BC sports betting has been legal since August 27th, 2021, when single-game sports betting was decriminalized across Canada. BC bettors can now access a variety of safe and trustworthy sportsbooks, including the BCLC’s site PlayNow.com and over 35 grey-market private operators with an established Canadian presence. In this article, we explain your options for legal sports betting in BC, and cover the top BC sportsbooks available to you as of 2024.
- Vast Selection of Global Sports Odds
- Excellent Live Mobile Betting Platform
- Secure service – Licensed in Canada!
- The world's favourite sportsbook
- Provides action for nearly all international sports events.
- Safe, secure betting services and competitive lines.
- Vast Selection of Global Sports Odds
- Excellent Live Mobile Betting Platform
- Secure service – Licensed in Canada!
- The world's favourite sportsbook
- Provides action for nearly all international sports events.
- Safe, secure betting services and competitive lines.
Sports Betting BC: Quick Facts
| 📅 Legalization Date | August 27th, 2021 |
| ⚖️ Gaming Authority | British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) |
| 🔥 Regulated Market? | No, grey-market only |
| ✅ Popular Sportsbooks | bet365, Sports Interaction, BET99, Tonybet |
| ❌ Not Available In BC | BetMGM, Caesar’s, Betano, BetRivers |
| 👌 Legal sportsbooks? | PlayNow.com |
| 🔞 Legal Gambling Age | 19+ |
| 💳 Payment Options | Visa, Mastercard, Interac e-Transfer, PaySafeCard, Payz, Skrill, Wire Transfer, Bitcoin |
Is Sports Betting Legal In BC?
It is legal to bet on sports in British Columbia, both online and at in-person retail locations. Sportsbooks like bet365, Sports Interaction, and BetVictor operate within the Canadian grey-market: a legal, but unregulated system, which all Canadian provinces (except for Ontario) currently employ. For now, BC sports bettors can rest easy knowing they can legally wager at any of the books on our list!
Legal Sportsbooks: BCLC PlayNow.com
While sports betting and gambling are legal activities throughout British Columbia, bettors looking for strictly regulated books are limited to the somewhat lackluster sportsbook PlayNow.com, which is owned and operated by the BCLC provincial gaming authority. The serious limitations of PlayNow.com has bettors frequently looking elsewhere to wager on their favourite teams. Fortunately, with single-game betting now legalised across Canada, grey-market sportsbooks have introduced Canadian-focused betting sites–giving BC sports bettors a host of options to check out.
Best BC Sportsbooks & Betting Apps
The best British Columbia sportsbooks in 2024 are Sports Interaction, BetVictor, bet365, BET99, and TonyBet. These sites are all licensed and legal to operate in BC and across Canada. Without further ado, let’s go over the top BC sportsbooks and betting apps available to you right now.
1. Sports Interaction
Sports Interaction Canada regularly provides one of the best sports betting experiences across the country — and now it’s available for BC sports betting too. With one of the best welcome bonus offers available for residents of British Columbia (claim $250 at 125% deposit matching) and nearly every sports league under the sun, Sports Interaction consistently makes our list of the best sportsbooks Canada has to offer. BC bettors interested in a range of sports betting will find their home here, Sports Interaction offers everything from badminton, to chess, to MMA betting. Some other options at SIA include: football, basketball, hockey, baseball, tennis, soccer, boxing, cricket, darts, cycling, politics, formula 1, lacrosse — you name it.
