British Columbia Online Gambling: an Expert Guide
Our Guide to Gambling in BC
The beautiful province of British Columbia is the third-most populated in the country and it is the westernmost province in Canada. It is also a province where online gambling, from sports betting to Canadian online casinos to poker, is extremely popular.
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Online Gambling in British Columbia FAQs
British Columbia Laws & History
Great Canadian Casino Company Forms
1982
The Great Canadian Casino Company Ltd forms. In the early years, it operates temporary casinos and trains its staff on-site.
Casino at the Holiday Inn Opens
February 21, 1986
The Casino at the Holiday Inn on Broadway opens in February 1986 in Vancouver.
Nanaimo Casino Opens
Summer 1986
Grand Canadian opens the Nanaimo Casino, which was the first permanent casino on Vancouver Island.
Mayfair Casino Opens
1992
The Mayfair Casino opens, while the Langley Casino closed.
Renaissance Casino Opens
1994
The Renaissance Casino in Vancouver opens. Meanwhile, the Guildford Casino (opened: 1988) transfers its license to the Newton Casino.
Great Canadian Gaming Corporation is Formed
March 15, 1997
The new British Columbia government, having promised a balanced budget during the campaign, faces a major revenue shortfall. BC turns heavily towards gambling to make up the difference.
BC allows a wider variety of table games and, most importantly, slot machines. It also allows longer hours for casinos.
To help supply the gaming, the Great Canadian Gaming Corporation launched in March 1997.
British Columbia Lottery Corporation Oversees Casinos
1998
The Renaissance Casino in Vancouver opens.
The British Columbia Lottery Corporation gains oversight of all casinos in British Columbia. Also, the charity casino system is replaced.
Great Canadian Launches on the Toronto Stock Exchange
2004
Great Canadian opens River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond.
GCGC also aquires Bear Mountain Community Gaming Centre in Dawson Creek. It also delves into horse racing with the purchase of the Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver.
Parq Vancouver Grand Opening
September 29, 2017
The Parq Vancouver opens in September 2017 on the site of the old Edgewater Casino at th Plaza of Nations.
Parq Vancouver is adjacent to BC Place and houses the JW Marriot and The Douglas, Autograph Collection. It has 75 gaming tables and 600 slot machines.
British Columbia Gambling Laws
Much like the rest of Canada, players in British Columbia will not get in trouble from the law for playing at offshore online casinos, online sports betting books and online poker rooms. The toughest gambling laws are toward the operators, but as for the players, there are no problems.
As long as you play at a safe and secure casino, sports betting site or poker room on the internet, you will be fine.
Does British Columbia Have Land-Based Casinos?
Yes. British Columbia has 32 land-based casinos placed in 30 different cities. Kamloops and Kelowna each have two casinos, while the rest have only a single casino.
Those who plan a casino visit in Vancouver will need to go to Parq Vancouver. Several other casinos exist in Vancouver’s metropolitan area.
Does British Columbia Have Any Legal Betting Tracks / Shops?
Yes. British Columbia has one traditionoal horse track and two horse track casinos.
The traditional horse track is Desert Park in the city of Osoyoos.
The two racinos are Elements Casino Surrey in Surrey and Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver.
Does British Columbia Allow Off-Track Betting?
Yes. British Columbia has a number off track betting facilities and teletheater companies. For instance, TBC Teletheater BC has OTBs in Chilliwack, Vernon, Penticton, Squamish, and Surrey.
Does British Columbia Allow Charitable Gambling?
Yes. BC’s Gambling & Fundraising Division of its Sports, Recreation, Arts & Culture Department regulates charitable gambling in the province.
Charitable gaming groups can host bingo events, raffles, and poker nights. They can also operate temporary social occasion casinos. Another game available to charitable gaming groups is Wheel of Fortune.
Several good examples of British Columbia’s bingo halls are Planet Bingo in Vancouver, Harbour City Bingo in Nanaimo, and Bingo Equimalt in Victoria.
Is Social Gaming Allowed in British Columbia?
No. British Columbia bans unlicensed private poker games. That being said, BC has a number of live poker rooms in its land-based casinos. The list of casinos with poker rooms includes Parq Vancouver, River Rock Casino, Playtime Casino, Treasure Cover Casino, Cascades Casino, Billy Barker Casino, Chances, and Grand Villa Casino.
Also, BC charitable gambling organizations sometimes host poker nights.
