
British Columbia Sports Betting
British Columbia Online Sports Betting Updates

Updated October 01, 2023
Canada's third-largest city and British Columbia's largest — Vancouver — is less than an hour drive from the U.S. at its nearest border crossing. With a select number of teams both in Vancouver and near British Columbia, it was great to see legal online sports betting finally go live. With PlayNow up and running in the province, British Columbians can bet on their favorite sports responsibly and get it on the fun.
BC Sports Betting Overview, Timeline and Background
British Columbia Legalization Timeline for Betting
August 2021
- The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) appoints Genius Sports Limited as the official data provider for their sportsbook operations, securing a multi-year deal with the corporation.
- Single-game sports betting goes live in British Columbia on Aug. 27 through the PlayNow Sportsbook.
June 2021
- Senate passes Bill C-218, which will allow Canadian sportsbooks to apply for licenses that will let sports bettors place single-game wagers. Only parlays, or multiple game outcomes, had been legal in Canada, so Canadians have had to use European sportsbooks.
How to Start Betting in British Columbia
While British Columbians have limited options, they are finally able to participate in online sports betting through PlayNow, which was officially launched on Aug. 27, 2021.
Select a sportsbook
B.C. residents are only allowed to use PlayNow to place single-game wagers online. Additionally, players can place their wagers online or choose to submit them in person at any BCLC terminal located in participating locations
Register online
- Click “Join” on the top right corner of the site.
- Select your welcome bonus and enter your personal information such as your name, address, DOB, email, and phone number.
- Create a strong password and a couple of security questions.
- Your account has been registered and you are now able to bet!
Deposit funds
Funding an account can be done in a matter of minutes. PlayNow accept several payment methods.
Method | Fee | Processing Time | Minimum Deposit |
Mastercard | Free | Instant | CAD$10 |
Visa | Free | Instant | CAD$10 |
Interac Online | Free | Instant | CAD$10 |
Choose your bet types
With the arrival of single-game sports betting in Canada, local options will continually become more accessible to bettors. Play Alberta offers a variety of bet types from single to multi-game sports betting.
- Point Spreads. Spread betting is a bet on the margin of victory in a game. Point Spreads
- Moneylines. Moneyline betting is when you pick the winner of the game or event. Moneylines
- Totals. A total, also known as an over/under, is a bet on the number of points both teams will combine to score in a game. Totals
- Player Props. A prop bet, short for a proposition, wager that is not directly tied to the final score or outcome. Props Bets
British Columbia Sports Betting Tips
Sports Betting for B.C. Beginners
New to sports betting in B.C.? Check out our sports betting tips for beginners so you can get started placing bets on a team like the Vancouver Canucks.
Sports Betting Glossary
Learning sports betting lingo can be confusing for new bettors. Take a look at our sports betting glossary to get up to speed with every term you might need to know during your next bet on the Seattle Kraken.
Sports Betting Mistakes to Avoid
Betting on your favorite teams like the Vancouver Canucks or Seattle Seahawks might seem like an easy win, but as a bettor, you need to make your decisions wisely.
British Columbia Teams to Bet On
NFL Sports Betting in British Columbia
Seattle Seahawks
Once a powerhouse in the NFC that made the playoffs in nine of the last 12 seasons, the Seahawks just finished off their worst years since 2009 (thanks to the extra game). The Super Bowl XLVIII Champions haven't gotten past the divisional round since 2014 and the Legion of Boom has been finished for a few years now. Franchise quarterback Russell Wilson isn't getting any younger. Could he be on his way out?
Recommended resource to help you bet on football in British Columbia:
- How to Bet on Football Guide
- Check our Expert NFL Picks
- Keep an eye on betting activity and bet/money distribution with our NFL Public Betting data
NHL Betting in British Columbia
Vancouver Canucks
British Columbia's lone team has yet to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup in their 50+ years in the NHL. The Canucks have played in the Cup finals three times — most recently in the 2010-11 season — but haven't gotten to name themselves the best in the world just yet. They're also looking to get back on the right track, having not won their division since 2013 and missing the playoffs in five of the last six seasons.
Recommended resource to help you bet on hockey in British Columbia:
NBA Betting in Ontario
Portland Trail Blazers
The pride of Oregon as the state's only pro sports team also represents the western side of Canada here. The Blazers do have a championship to their name from 1977, but are still looking to really make some noise in recent years. Led by perennial All-Star Damian Lillard, Portland can contend at any moment for an NBA Championship...as long as the front office finally gets him some help.
Memphis Grizzlies
Some 80s babies and 90s kids might remember that the Grizzlies organization actually started in Vancouver. The Grizzlies spent the first six years in Canada as a part of the NBA's expansion with their northern neighbors. Though they never made the playoffs in that time, the now Memphis Grizzlies saw some success in the "Grit and Grind" era with Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. Now led by 2020-21 Rookie of the Year Ja Morant, the Grizzlies look ready to contend for years to come.
Recommended resource to help you bet on basketball:
MLB Betting in Ontario
Seattle Mariners
With the only Canadian MLB team thousands of miles away in Toronto, the Seattle Mariners are the next best option for British Columbia fans of pro baseball. The Mariners have been a pillar of the American League since 1977, with the likes of Ken Griffey Jr., Ichiro Suzuki and Randy Johnson providing star power in the northwest. While the M's haven't captured an AL Pennant or World Series title just yet, they just barely missed the playoffs last season despite a 90-win season, so they look primed and ready to compete in the very near future.
Recommended resource to help you bet smartly on baseball in Georgia:
MLS Betting in British Columbia
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Vancouver has seen a number of teams start and stop play over the last half-century, but the current iteration has been around since 2011 as an MLS expansion team. The Whitecaps haven't made much of a dent in The United States' top soccer league, but they did win the CONCACAF Champions League in 2015. A first round exit from the 2021 MLS playoffs was a push in the right direction after missing out on the postseason the previous three seasons, but we can assume that the Caps have higher expectations for next year.
Recommended resource to help you bet on soccer in British Columbia:
CFL Betting in British Columbia
BC Lions
While they're another team based in Vancouver, the Lions represent all of British Columbia proudly. With six Grey Cups to their name (including three since the start of the new millennium), BC has certainly had their fair share of success. But the Leos also hold the longest championship drought among teams in the West Division (2011). With a new owner at the top after the passing of David Braley, the Lions hope to get back to their winning ways.
Rivers Rock Casino
River Rock Casino Resort is Western Canada's only 4-Diamond Casino Resort located in beautiful British Columbia.
Hard Rock Casino
Unparalleled entertainment, gaming, and restaurant options make us the perfect choice for anyone looking for things to do in Vancouver. The Hard Rock Casino's gaming floor offers 951 slot machines and a number of table games like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. Their 1,100 seat theatre hosts some of the best Vancouver concerts, comedy shows, and performances.
Lake City Casino
The Lake City Casino offer hundreds of slot machines, live table games, off-track betting, and fabulous dining.