Read Full Sports Interaction Review
| 📲 Mobile App | App Store | Google Play |
| 🎲 Casino | Normal and live casino |
| 💳 Payment Accepted | Visa, Mastercard, Interac e-Transfer, Apple Pay, Paysafecard, Wire Transfer |
| 🎧 Contact Support: | Live chat, ticket submission (email) |
| ⭐ Special Feature: | Part of Entain Group, one of the largest and most trustworthy betting companies globally. |
| ❌ What They Could Improve: | Sports Interaction hides certain features, such as changing odds format, behind a sign in wall. |
2. bet365
Bet365 is another top sportsbook that is legal to use in British Columbia. As one of the world’s leading online sportsbooks, bet365 Canada knocks it out of the park when it comes to competitive odds. As a sports bettor, you should always shop for odds before laying down your dollars. Sportsbooks undercut each other by offering better value for your bets, and bet365 should always be the benchmark for the best odds. Aside from odds, bet365 is another book with a huge range of leagues. Where they stand apart from the crowd is their live betting: bet365 has thousands of live odds at any given time, and they include live streaming to watch your favourite events in real-time.
| 📲 Mobile App | App Store | Google Play |
| 🎲 Casino | Normal and live casino |
| 💳 Payment Accepted | Visa, Mastercard, INSTADEBIT, Apple Pay, Paysafecard, Payz, click2pay, Wire Transfer |
| 🎧 Contact Support: | Live chat, or email at [email protected] |
| ⭐ Special Feature: | Live game streaming |
| ❌ What They Could Improve: | Must download a separate app to confirm your identity when placing a bet |
3. BetVictor
Last on our list but certainly not least, BetVictor is a true sportsbook veteran in the UK betting scene, and has had a significant impact on the sports betting world as it exists today. BetVictor is known for their exceptional sportsbook management, and they’ve brought that experience with them to their Canada-facing sportsbook. Aside from their history, BetVictor does a number of things right such as their primary focus on betting odds, and their very straight-forward user experience. All sports leagues are listed on the left navigation menu, with quick links to view your account, setting, and get help. Most sportsbooks hide these features in the footer, so we appreciate BetVictor’s focus on keeping things straightforward. BetVictor is another BC betting site that generally offers odds on any league you could hope for, and keeps up with their competitive odds. Overall a solid book that British Columbia bettors should check out!
| 📲 Mobile App | App Store | Google Play |
| 🎲 Casino | Normal and live casino |
| 💳 Payment Accepted | Interac, Visa, mastercard, PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, Paysafe, e-transfer, Mastercard, FastFunds |
| 🎧 Contact Support: | Live chat, email at [email protected], or by text at +44 7488 883406 |
| ⭐ Special Feature: | The only BC sportsbook to offer support via text |
| ❌ What They Could Improve: | Strange appearance — due for an update |
4. BET99
BET99 is Canada’s sportsbook, which by default makes it to our list of top BC betting sites. After rebranding to be ‘Canada’s Premiere Online Sportsbook and Casino’, BET99 has soared in popularity for being a true Canadian focused online betting site. Aside from its branding, BET99 brings high quality bets to the sports betting BC scene. With one of the largest menus of A-Z sports leagues, BET99 consistently exceeds our expectations in nearly every department. In particular, BET99 is known for partnering with Canadian athletes to promote their brand, and they do a great job of offering regular promotional offers to BC residents. Right now, BET99 is offering $1500 in first bet insurance, $10 in free bets when you wager $50, parlay insurance, and tons of casino offers.
| 📲 Mobile App | App Store | Google Play |
| 🎲 Casino | Normal and live casino |
| 💳 Payment Accepted | Interac, Interac Desjardins, Interac e-transfer, INSTADEBIT, Visa, MasterCard |
| 🎧 Contact Support: | Live chat, email at [email protected], submit a ticket |
| ⭐ Special Feature: | Frequent daily bet boosts for improved odds |
| ❌ What They Could Improve: | Only available in Canada — meaning no betting if you head down to Seattle to catch a game. |
5. TonyBet
Somewhat new to the Canadian betting world, TonyBet brings a fresh experience to BC sports betting. This UK-based sportsbook is well known across the pond, and has been highly successful so far in the expansion to Canada. TonyBet has so many cool features, it’s hard for us to fit it all in one review. To start, TonyBet is one of few BC sportsbooks to accept cryptocurrency — and eight cryptocurrencies at that. In addition, their live betting dashboard highlights odds in green (improved) or red (worsened) every time they change, so your odds won’t update without your knowledge. Lastly, every match at TonyBet includes stack up statistics for the two players involved. TonyBet does TONS of research for you so if you want to make a bet but want to check your own knowledge, they have lots of data you can compare against.
