Single-event sports betting is legal in British Columbia. After Bill C-218 changed federal law in August 2021, British Columbia enabled betting on a single game or event. This explainer covers what is legal today, who runs it, the legal age, how to bet, and how winnings are taxed.
British Columbia sports betting at a glance
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Online sports betting | Legal – via PlayNow (monopoly) |
| Retail sports betting | Legal (casinos province-wide) |
| Single-event legal | Since 27 Aug 2021 |
| Regulator | BCLC (operator); GPEB regulates |
| Market model | Provincial monopoly |
| Legal online operator(s) | PlayNow.com (BCLC) |
| Minimum age | 19 |
| Winnings taxed? | No – recreational winnings are tax-free |
Legal sports betting in British Columbia
British Columbia uses a provincial model. PlayNow.com, operated by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), is the only legal online sportsbook. BC also has casinos across the province, including River Rock and the Cascades and Treasure Cove venues.
Legal status and key dates
Single-event sports betting became legal across Canada on 27 August 2021, when Bill C-218 amended the Criminal Code. BC offered single-event betting through PlayNow after the 2021 federal change. Gambling in BC is regulated under the Gaming Control Act, with the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB) overseeing BCLC.
How to bet legally in British Columbia
- Use a legal option – BCLC’s PlayNow.com.
- Be 19 or older (the legal gambling age in British Columbia).
- Create an account and verify your identity.
- Deposit with Interac, the most common Canadian method.
- Place your bet.
Are gambling winnings taxed in British Columbia?
No. In Canada, recreational gambling winnings are not treated as taxable income, so you keep what you win. The only exception is the rare case of someone who gambles professionally as a business. This is a federal rule, so it applies in British Columbia as it does across Canada.
Responsible gambling in British Columbia
BCLC runs the GameSense responsible-gambling programme. You must be 19 or older to bet in British Columbia. Free, confidential support is available through the BC Responsible and Problem Gambling Program at 1-888-795-6111, and every regulated site offers deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion.
FAQs
Yes. Single-event sports betting is legal in British Columbia, offered through BCLC’s PlayNow.com.
19. You must be 19 or older to bet in British Columbia.
The legal option is BCLC’s PlayNow.com. Sites operating outside provincial regulation offer weaker player protection.
No – recreational winnings are tax-free in Canada. Only professional gamblers, a rare business-like case, may be taxed.
For the national picture, see is sports betting legal in Canada?, or our guide to the best betting sites in Canada.
19+ in British Columbia. Please play responsibly. Help is available through the BC Responsible and Problem Gambling Program at 1-888-795-6111.