The Best Online Casinos in British Columbia for 2024

The top legal online casinos in British Columbia are licenced by internationally approved organizations, such as the MGA. They also operate under the regulatory oversight of the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) and offer 100% safe and reliable games to local citizens.

This guide will turn your attention to many other reasons that make the featured casino sites highly recommended. Our team of online casino experts reviewed a ton of other operators. However, the ones listed below excelled in almost every area, such as diversity of games, quality of the software platforms, welcome bonus offers, and more.

Let’s begin with the summary of our expert take, which you can see in the table below. These are the top 10 British Columbia casino sites that will help you out in your endeavour to find a safe and licenced operator. Each online casino below offers reasonable RTP rates and high-quality games and is not a scam.

The Top 10 BC Casinos Online

The best online casinos in the Pacific province we selected received the highest score in almost every criterion we discussed earlier. So, if you are looking for a trustworthy and reliable site to play your favourite casino games, you can choose one and start your gaming adventure by opening a new account.

We’ve reviewed almost every online casino operator on the West Coast, and these are our favourites. We were impressed by their results in key areas like game selections, welcome bonus offers, mobile compatibility, and more. Stay tuned, as you can find all the factors discussed and analyzed in this guide.

List of All Legal BC Online Casino Sites

The following list of the top 10 BC casinos for online play includes operators that offer everything you need if you are looking for legal gambling games and fantastic online casino bonuses. We tested many operators, and the sites below provide numerous high RTP games and bonuses with the best wagering requirements.

• Ice Casino
• Casombie
• Rolling Slots
• Nine Casino
• N1 Casino
• Jackpot Village
• Megaslot
• Wazamba
• Karamba
• Casinoin

There is a perfect recommendation for every type of player, whether a newbie or a high roller. Since online gambling in British Columbia is legal, we considered many factors when rating these websites. In the following paragraphs, you will find everything about our rating criteria.

Our Ranking Procedure and Criteria for Online Casinos

There are six main criteria for the assessment of local casino websites. The following table includes more details about them, and we reviewed each factor individually. We also judged each casino operator’s overall performance by combining all these ranking criteria.

Thus, an online casino receives a higher rank in the category offering the highest results. The next question to be considered is “how good is each operator in every criterion?”. You will find the correct answers below.

What Makes an Online Casino Safe & Secure?

There are many requirements for an online casino to be safe. Licence is one of the most critical factors, as online casinos in the province are legal. The BC Lottery Corporation regulates the operators on behalf of the province’s government, while a legitimate offshore casino site must be licenced by internationally recognized organizations, such as the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA).

As most of the recommended top legal British Columbia operators on this page are also among the safest online casinos in Canada, they all follow many other safety standards to avoid scams. Examples include SSL encryption, restriction of minors from registering, independent game Return-to-Player (RTP) audits, secure online payment services, and so on. The casinos we picked feature very high safeguard standards in every criterion.

Security Details on a Legal Casino Website

Further Details About:

• 👨 Gambling Law & Licence
• 🧒 Legal Gambling Age in BC
• 🧾 Taxes on Gambling Winnings
• ⚖️ Relevant Legal Texts
• 💻 Cybersecurity Certification

The law allows online playing at gambling websites in BC under the Provincial Gaming Control Act.^[1] However, it was replaced by a new Bill 32 from 2022, which we will discuss later. Additionally, we will touch on other essential topics, such as taxes on gambling winnings and the minimum legal gaming age in the province.

Gambling Laws and Casino Licences

The Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB) regulates all provincial gambling activities. It supervises the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) under the Provincial Gaming Control Act and Canada’s Criminal Code, thus making it responsible for regulating all commercial gaming activities in the area.

Alternatively, you can play at casinos online that are operated by international (offshore) companies. They are licenced and regulated by organizations of worldwide importance, such as the MGA, the Alderney Gambling Commission, and the Government of Curacao. You can confirm the legitimacy of each site from the licence logos included on its footer.

British Columbia Gaming Commission

Address	Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch 3rd Floor, 910 Government Street Victoria, B.C. V8W 1X3
Email	gaming.licensing@gov.bc.ca
Phone	1-800-663-7867
Founded	N/A
Employees	500 – 1000 Appointed Members
Licence Authority	Gambling and Fundraising Province of British Columbia

Some of the key responsibilities of the BCLC are to organize all kinds of gambling activities on behalf of the province, to supply gaming equipment and gaming-related technology, and to monitor compliance with the provincial Gaming Control Act.

