rock Casino in Vancouver. Horse racing is also fully legal and is regulated by the British Columbia Racing Commission, which has a duty to guarantee fairness, oversee licensing and oversee all betting activities at racetracks and online. This is similar to many other provinces in Canada, such as Ontario, Alberta and Quebec, which each have their own racing commissions.
In terms of online gambling in B.C., there are many rules to ensure players are of legal age, games are fair, funds are secure and responsible gambling safeguards are in place. Online gambling in British Columbia is managed exclusively through PlayNow, a government-run platform offering casino games, sports betting, and lottery products. Although PlayNow is the only locally licensed site, bettors can also access offshore sites, as there are no laws against doing so. This has created a grey area where players aren’t technically breaking the law, but the sites they use aren’t properly regulated or protected.
The Future of Gambling in B.C
At the moment, online gambling in B.C. isn’t fully open because only the PlayNow site is legally allowed to operate. At the same time, private operators and offshore sites aren’t officially regulated. This contrasts with Ontario which has a more relaxed approach, permitting multiple licensed private operators to provide online casinos and sportsbooks. Although there is no official date when this will change, there are ongoing discussions aimed at reforming online gambling regulations in the province. Private operators and industry groups are pushing for a more competitive market akin to Ontario’s which could enhance legal options for players. The B.C. government has confirmed that there are no current plans to change the system due to their focus on revenue concerns and the potential impact of increased gambling advertising on citizens.
Ultimately, the gambling scene in Canada has gone through many changes in the past few years in terms of accessibility, regulation and legalisation. In B.C. in particular, it’s possible to gamble online through PlayNow, engage in horserace betting, purchase lottery tickets and play casino-style games at various brick-and-mortar venues across the province. So, the next time you find yourself in B.C. and you are over the age of 19, you can try out some casino games for yourself. If not, you always have the option of playing casino games online from your home.
Comments are closed