| 📲 Mobile App | App Store | No Android App Available |
| 🎲 Casino | Normal and live casino |
| 💳 Payment Accepted | Visa, Mastercard, Debit, Interac e-Transfer, INSTADEBIT, iDebit, Payz, MiFinity, Jeton, Astropay, MuchBetter, Paysafecard, Neosurf, Bitcoin, Cardano, Dogecoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, XRP, Tether USD, TRON |
| 🎧 Contact Support: | Live chat, or email at [email protected] |
| ⭐ Special Feature: | Provides past performance & win probability data for each match |
| ❌ What They Could Improve: | Confusing odds layout for new bettors |
6. NorthStar Bets
Another newcomer to the BC sports betting scene, NorthStar Bets was previously only available in Ontario. This year, they partnered with Spreads Casino and expanded their reach nationwide to include all Canadian provinces. Now, this BC sportsbook offers one of the best sports betting experiences around. NorthStar’s homepage features trending bets to choose from, in addition to hundreds more easy-to-find odds. At the time of writing, there are nearly 330 bets to choose from per event on NorthStar’s homepage. If you’re looking for prop bet selection, NorthStar Bets should be your new go-to book.
Read Full NorthStar Bets Review
| 📲 Mobile App | App Store | Google Play |
| 🎲 Casino | Normal and live casino |
| 💳 Payment Accepted | Visa, Mastercard, eCheck, iDebit, Interac, Instant Payments, and Payouts |
| 🎧 Contact Support: | Live chat, phone +1-855-218-7827, email at [email protected] |
| ⭐ Special Feature: | Large selection of TV & novelty betting options |
| ❌ What They Could Improve: | Slow loading speed on desktop |
7. Betway
Betway is a sportsbook veteran, and brings their long history of European sports betting to the BC sportsbook market. While we find their site a little busier than others (with a font that is a smidge too small), they make up for it with their impressively large selection of promotions and bonus offerings. For instance right now, BC residents can claim a $1 no-deposit free bet, double hockey winnings, moneyback specials on NFL bets, and so much more. In addition, Betway makes it easy to find the leagues you’re looking for with a full list of leagues on the left navigation menu, and live odds listed on the homepage.
| 📲 Mobile App | App Store | Google Play |
| 🎲 Casino | Normal and live casino |
| 💳 Payment Accepted | Interac e-Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Google Pay, MuchBetter, iDebit, Paysafecard, Neosurf, Payz, Flexepin |
| 🎧 Contact Support: | Go to FAQ > Scroll to bottom of an article > Select “yes” to “Do you need more help?” > Given the option to contact them. |
| ⭐ Special Feature: | Live cash out options for a ton of betting markets |
| ❌ What They Could Improve: | Very hard to get in touch with their support team |
8. Parimatch
Next up on our list is a Ukrainian-based sportsbook that has found it’s way to Canada, and is a cryptocurrency bettor’s dream. Parimatch Canada is only available in the non-regulated Canadian market (i.e. BC sports bettors can use it, Ontarians cannot), as they have yet to obtain an Ontario license. Thankfully, that doesn’t affect BC sports betting, and residents of British Columbia should definitely take a moment to check out this immensely popular book. Parimatch Canada is notably fun — they use a clean layout with a number of images which we find easy to navigate. Our only mark against them is they seem to have ditched variety when it comes to sports leagues. They currently only offer odds on the most popular sports such as baseball, basketball, hockey, MMA, tennis, and a few more. You certainly won’t find Gaelic sports, handball, winter sports, or even F1 at Parimatch. Ironically, they do offer e-sports, so if that’s your thing, you’re in luck!