There are additional legal documents, such as the new Bill 32^[2] from 2022, that broaden the powers and responsibilities of the BCLC even more. In our expert opinion, this is the right approach towards a more innovative and regulated online gambling industry in the 21st century, and this Canadian province is going strong.

Legal Gambling Age in British Columbia

The legal gambling age in the province is 19. The best British Columbia online casino operators verify this during the authentication process of their users, who are required to register and create an account in order to play. During this process, users must provide a valid ID card/passport and other personal details requested by the operator.

Just like the legitimate casino sites in Nunavut, for example, the top gaming operators in BC know very well that minors are forbidden to gamble online. Nowadays, their responsible gambling policies encompass a wide range of services, including gambling addiction prevention. So, if you plan to create a new account at a website that is not a scam, please make sure to be at least 19 years of age.

Taxes on Gambling Winnings

If you worry about paying additional taxes when you strike a winning combination at your favourite online casino, you should know there aren’t any. According to section 3 of the Canadian Income Tax Act, gambling taxes in Canada^[3] are required only if your income source is employment, office, property, or business.

However, gambling becomes taxable if you are a professional poker player, for example. As a first-time player, it is unlikely to be part of that category. Yet, you should be aware of your intention upon registering at an online casino.

Legal Online Gambling Texts

There are many additional texts regarding legal online casinos in the Pacific province. Perhaps Bill 32 from 2022 is the most important of them. It is set to replace many regulations under the Provincial Gaming Control Act, for example, by expanding the role and responsibility of the BCLC’s General Manager.

Excerpt from the Laws Concerning Gambling in British Columbia

The Provincial Gaming Control Act

The Provincial Gaming Control Act is the main piece of legislation that regulates all forms of gambling in the province. The new Bill 32 from 2022 replaces the said Act by introducing additional responsibilities and roles of the Lottery Corporation. Now, the general manager has more capacity and power to regulate the licenced gaming service providers in British Columbia. For example, the lottery corporation can deny access to online gambling to any individual who is engaging in unlawful conduct while participating in gambling activities.

British Columbia

Of course, if you are interested in the Gaming Control Act^[4], you can come across various related documents that will help you understand the online gambling landscape in BC, Canada. The “General Manager’s Directive for advertising and marketing standards for the BC gambling industry” is a great example.

Additional Certificates of Trust

Other important certificates of trustworthiness include game RNG and RTP audits, SSL encryption and, of course, international recognition at events like the EGR Awards. The top online casinos in British Columbia also excel in the responsible gaming department. Here is what to look for at a casino site:

• EGR Awards – Gaming Category Awards
• Curaçao eGaming – Internationally-Recognized Licence
• eCOGRA – Independent RTP Auditing
• Cloudflare, Inc. – SSL Encryption

You can easily verify the certification of the legal BC online casinos by quickly reviewing the footers of their websites. There, you should find the logos and the certificates of some (if not all) of the third-party agencies mentioned above. You should also have no difficulties finding the full casino terms, its bonus policy, and socially responsible initiatives.

Available Online Casino Games

Next, we will focus on the quality of the games offered as the second most important factor that sets trusted online casinos apart from scams. There is no magic number for the total number of games at an online operator. Here are some of the most popular types of online casino games:

However, let’s face it – the more, the better. Undoubtedly, it is more likely to find your favourite game at an operator with 3000 – 4000 or even more titles in its portfolio. Besides the number of games, their quality is another important factor to consider. You can judge this from the diversity and reputation of the offered software platforms.

Accepted Payment Methods

Also, when you get to the point of playing regularly at your favourite online casino, the accepted deposit and withdrawal methods will become ever more critical. That’s why analyzing them before opening your new casino account is recommended. You should consider the available deposit options, as well as transaction limits, fees, speed, etc.

The next table features more details about the top payment methods at an online casino in British Columbia. Our expert researchers prepared an excellent overview to help you understand the specifics of an online casino cashier. However, the operators reserve the right to change their banking policy without further notice.

The top BC casinos online offer more than three types of payment methods, such as credit/debit/prepaid cards, e-wallets, mobile billing methods, and direct bank transfers. Some operators could also be considered fast-payouts online casinos because they offer withdrawals in less than 48 hours.

