British Columbia Betting 2022 | BC Sportsbooks
Unsure where to bet in British Columbia?
We have the answer! Our British Columbia betting guide gives you the latest information on betting in the province, as well as a list of recommendations for online casinos and BC betting sites. Let’s get started!
Best British Columbia Sports Betting Sites for 2022
Is Betting Legal in BC?
Absolutely! Betting has been legal in British Columbia for decades.
However, the sports betting market is undergoing some changes thanks to new legislation. Let’s take a closer look at some of the recent developments.
The Latest Updates on Sports Betting in British Columbia
On the 27th of August 2021, the new single-event betting legislation came into force across Canada.
This legislation allows individual provinces to introduce and legal single-event betting as they wish, ending decades of parlay bets as the only option at the provincial lottery sites.
In the case of British Columbia, the province opted to start offering single-event betting on the same day the legislation was rolled out.
As of the 27th of August 2021, bettors in British Columbia can place single bets at the BCLC’s PlayNow site.
Unlike Ontario, BC has not yet expressed an interest in introducing private operators in the market. Therefore, PlayNow will be the only option offered by the province for the foreseeable future.
This is the same stance that has been adopted by provinces like Quebec.
However, offshore betting sites like Betway and bwin are available and safe options for Canadian bettors to bet at in 2022.
While these operators can offer their services without being regulated by the province (since they’re not based in Canada) the ones we recommend boast plenty of international and local licenses.
For one, they each have an iGO license – meaning they went above and beyond to offer their services legally to Ontarians.
This makes it clear that these international sportsbooks in Canada are fair and safe and have nothing to hide.
PlayNow vs. International Betting Sites
PlayNow has a reputation of offering limited betting markets and promotions and having subpar odds.
However, its recent upgrade has improved some aspects of this BC betting site.
For instance, PlayNow has expanded its sports selection to include single bets, but also add other sports like MMA.
You can find favourites like football, tennis, hockey, and basketball, along with more niche options like eSports, and table tennis.
PlayNow has around 20 sports available, which still does not fully match sites like LeoVegas which offers 35+ betting options.
PlayNow Odds vs Other Odds
We also spent some time comparing odds between different sportsbooks. If we look at an example from the NFL:
| Jacksonville J. | Cincinnati B. | |
| PlayNow | 3.65 | 1.28 |
| Betway | 3.70 | 1.294 |
| bwin | 3.82 | 1.29 |
In this example, PlayNow is the worst option for both the favourite and the underdog.
To quantify it, a $100 bet on the underdog (Jacksonville) at bwin can give you winnings of $282.
To quantify it, a $100 bet on the underdog (Jacksonville) at bwin can give you winnings of $282. The same bet at PlayNow would result in $265 in winnings.
That’s $17 less than what you could have earned with the right odds.
This pattern was consistent with other examples we’ve checked out, which leads us to conclude that PlayNow’s odds are still worse than most other BC betting sites.
So, should BC bettors stick with PlayNow or look elsewhere?
PlayNow Alternatives
According to our research, offshore operators tend to have a wider selection of sports, betting markets, and betting tools. In general, they offer better odds as well.
And while not an official option in BC, they are licensed in many different countries, such as UK or Malta.
Finally, each one of them is legal in Ontario, which is currently the only province with a fully regulated online betting scene.
Unfortunately, many renowned brands are not available in British Columbia yet. Here’s a quick overview:
| Sportsbook | Availability in BC |
| FanDuel | No |
| Pointsbet | No |
| BetMGM | No |
| DraftKings | No |
| Caesars | No |
| Rivalry | No |
But plenty of other well-known brands are:
British Columbia Betting Apps
Another huge advantage of offshore betting sites compared to PlayNow is the fact many of them have downloadable apps.
These apps tend to be highly functional and available for both Android and iOS, which makes in-play betting that much easier.
Here’s a quick overview of the best betting apps available in BC:
How to Bet on Sports Online in British Columbia
There are currently two options to choose from when betting online in British Columbia.
- You can bet at PlayNow, which is the only betting site managed by the BCLC.
- You can use an international betting site like Betway.
Here’s how the betting process would work if you were to bet on Betway:
- Register an account and verify it
- Deposit funds
- Choose the sport you wish to bet at
- Choose the type of bet you’re after
- Decide how much you wish to wager and place a bet.
For better understanding, we’ve provided a thorough guide with screenshots as well.
Are Online Casinos Legal in British Columbia?
We’ve looked extensively at sports betting in BC, but what about online casinos?
We should start by saying: yes, online casinos are legal in British Columbia.
The situation is somewhat similar to sports betting. The only casino site managed by the province is BCLC’s PlayNow and you can gamble there.
However, playing at online casinos located outside of Canada is also not illegal, and you can consider them as safe options.
Just like with sportsbooks, offshore casinos we recommend are legal in Ontario and have plenty of international licenses.
That plus focus on responsible gambling makes them a safe option for BC residents.
Up till now, these international casinos have been a better option for players in British Columbia. This is because they offer far better perks and game selection.
Check out our favourites for British Columbia below!
Best Online Casinos for Players in British Columbia
FAQs
What are the best British Columbia betting sites available?
Some of best betting options for bettors in BC include LeoVegas, 888Sport, and Royal Panda.
Is Proline available in BC?
BC’s versions of Proline is SportsAction and PlayNow, which are both managed by the BCLC.
What is the legal age for sports betting in British Columbia?
The legal age of sports betting in BC is 19 years.
Do I need to pay taxes on sports betting winnings in British Columbia?
No, like all other provinces in Canada, sports betting winnings are not taxed in British Columbia.
Who regulates gambling in British Columbia?
All gambling activity in BC is regulated by BCLC, which manages PlayNow and SportsAction for sports betting.
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