| 📲 Mobile App | No betting app — mobile site only. |
| 🎲 Casino | Normal and live casino |
| 💳 Payment Accepted | Interac, Neosurf, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, Tether |
| 🎧 Contact Support: | Live chat, email at [email protected] |
| ⭐ Special Feature: | Accepts a large variety of cryptocurrency |
| ❌ What They Could Improve: | Very few sports league options |
How To Bet On Sports In British Columbia
There are two legal ways to bet on sports in British Columbia: through the BCLC, or through a private sportsbook. As we discussed earlier in this article, private sportsbooks are legally allowed in British Columbia, but they are unregulated. Conversely, bettors can bet at the government-run PlayNow.com by the BCLC.
Private BC Sportsbooks (Grey-Market)
Private sports betting companies in British Columbia operate legally in the grey-market. If given the chance, these private sportsbooks would prefer to gain a BC sports betting license and operate within a regulated market. Given most Canadian private sportsbooks are licensed in their home countries, they have no interest in operating illegally abroad. With no regulations in the market, these sportsbooks often find it difficult to accept e-transfers from Canadian banks, among other issues that come with being a foreign company. BC sports bettors who prefer to keep Canadian money in Canada may also prefer to bet with the BCLC — betting at a private sportsbook in BC has no impact on the Canadian economy, as these books do not pay taxes here.
As far as safety and reputation go, these private sportsbooks have deservedly earned the trust of the Canadian public. That’s not to say there aren’t books out there that are blacklisted (we have a list of who to avoid here), but the large majority are reputable, encrypted, and value your privacy. In fact, because Europe has much stricter privacy laws than Canada, your personal data is actually more likely to be protected at a Europe-based sportsbook than locally.
At Canada Sports Betting, we only recommend books that our team uses on a daily basis, and are known to value their users. the BC sportsbooks we recommend have no known issues regarding withdrawals, and have excellent customer service capabilities. Overall, if you stick to our guides, you’ll be in good hands.
BCLC PlayNow.com Sports Betting (Regulated)
For sports bettors who are more comfortable using at-home books only, your only option is to use the PlayNow.com platform by the BCLC. PlayNow.com is the original BC sports betting site, and offers lottery, casino, and sports betting action on all major leagues of interest in BC. At PlayNow.com, you can bet on everything from baseball, to volleyball, and everything in between such as basketball, boxing, cricket, e-sports, golf, football, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, MMA, snooker — they have it all.
The BCLC’s PlayNow even offers novelty betting on awards shows such as the Oscars, and United States political betting. PlayNow even offers a pretty good array of promotions to new and returning bettors. While they’ve gotten better in recent times, our only mark against PlayNow is their low number of prop bet options, and higher markup on the odds offered. You’re unlikely to find a really good deal at PlayNow, but your know you’re getting a safe experience with the BCLC — so the choice really comes down to personal preference.
Who Can Bet On Sports In BC?
Sports betting in BC is growing in popularity, which means more and more people are asking “who can bet on sports in BC?”. For those looking to take part in British Columbia sports betting, they first need to know the requirements. To take part in BC sports betting, bettors must be over the legal gambling age of 19 years old. While you don’t have to flash an ID to get into a casino anymore, online registration does still require proof of legal gambling age. To create an online BC sportsbook account, you must upload a piece of government-issued ID to verify your identity. In addition, you must have a functioning email address, have an address in British Columbia (or just outside of Ontario), and have a bank account or credit card with the same address.
Legal Gambling Age In British Columbia
If you are 19 years or older, you can enjoy various forms of gambling in BC, such as casinos, sportsbooks, and lotteries. It is illegal for anyone under 19 to enter a casino, sports betting facility, or play any gambling games. This includes both in-person and online casinos and sportsbooks.