As a regular player, you will find that factors such as minimum deposit limits, fast withdrawal times, and two-factor authentication are essential for your transactions. Newcomers should consider whether their favourite deposit method is valid for claiming the welcome bonus. Overall, the best online casinos in the province offer plenty of options for everyone.

Mobile Casino Apps & Compatibility

If you are a modern gambler, you should already have your favourite casino app installed on your smartphone, tablet, or another mobile device. However, the best British Columbia online casino recommended below does not require any additional downloads. Its web-based app is available for direct play from your mobile device’s web browser.

The Best Mobile Casino App for 2024 for iOS and Android in British Columbia

Karamba

3,000+ Mobile Games

To the Casino

We all know how important mobile gaming is. Nowadays, most players prefer to play on the go, and the traditional desktop version of an online casino is rarely used. That’s why if you want to play at a casino online from the West Coast, you should check its app compatibility with your specific mobile device in advance.

Luckily, almost all modern iOS/Android devices are compatible with the top online casino apps. Just ensure your smartphone or another device has an updated operating system. Then, try to launch the casino website through the web browser or download the application, and log in with the exact details you use for the desktop casino platform.

Reputation and Quality of the Software Providers

Another excellent characteristic of the top gambling websites in BC is that they offer games from some of the best and most popular software platforms in the world. Examples include Microgaming, Evolution, Pragmatic Play, Playtech, and many more.

You will find some of them next. Please note that each software platform offers an advantage over the others. No two software platforms are the same. From classic 1-payline slots through innovative 5-reel games with plenty of unique features to high-limits live dealer tables – there is a perfect fit for everyone.

• Play’n GO – Top Video Slots Software Provider
• Pragmatic Play – Famous for Its Live Dealer Tables
• NetEnt – Best Video Slots with Free Spins Rounds
• Microgaming – Most Diverse Online Casino Game Portfolio
• Playson – Advanced Game Mechanics and Bonus Rounds
• Big Time Gaming – Some of the Most Famous Table Games
• Wazdan – Numerous High RTP Video Slots
• Yggdrasil – Top Games with Unique Gameplay and Theme

If you already have a favourite software platform, you are likelier to find its games at an online casino with a vast game catalogue. That’s why we recommend only the best casino sites in British Columbia that feature thousands of games from any category you can think of.

Customer Support Options

Finally, the quality of customer support is the next important factor that plays a significant role in the trustworthiness of an online casino operator. The characteristics of good customer service include fast and right-to-the-point answers, as well as multiple and easy ways to talk to an expert.

Each of the BC casino sites included in this guide offers excellent customer support. Moreover, they also offer comprehensive FAQ sections and/or help centers where you can usually find the answers to most of your questions.

The different contact options are more suitable for specific scenarios, too. For instance, if you need immediate support, please choose live chat or phone support if you mind using the keyboard. Alternatively, you can like and follow your favourite BC casinos online on social networks like Facebook and LinkedIn and use their live chats to talk to an expert.

Review the Responsible Gaming Tools

Now, it is time to explain the main steps to play at an online casino. The following list includes a short how-to guide to help you better understand the registration process, the first deposit, etc.

• Step 1: Verify the Casino Legitimacy Go to the footer of the casino website and check for any logo and seal of approval of the agencies we discussed above. These logos may include and are not limited to licence authorities, accepted payment methods, internationally recognized awards, and more. You should find them easily.
• Step 2: Confirm the Casino Safety If your chosen operator is licenced and legitimate, you must also verify how it protects its online players. For example, look for published RTP testing reports and SSL encryption certificates, read the “About Us” page and the full privacy policy, and learn how the operator collects and stores your data.
• Step 3: Check the Bonus Terms You certainly want to avoid fraudulent bonuses, which can be done by reading the full bonus terms of a casino operator before your registration. Avoid bonuses with very high (near impossible) wagering requirements, very short expiry periods, important details with small, almost invisible fonts, or any missing details.
• Step 4: Open the Casino App An online casino that is not available for instant play from a mobile device should ring a bell, at least in the 21st century, when mobile gaming is a benchmark fashion. If there is not a reasonable excuse, you should avoid such websites. Some operators even offer games that are optimized as mobile-first.
• Step 5: Review the Responsible Gaming Tools Most operators usually have a link on their footers, especially dedicated to their responsible gaming policy. It should include clear guidelines about setting deposit limits, reducing screen time, or even signing up on a self-exclusion list. Look for the services of companies like BeGambleAware, GamStop, Gamblers Anonymous, and more.
• Step 6: Inspect the Cashier Section If you want to play with real money, you must be particular about the safety and reliability of the casino cashier. Read the complete banking policy section in the general casino terms to learn how the casino processes your transactions.
• Step 7: See the Game Payouts The trustworthy casino operators in this province are obliged to publish the RTP (payout) percentages of their games. So, please open the game portfolio and confirm that you can clearly and quickly see the payout rates of every game.
• Step 8: Check the Registration Process Try to open a new account and see if you will be asked to submit ID documents. The legitimate online operators must verify your age, address, previous gambling records, and proof of identity, among other things. If the registration process is “simple and easy”, it is likely to be a shady operator.

