British Columbia Betting 2021 | BC Betting Sites
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 2021
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, which has been expanded to offer more betting markets and options.
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.
However, offshore betting sites like Bet365, Betway, Bodog, and Sports Interaction have also remained available and safe options for Canadian bettors to bet at.
Since these sites are not based in Canada, they can offer their services without being regulated by the province.
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 Bet365, Bodog, and Sports Interaction.
Which option is the best one?
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 Bet365 which offers 35+ betting options.
Sports Bonuses and Promotions
PlayNow also upped the game with a new sign up sports bonus that can go up to $250.
This is a good amount that matches or exceeds offers from sportsbooks like Bet365 and Sports Interaction.
However, there are other British Columbia betting sites that go far beyond a $250 bonus amount.
At the time of writing, Bet99 offered a $600 sign up bonus, Bodog offered $400, and Intertops offered $500.
Having said that, PlayNow comes in the form of a free bet offer that requires no rollover, while most other offers require rollover requirements.
Perhaps PlayNow’s biggest weakness in this section is its lack of frequent promotions.
Most international betting sites offer a range of extra promotions like parlay boosts, risk-free bets, enhanced odds, free bet clubs and more.
At PlayNow, we only saw evidence of a bet-back bonus for losing bets on specific games.
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 |
| Bodog | 3.70 | 1.294 |
| Sports Int. | 3.82 | 1.29 |
| Bet365 | 3.70 | 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 Sports Interaction 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.
PlayNow Alternatives
After reviewing the different options, we feel that the international sites still have an edge over PlayNow and generally offer a superior product.
Here are some PlayNow alternatives if you want to go down this route:
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.
Up till now, these international casinos have been a better option for players in British Columbia. This is because they offer far better bonuses 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 Bet365, Betway, and Bodog.
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.