Residents Of British Columbia
British Columbia sports betting is not yet a regulated market, but BC sportsbooks will still want to verify your location. British Columbia online sports betting sites are still subject to regulations set out in other regions (such as Ontario) and don’t want to be caught breaking the rules in these areas. In other words, a BC sportsbook would not want to allow Ontario bettors to access their grey-market sports betting site, as this site is not regulated within Ontario. For that reason, you must prove that you are sports betting from British Columbia. Or, more generally, you need to prove you are not betting from within Ontario.
Understand BC Sports Betting Strategy
While not a formal requirement, our team highly recommends you learn the ins and outs of betting strategy before spending your money at a BC sports betting site. While sports betting BC can be a fun activity with your friends, you’ll see more success if you understand bankroll management, responsible gambling best practices, and how to uncover value bets.
BC Sports Betting Taxable Winnings
Sports betting winnings in British Columbia, like all Canadian provinces, are not taxable income. Gambling profits in Canada are not considered as a form of income, and therefore BC sports bettors do not need to worry about paying taxes on them.
Popular BC Sports Teams
While most sports betting BC isn’t solely focused on home grown British Columbia teams, there is definitely tons of betting interest on Vancouver local names. Here are some of the most popular BC and surround area sports teams to bet on!
Vancouver Canucks
BC sports betting would be nothing without betting on the Vancouver Canucks! As the only professional NHL team from British Columbia, betting on the Vancouver Canucks is a popular choice in BC.
BC Lions
Another home grown team is the BC Lions, who play as part of the Canadian Football League. While not nearly as popular as the NFL, come Grey Gup time you’ll certainly find BC bettors searching for BC Lions moneyline odds.
Vancouver Whitecaps
Next on the list of popular BC sports betting teams comes the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. With a very diverse population in British Columbia, soccer has it’s own dedicated fan club — and the Vancouver Whitecaps are a very popular betting option.
Toronto Blue Jays
Though not local to sports betting BC, the Toronto Blue Jays are an all-Canadian sports betting favourite, and a team all bettors should check out. All sportsbooks will offer odds on the Toronto Blue Jays, making it easy for BC bettors to get in on the action!
Seattle Seahawks
NFL fans looking to sports bet in British Columbia will often look south for teams to wager on. Enter the Seattle Seahawks, Western BC’s closest NFL team! Due to Seattle’s proximity to Vancouver, the Seahawks have become a local favourite and a popular choice for sports betting.
Seattle Mariners
Finally, baseball fans in Vancouver looking to catch some action will often drop down across the border to catch a Mariner’s game — so why not bet while you’re at it? Download the best BC betting apps to sports bet on the go, ie. right form your stadium seat!
How To Start Betting In British Columbia
British Columbia online sportsbooks offer a greater variety of events and provide better odds than provincial sports lotteries, such as PlayNow.com by the BCLC. From futures markets to special events to odds on lesser-known sports, there are betting options for everyone in British Columbia. British Columbia has always boasted a strong gambling community, but now with changes to federal law, BC sports betting has really begun to flourish. Here at Canada Sports Betting, bettors can find all the general information on gambling in British Columbia, plus loads of other excellent betting news and betting pages to help make betting online in Canada a seamless and successful process.
1. Choose a Sportsbook
Choose your favourite betting site from one of the many British Columbia betting sites available on this page. Don’t forget that you can bet at multiple BC sportsbooks, and that not all BC betting sites are created equal. Some British Columbia sports betting sites cater to sharp experienced bettors, like TonyBet, while others and perfect for those new to sports betting, like bet365. Readers should compare BC online sportsbooks for key factors, such as the BC betting bonus offered, leagues and markets available, and user experience.
2. Create an Account
To make an account with an online BC sportsbook, you need to be at least 19 years old, have a functioning email address, have an address in British Columbia, and have a functioning method of payment. At most sportsbooks and BC betting apps, you can create an account by clicking the “Join” button in the top right corner. Fill in all the required details, verify your email address, and upload a piece of government-issued ID to start wagering. Most BC sports betting sites will ask you to download a location tracking software called GeoComply. This is perfectly safe, and allows the sportsbook to confirm you are in a location they are allowed to operate. If betting from a mobile app, simply allow the app to know your location instead.
