What PlayNow is
PlayNow is BCLC's online gambling site. It offers casino games, poker, lottery and sports betting.
BCLC owns and runs it on behalf of the province, under the oversight of the provincial regulator. It is open only to players located in BC.
According to the BC government, BCLC runs all commercial gambling in the province, including casinos and online gambling. The same page says gambling in BC is legal only when the provincial government runs it.
The official position on other sites
The province says PlayNow.com is "the only legal online gambling site in B.C."
PlayNow puts it this way: "Other sites may be reachable here, but without a B.C. licence, they're not legal." PlayNow also says the regulator oversees online gambling in BC and that PlayNow holds the sole licence.
PlayNow adds a practical warning. An unlicensed site can stall withdrawals or add new verification steps, and no one will step in to stop it.
What changed in 2025 and 2026
- October 1, 2025: BCLC began reporting casino payouts over $10,000 to FINTRAC, the federal financial intelligence agency. The same government page notes that PlayNow runs on 100% verified, account-based play.
- April 13, 2026: The new Gaming Control Act took effect. On that date the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB) became the Independent Gambling Control Office (IGCO). The government release says the regulator is independent, is responsible for anti-money-laundering, and can issue directives to BCLC without the minister's consent.
As of October 2026, no official BC government or BCLC source found for this flyer says the province plans to license private online operators. If that changes, the province and BCLC will publish it.
Who PlayNow is for
PlayNow's Player Agreement (dated May 15, 2024) sets out who is eligible:
- 19 or older
- A BC resident, physically in BC when playing
- Not enrolled in Game Break and not otherwise prohibited
BCLC's eGaming FAQ says age and residency are checked through a major Canadian credit bureau. It also lists a maximum weekly transfer into an account of $9,999.
Encore Rewards and PlayNow
Encore Rewards is the loyalty program shown for Great Canadian Casino Vancouver. The venue's Show Theatre page says members earn points at BC casinos and on PlayNow.
One note. That page was written before the casino's ownership changed on May 5, 2026, and it is not yet confirmed whether the program details have changed since. Guest Services at the casino can say what applies now.
GameSense and Game Break
GameSense is BCLC's responsible gambling program, and it is built into PlayNow. GameSense Advisors can be reached through PlayNow Live Chat, at 1-866-815-0222, or in person at a casino.
Game Break is BCLC's voluntary self-exclusion program. The GameSense FAQ lays it out:
- Terms of 6 months, 1 year, 2 years or 3 years
- It starts right away and cannot be cancelled or shortened, though it can be extended
- You can enrol directly on PlayNow.com, in person at a gambling facility or BCLC office, or virtually with an advisor
- Phone: 1-866-815-0222, press 3 (7 a.m. to midnight daily)
BCLC's April 2025 fact sheet says enrolling anywhere excludes you from both PlayNow and all BC gambling facilities. Some older information says otherwise, so it is worth confirming with a GameSense Advisor when you enrol.
If it stops feeling like fun
Gambling Support BC is free, confidential and open 24/7. Call 1-888-795-6111 or visit gamblingsupportbc.ca. More options are on the gambling support page.