Gambling age in British Columbia
In B.C., people under 19 may not enter gambling venues or take part in any gambling.1 It is illegal in B.C. for minors to be present at a gambling facility or to take part in any kind of gambling.2
Minimum age by activity
| Lottery | B.C.'s gambling age rule covers lottery tickets as well as casinos, online gambling and charitable events, and people under 19 may not take part in any gambling.1 Under B.C.'s Gaming Control Act, no one may sell a lottery ticket to a minor, or buy one for resale to a minor, unless they are a gaming event licensee authorized by the regulations and their licence.3 |
|---|---|
| Bingo and charitable gaming | B.C.'s gambling age rule also covers charitable events, and people under 19 may not enter gambling venues or take part in any gambling.1 |
| Sports betting | Anyone under 19 is prohibited from taking part in commercial gaming activities in B.C.4 |
| Online gambling | To register for PlayNow.com you must be a B.C. resident and 19 or older.5 |
Who runs gambling in British Columbia
Gambling in B.C. is legal only when run by the provincial government, and BCLC manages all commercial gambling, including casinos and online gambling, for the B.C. government.1
Who regulates it
The Independent Gambling Control Office (IGCO) is B.C.'s provincial regulator for all gambling, horse racing and responsible gambling programs.6
Gambling online in British Columbia
PlayNow is the only legal online casino in British Columbia; BCLC owns and operates it for the province under the IGCO.7
Self-exclusion
Casinos, bingo halls and PlayNow.com must offer a free, voluntary self-exclusion program that lets a person ask to be barred for a specified period.4 PlayNow's self-exclusion program is called Game Break.8
Worth knowing
In B.C., gambling is permitted at casino and bingo facilities, through lottery and sports betting products, and through BCLC's iGaming.2 Every casino in British Columbia has a GameSense Advisor available to people experiencing harm from gambling.4
Tax on winnings
CRA Income Tax Folio S3-F9-C1 (effective July 3, 2020): a prize from a lottery scheme is generally not taxable as income or capital gain, unless the circumstances make it employment, business or property income or an achievement prize. Only the winnings; interest or investment income earned on them is a separate matter.9
Help with gambling
Gambling Support BC: free 24/7 helpline 1-888-795-6111.10
Where to play in British Columbia
We list 37 places in British Columbia: 34 casinos, 1 bingo hall, 1 racetrack with slots, 1 charitable gaming centre. See all casinos in British Columbia.
Kamloops · Kelowna · Vancouver
Other provinces: gambling age across Canada.