British Columbia sports betting: legal sportsbooks and updates 2025
BC sports betting is legal, and you can make bets through PlayNow and PROLINE, both run by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC). British Columbians have been allowed to make bets on sports events since 1985, and in 2021, single-game sports betting was legislated throughout the country thanks to Bill C-218. Continue reading our article to find out more about the timeline of sports betting in the BC area, apps and bonuses available, popular sports to bet on, and much more.
Recommended BC sports betting sites 2025
Found: 91 Bookmakers
Table of contents
- Overview of sports betting in BC
- Is sports betting legal in BC?
- Is online sports betting legal in BC?
- Where can I bet on sports in BC?
- Popular sports to bet on in BC
- BC sports teams to bet on
- BC sports betting timeline
- Responsible gambling in BC
- Sports betting in other Canadian provinces
- British Columbia betting FAQ
Overview of sports betting in BC
| ⚖️ Sports betting status | Legal |
| 📅 Year of legalization | 1985 |
| 🏢 Retail market launch date | 2004 |
| 💻 Online market launch date | 2010 |
| 📱 Sports betting sites | PlayNow, PROLINE |
| 🎰 Retail sportsbooks | PROLINE |
| 🚫 Restricted bet types | Amateur events |
| 🎂 Legal betting age | 19+ |
| 🧾 Tax on winnings | None |
| 🏛️ Regulatory body | British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BLCC) |
| 📈 Market size | Around 720 million CA$ annually |
Is sports betting legal in BC?
Yes, sports betting is legal in BC, but you must be at least 19 years old to do it. Betting on sports was allowed in 1985 after the changes to the Criminal Code of Canada, and 36 years later, Bill C-218 was passed by the Canadian government to enshrine in law single-game wagering. Sports betting in the province is overseen by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), and there are legal options to bet on all standard markets (money line, point spread, over/under), as well as various props and handicaps.
Is online sports betting legal in BC?
Yes, BC online sports betting is legal. You can do it via the PlayNow website, which has operated in British Columbia since 2004. In 2024, BCLC launched another licensed online platform called PROLINE.
Where can I bet on sports in BC?
You can bet on sports events online using one of the two licensed betting sites, PlayNow.com and PROLINE. Both are products of the British Columbia Lottery Corporation.
Another option is to bet in-person, visiting one of the 3400+ BCLC lottery terminals throughout British Columbia. Gamblers might create their digital bet slips in advance, generate a QR code to bring to any retail outlet and receive a printed ticket.
Only two BC betting sites have a license, yet British Columbians have another option of betting online via offshore sportsbooks. These bookmakers can’t work in Canada without a permit; however, the locals can still use their services. You might also be interested in our review of the best sites for online sports betting in Canada.
Popular sports to bet on in BC
Our research shows that hockey is clearly the most popular sport to bet on in British Columbia, just like in all other provinces and territories of Canada. Football, basketball, and soccer also have significant interest, with baseball just behind those three.
| Sport | Major league | Number of bettors | % of total bets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hockey | NHL | ≈ 290 000 | 20% |
| Football | NFL | ≈ 226 000 | 15% |
| Basketball | NBA | ≈ 225 000 | 15% |
| Soccer | UEFA Champions League, MLS | ≈ 200 000 | 12% |
| Baseball | MLB | ≈ 174 000 | 9% |
| Canadian football | CFL | ≈ 152 000 | 7% |
| MMA | UFC | ≈ 145 000 | 7% |
| Tennis | ATP, WTA | ≈ 130 000 | 6% |
| Lacrosse | NLL | ≈ 90 000 | 4% |
| Golf | PGA | ≈ 65 000 | 2% |
| Horse racing | - | ≈ 65 000 | 2% |
| Motorsports | F-1 | ≈ 45 000 | 1% |
BC sports teams to bet on
The big professional sports teams based in British Columbia are BС Lions, Vancouver Canucks, and Vancouver Whitecaps. The Canucks are fans' favorites here, even though they haven't won the Stanley Cup yet. Many British Columbians support the Edmonton Oilers from neighboring Alberta, and there are many Seattle Seahawks fans, too, as this NFL franchise is based not that far away in the state of Washington.
| Team | Sport | League | Location | % of total bets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BC Lions | Canadian football | CFL | Vancouver, BC | 12% |
| Edmonton Oilers | Hockey | NHL | Edmonton, AB | 25% |
| Seattle Seahawks | Football | NFL | Seattle, WA | 16% |
| Vancouver Canucks | Hockey | NHL | Vancouver, BC | 31% |
| Vancouver Whitecaps | Soccer | MLS | Vancouver, BC | 16% |
BC sports betting timeline
- September 3, 2024: The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) announces the launch of PROLINE to increase offline betting opportunities for British Columbians.
- May 25, 2024: BCLC decides to decommission Sports Action to make way for the new retail platform to come in the future.
- Autumn 2021: Soon after Bill C-218 was passed, PlayNow started offering single-game betting in the area, a huge step forward for sports betting in BC.
- 2016: PlayNow started to accept bets in-play, which significantly increased the number of bettors.
- 2010: The introduction of PlayNow, the country's first provincially regulated online betting platform.
- 2004: BCLC introduces Sports Action, a retail platform for offline bets limited to 2+ leg parlays only.
- 1985: The British Columbia Lottery Corporation is created to control all provincial gambling activities.
Responsible gambling in BC
Sports betting is supposed to be fun for everybody, yet for some, it can lead to addiction and severe problems. It’s vital to gamble responsibly, and there are several ways for British Columbians to get a helping hand.
- GameSense - This BCLC program provides comprehensive information about safe gambling, as well as live chat and a toll-free line to answer any questions by anyone concerned.
- Gambling Support BC - A program funded by the Government of British Columbia offers educational programs, free counseling services, and a 24/7 toll-free line to all BC residents who might need help due to gambling issues.
- Game Break Program - PlayNow.com gives locals a chance to take a break from gambling if it is not fun anymore, and this self-exclusion will include all gaming facilities in the province.
- Gambler Anonymous - Open and closed meetings at 10+ locations all over British Columbia, where residents can share their thoughts and listen to stories of other addictive gamblers.
Sports betting in other Canadian provinces
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Go to Nunavut
Nunavut
Learn about the top sportsbooks available in Nunavut
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Go to Alberta
Alberta
Learn about the top sportsbooks available in Alberta
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Go to Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Learn about the top sportsbooks available in Saskatchewan
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Go to Manitoba
Manitoba
Learn about the top sportsbooks available in Manitoba
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Go to Ontario
Ontario
Learn about the top sportsbooks available in Ontario
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Go to Quebec
Quebec
Learn about the top sportsbooks available in Quebec
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Go to New Brunswick
New Brunswick
Learn about the top sportsbooks available in New Brunswick
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Go to Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador
Learn about the top sportsbooks available in Newfoundland and Labrador
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Go to Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Learn about the top sportsbooks available in Nova Scotia
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Go to Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island
Learn about the top sportsbooks available in Prince Edward Island
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Go to Yukon
Yukon
Learn about the top sportsbooks available in Yukon
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Go to Northwest Territories
Northwest Territories
Learn about the top sportsbooks available in Northwest Territories
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