3. Select a Bonus
Almost all sportsbooks will offer a sign up bonus to new bettors. The best bonuses will be available through grey-market sportsbooks, whereas promo codes for PlayNow will only get you so far. Be sure to check out our sports betting bonuses page for the best deals currently available. If you enter one of our promo codes, you’ll often get a better deal than simply going with the sportsbook’s generic offering.
4. Deposit Funds
The next step to sports betting in BC is to deposit funds into your betting wallet. You’ll be able to choose from several popular options at every sportsbook like Visa, Mastercard, Interac e-Transfer, and other options like Neteller, Skrill, Paysafecard, and iDebit wallets will be available at a number of books too. Some betting sites such as Parimatch and TonyBet also accept various forms of cryptocurrency. When you make a deposit, most of the time it will process immediately. Some methods, such as a wire transfer, can take a few hours. Check the FAQs of the sportsbook to find estimated deposit waiting times.
5. Select a Bet
Once your deposit clears, you can start betting! If you’re unfamiliar with the process, check out how to place a sports bet here. Remember that a lot of skill goes into betting profitably, so if this is your first time sports betting BC, carefully assess your options and stay within your comfort zone. Select your bet and it should automatically add to your bet slip, where all you have to do is click check out.
6. Withdraw Winnings
When the bet you chose settles (i.e. the event you wager on is over), winnings will be deposited back to your account. From there, you can withdraw all funds from your account, or use the new funds to place more bets!
How To Choose A British Columbia Sportsbook
If you’re looking to expand your sports betting options past PlayNow.com, you’ll need to weigh the pros an cons of each British Columbia sportsbook. What makes the best BC sportsbook really comes down to personal preference, but below we’ve listed the factors that we think are the most important to consider.
BC Sports Betting Bonuses and Promotion
Most online sportsbooks offer some form of reward to new bettors. The most common bonuses are matches on initial deposits or free bets when you sign up at a BC sportsbook. Sign up bonuses usually match a percentage (between 50% and 100%) of a new customer’s first deposit (on average between $100 to $1000). These bonuses come with a rollover requirement, meaning bettors must wager between 5 to 35 times their initial deposit, plus bonus funds, before they can make a withdrawal. The rollover requirement allows the sportsbook to make a profit.
Seasoned bettors often skip these bonuses, but those new to online sports betting in BC should take advantage of them to help them experience more of what BC online sportsbooks offer. Other bonus types, such as free bets, are typically a free $5 to $10 wager given to customers after their first deposit. Check out more bonus information here.
BC Sports Betting Payment Methods
There are two sides of payment methods to know about before making a decision on which BC sport betting site to join. The first is which methods the book accept, and the second is how fast they process deposit and withdrawal requests. When you want to secure some odds, you don’t want to wait 24 hours for your payment to deposit. Similarly, if you win, you want to be able to withdraw your profit as soon as possible!
The two most popular methods of payments are Interac e-Transfers, Visa, and Mastercard. Once an account is registered and identity is verified, deposits through credit and debit cards should process immediately. When making withdrawals, the process may take up to 24 hours to confirm, with funds transferring within five business days. Each sportsbook will list the payment options they have available, or you can check out our review for the book you’re interested in.
Variety of Sports Available
Even if the majority of betting in British Columbia is on the major North American sports, the fact that many international or smaller sports leagues are not available at some BC sportsbooks may be a deciding factor for you. At PlayNow.com for example, the lack of league options is why many Canadians are turning away from the BCLC service for private online betting sites. Online sportsbooks offer way more options, from cricket and rugby to international basketball to junior hockey. Some sportsbooks have everything from darts, to surfing, to volleyball, biathlon, greyhounds, and everything in between.