Once you complete these steps, you can continue familiarizing yourself with your chosen online casino operator. For instance, you can review its game portfolio, search for your favourite games, or find the top titles from famous software platforms. Overall, many things must be considered when playing at a British Columbia casino online.

How to Tell if an Online Casino is Illegal?

If you encounter an illegal online casino, you will learn quickly why it is not a good choice. However, our task as casino site experts is to make sure you can identify and avoid such malicious gaming websites. They offer many setbacks in comparison to the top legal online casinos.

The table above emphasizes only a few factors that set the legal BC online casinos apart from the scam. There are many other things to look for. Examples include customer support methods that are difficult to find, lack of details about the company operator of the casino, no SSL encryption, laggy software, and hidden menus.

History of Online Gambling in British Columbia

Overall, this Pacific province has a short historical background in its gambling sector. The first footsteps of legal sports betting in the country were initiated in 1985 when the Canadian Criminal Code permitted provincial lotteries and parlay bets.

When it comes down to online gambling in British Columbia, its history originated in 2004 when the BCLC became the first legalized lottery corporation in the country to launch an online gambling website. Its main goal to benefit British Columbians led to the release of the B.C.-only games Lotto B.C., Pull Tabs, Extra, and BC/49.

As we entered the new millennium, the BCLC broadened its socially responsible activities by offering voluntarily self-exclusion programs and launching the PlayNow secure gambling platform in 2004. It started offering RNG online casino games in 2010, while its first live dealer game lobby was launched in 2018 in partnership with Evolution.

Online gaming has become even more popular in the 21st century, and nowadays, many legal online casinos in the province are operated by offshore companies. They are licenced in other jurisdictions, but their reliability and trustworthiness quickly made them famous among British Columbians as well.

Scams.info

Alya Gray

Casino & Sports Editor at Scams.info

Alya first got introduced to online casinos through a friend, and as a homebody, she discovered the joys of playing table games from the comfort of her own home. Her degree in journalism comes in useful when researching her content, and she is our authority on international gambling markets.

I know it can be overwhelming to sort the good from the bad. So, if I can lend a hand with that, I'm happy to.

FAQs about Online Casinos in BC

This guide includes top recommendations for playing at British Columbia casinos online and continues with a short Q&A section. It contains important details about many of the topics discussed earlier in the guide and the most frequently asked questions by players like you.

What is the best British Columbia online casino?

There are many legal BC casino sites that deserve to be among the list of top operators, and it is difficult to say who is the best. Shortly put, there is an operator with the highest rating and best performance in different gaming categories.

Is online gambling legal in British Columbia?

Yes, online gambling is legal in British Columbia. The local regulator is called the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, and it audits and licences all gambling venues on the province's territory. It also plays a part in improving gambling laws in British Columbia.

Can I play slots online in British Columbia?

Yes, each of the operators in our guide offers hundreds of slots and other top casino games. Moreover, the best slots website in BC features a portfolio with more than 4000 slots from all kinds, including jackpot games, classic 1-payline slots, Megaways, modern 5-reel games, and others.

Are online casinos in BC safe?

Yes, online casinos in British Columbia are safe to play. Many casino security features, like on-page encryption, protect your details from malicious intentions. Most importantly, all good online casinos possess local or international licences from reputable gambling regulators like the Malta Gaming Authority that are proof of trustworthiness.

Are mobile casino apps safe for British Columbians?

Yes, there are many reliable BC casinos with online apps that we can highly recommend to you. Each of them excels in the mobile gaming factor, offering thousands of games for iOS, Android, and other devices. Their games are provided by top software platforms, and many are even optimized as mobile-first.