BC Sports Betting Markets
One area where the BCLC’s PlayNow.com sports betting is severely lacking is on futures markets, and proposition betting. Futures markets are the best way to get high odds on sports without creating a parlay. Other sportsbooks will offer futures on all sports, with odds adjusting throughout the year as one side gains popularity. The real differentiator is in prop bet offerings. Some books put more effort into prop bets than others, which means that as a bettor you should pick your book based on how you like to wager! If you’re just looking for moneyline odds, you’ll be fin anywhere. For special bets? You may need to shop around.
Live Sports Betting
Unlike the BCLC PlayNow sports betting service, once a game or event starts at a private sportsbook, it is still open for betting. Online sportsbooks offer live betting on the majority of their events, and typically put them front and center on the homepage. If you’re watching a game and see something you like (or don’t like), you can jump on your online BC sportsbooks to see adjusted game totals, point spreads, and moneyline odds. Online sportsbooks even offer live streaming for events, so you can bet accurately up to the second.
Competitive Betting Odds
On popular BC sports betting sites, the opening lines on a point spread or game total will vary significantly between different books. Because only a handful of sportsbooks set their own lines, this means other books will try to undercut them with more valuable odds. You as a bettor in British Columbia should always do your research and compare betting odds. After all, if you can make $120 or $150 betting $20 on the same event, why would you choose to make less?
What Else Can You Bet On In BC?
Canada, and therefor British Columbia, have wider options for sports betting than a number of regulated areas because of the grey-market nature of the region. This opens up BC sports betting to options like awards ceremonies, politics, virtual sports, and more! Typically, larger BC sportsbooks like bet365, Sports Interaction, and Bet99 are more likely to have odds for these categories.
Awards Ceremonies
British Columbia sorts betting options include entertainment categories such as betting on the Oscars, Emmy’s, and Miss Universe pageants.
Politics
Betting on politics, particularly betting on US politics, is very popular in Canada. Sportsbooks in BC are particularly keen to offer these odds are they are not legal south of the border.
Virtual & E-Sports
Many sportsbooks in British Columbia are now offering a multitude of odds on virtual and e-sports betting. Both have grown significantly in popularity over the last few years.
Responsible Gambling in British Columbia
British Columbia sports betting sites offer a number of tools for users to practice responsible gambling. Before placing their first bet, BC bettors should familiarize themselves with the signs of problem gambling, and set up any safeguards available at their chosen sportsbook. In general, BC sportsbooks will, at a minimum, offer the following:
- Deposit Limits: Deposit limits can be set to restrict the amount of money you can add to your account on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Deposit limits can be set up at any time from your profile settings, but it’s good practice to set up these limits from the beginning.
- Loss Limits: Loss limits will prevent bettors from wagering any more money if they’ve lost more than a specified amount in a certain period of time. Loss limits are set by the user, and can act as a great reminder to bettors who may have lost more than they’ve realized.
- Self-Exclusion: Self-exclusion is a tool bettors can use to restrict their ability to play at a given betting site. If you find yourself logging in to bet too often, and need a period of time to force yourself to stop, the self-exclusion tool can be used to do just that.
Online & Land Based Casinos in British Columbia
The online gambling scene in British Columbia is thriving, especially now the amendment has been passed. The BCLC online casino offers some great options. However, we provide a broad range of sportsbooks that also feature casinos.
In terms of land-based casinos in the province, the law allows bettors to go to certain gambling facilities which we’ll list below. So, for those that are bored of playing online BC casinos, check out our complete list of casinos in British Columbia:
- River Rock Casino
- Treasure Cove Casino
- Casino of the Rockies
- Billy Barker Casino Hotel
- Cascades Casino Kamloops
- Cascades Casino Resort Langley
- Cascades Casino Penticton
- Casino Nanaimo
- Elements Casino Chilliwack
- Elements Surrey Casino
- Lake City Casino Vernon
- Playtime Casino
We will regularly update our list of casinos in British Columbia to ensure our readers stay up-to-date. However, for those that prefer PlayNow mobile casino gambling, be sure to check out the bookmakers we listed above!
Sports Betting In Other Provinces
- Alberta
- Atlantic Lottery Corporation
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Western Canada Lottery Corporation
- Yukon
Final Thoughts: BC Sports Betting in 2024
And that’s everything you need to know on sports betting in British Columbia! Whether your preference is to gamble on Play Now sports, or take a stab at one of our top BC sportsbooks, there’s plenty of options to choose from. Remember to set up deposit and loss limits before you play, understand the terms and conditions of any bonuses you claim, and don’t overlook the importance of a solid strategy. With the key points mentioned in this article in mind, select a sportsbook from the list above and get betting (responsibly)!
British Columbia Betting FAQ
Sports betting is legal in British Columbia under the Gaming Control Act of 2002. Single-game sports betting was also legalized on August 27th, 2021 in BC and across Canada. The BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) runs legal sports betting through PlayNow.com. In addition, British Columbia law does not ban online sports betting at private sportsbooks. These books are regulated by legal gaming authorities outside of BC, which means they operate in the grey-market.
Yes. Betway is licensed to operate in Canada, including British Columbia. Betway serves BC as part of the “grey-market” in Canada, licensed through the Kahnawake Gaming Commission and through the Malta Gaming Authority.
There are two options for British Columbia residents who want to wager legally on sports. First, there is PlayNow.com, operated by the BCLC. The second, and better option, is through private sportsbooks. While PlayNow.com offers wagering via single bets, point spreads and over/unders, there are a limited number of leagues to bet on, and the odds aren’t great,
The best bet for wagering on sports in BC are the numerous online BC sportsbooks, which offer single-game sports wagering and more. On top of that, the online sportsbooks provide a much broader variety of wagering opportunities, significantly better odds, and high betting limits.
With a population of just over five million people, British Columbia is the third-most densely populated province in Canada. BC trails only Ontario (14.45 million) and Quebec (8.4 million).
According to BC laws governing gambling, if you live in the province, you must be at least 19 years of age to participate in any form of betting, whether that be on sports, at casinos, horse racing tracks, bingos, community gaming centers, lottery retailers, or at a licensed gambling event held in a community. It is against the law for minors to enter a gambling facility or participate in gambling of any kind.
Not all sportsbooks accept cryptocurrency, so if that’s your preferred method of payment, be sure to check your sportsbook’s FAQs beforehand. The best sportsbooks that accept cryptocurrency are TonyBet and Parimatch. At this time, PlayNow.com does not accept cryptocurrency in any form.
The local teams will always drive a betting market and in BC, the most popular team is the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks. The NHL is the No. 1 sport league in Canada, so it’s logical to expect that this sport will also be hugely popular with BC bettors. The BC Lions of the CFL are the No. 2 team in the province, and while the CFL might not be an internationally popular sport, in the nine cities that play host to the league’s teams, the action is fairly heated.
The NFL may not have any Canadian teams but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t significant betting interest in the league among Canadian bettors. The Seattle Seahawks are a short drive from BC, so you can count on many Canadians making that journey to take in a game. And what’s the point of watching a game if you haven’t got some action down on it? Likewise, BC’s baseball bettors will closely follow the Seattle Mariners. And when the Toronto Blue Jays make their annual visit to Seattle, there’s always a healthy contingent of support from BC-based fans.
Single-game betting was legalized in BC and across Canada on August 27th, 2021.
When seeking out the best odds for sports betting BC, it’s wise to first check out a number of BC sportsbooks. Sites like Sports Interaction, Bet99, and bet365 are some of the most popular sportsbooks with Canadian bettors because they put an emphasis on sports that are popular with Canadian fans, and they often have the best odds available.
