Online Poker in British Columbia: Gambling Laws & Legality
Gambling in British Columbia (B.C.) isn’t just about taking a chance; it’s seen as a form of entertainment that includes everything from games of chance to betting and lottery schemes, especially when money’s on the line. The BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) holds the exclusive rights to operate in the gambling sector. However, there’s a little wiggle room for charitable gambling, which can be run with a license from the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch, all under BCLC’s watchful eye.
Legality of Online Poker in British Columbia Online Poker
Imagine you’re a poker enthusiast living in B.C. You’d be happy to know that BCLC has set up legal platforms for folks like you to dive into gambling activities. PlayNow is your go-to spot if you’re looking to play poker legally in the province. You need to be at least 19 years old to join the fun. Kids underage are kept away from gaming spots and any kind of gambling action.
Now, you might wonder about those offshore poker sites. Surprisingly, they aren’t blocked in B.C. They offer top-notch service and tend to attract more Canadian players than the local monopolies. Since there’s no direct accountability for players on these platforms, many prefer international giants like PokerStars, GGPoker, and 888Poker. These brands dance in what’s often called a “grey area.” Their operations in B.C. might be considered illegal, which throws a bit of a wrench into things. If something goes wrong, the provincial government might find itself powerless, leaving players to deal with offshore licensing bodies instead.
| Status | Online Poker is Legal |
| Start Date | 2004 |
| Legal Poker Rooms | PlayNow.com |
| Shared Liquidity | Yes. British Columbia with Quebec, and Manitoba. Saskatchewan expected soon. |
| Legal Sweepstakes Poker | Stake.com, GlobalPoker, clubWPT |
| Minimum Age | 19+ |
| Regulator | British Columbia Lottery Corporation |
| Tax | For professional players: 5.06% up to $47,937 and 20.5% above |
The Best British Columbia Online Poker Sites
PlayNow
PlayNow stands alone as the only legal poker room in B.C., owned by the BC Lottery Corporation. It’s a melting pot of players from British Columbia, Quebec, and Manitoba, with Saskatchewan soon joining the Canadian Poker Network (CPN). But let’s be honest, the software feels a bit like it’s from the early 2000s, and players aren’t exactly lining up for a seat. On any given day, you might see around 300 players online, enough for a handful of low-limit tables and a modest tournament. At its busiest, the room can swell to about 600 players.
If you’re new to the scene, PlayNow offers free tournaments, or freerolls, to get you started. Regular players might find the $20,000 monthly rake race enticing. They’ve also got their own twist on the classic Sit&Go with “Slot & Go,” anonymous table play, jackpots, and a sprinkle of regular tournaments.
GGPoker
GGPoker is like the cool kid on the international poker block, available to B.C. players since its inception in 2014. It shot to fame with a mix of promotions and features that keep players hooked. Think analytical tools, funded tournaments, and seamless social media integrations for sharing those winning hands. Their software? Top-tier, whether you’re on a desktop or mobile device, giving the old industry vets a run for their money. And yes, it’s fully licensed and regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority.
When you join GGPoker, they roll out the red carpet with a 100% bonus on your first deposit up to $600 or $100 in reward points to kickstart your game. Whether you’re a pro or just playing for fun, there’s a rewards program tailored for you. They offer all the popular games like Texas Hold’em and have a standout poker client that brings social elements into the mix.
PokerStars
PokerStars is a heavyweight in the poker world, boasting a massive Canadian clientele. Even though their headquarters are chilling on the Isle of Man, PokerStars delivers a vast array of tournaments and cash games, especially buzzing on Sundays. This ensures there’s always a crowd, from rookies to seasoned “fish.” Their reputation? Rock solid, with their brand safeguarded by a Malta Gaming Authority license. One neat trick they’ve got up their sleeve is separating player deposits from winnings to keep things secure.
888Poker
Stepping into the ring since the early 2000s, 888Poker has carved out a stellar reputation in the online poker arena. Over the years, it’s blossomed into one of the most highly rated gambling and poker platforms out there. They pride themselves on their revamped software, complete with 3D table graphics, multiplayer games, an integrated casino, and nonstop access to the cashier. Plus, they offer a slick mobile app that plays nice with both Android and iOS.
One of the standout features of 888Poker is their speedy withdrawals—winnings can hit your account in just a day. The platform is a haven for beginners, thanks to a plethora of soft competitors and plenty of “fish.” Newbies can enjoy a $88 deposit bonus, and the variety of deposit methods, from Visa to Bitcoin.
Sweepstakes Poker in British Columbia
Sweepstake Poker is a unique twist on traditional gambling, letting players join poker games without dipping into their real money. Instead, virtual coins like Gold Coins (GC) and Sweep Coins (SC) come into play, which you can swap for actual prizes. In B.C., platforms like clubWPT are leading the charge, offering subscriptions and tournaments that can snag you tickets to big World Poker Tour (WPT) events. And keep an eye out—Stake.ca is set to launch a local version soon, bringing similar opportunities to the table.
Stake.com
Stake.com is one of the most popular sweepstakes-format products and operates throughout Canada, except Quebec. The platform offers not only sports betting and social casino games but also the opportunity to play poker. Players from B.C. enter an international pool, where you can find several dozen gaming tables at the NL100 limit. The game will be attractive to both novice players and professionals. It is worth noting that players from Quebec cannot join tables with players from Ontario (they enter the Stake.ca pool) or with players from the USA (they belong to the Stake.us pool).
On Stake.com, you can play for free with GC or receive SC as a bonus, which can then be exchanged for real prizes. By playing with SC, you can increase their number and obtain high-value prizes.
clubWPT
clubWPT offers a subscription-based poker format. You can play social poker for free, and by purchasing a subscription, you can participate in tournaments where tickets for live tournaments of the World Poker Tour series are awarded. WPT events are also held in Canada.
GlobalPoker
GlobalPoker is a leader in the sweepstakes poker segment. This room conducts large tournament series and attracts stars to popularize poker. The ambassador of GlobalPoker is Olympic champion Michael Phelps. GlobalPoker offers the best interface for playing, a large number of tables, and a good tournament schedule that can compete with major poker rooms operating under offshore licenses. GlobalPoker is available to all provinces of Canada except Quebec.
How to Play Online Poker
Getting into online poker in B.C. is a breeze. Here’s how you can jump in:
- Start by picking a legal poker platform like PlayNow.com, GGPoker, PokerStars, or 888Poker.
- Head over to their website and hit that “Register” or “Sign Up” button to get the ball rolling.
- You’ll need to fill in your details—age, name, address, the works. Once that’s done, confirm your email by clicking the link they send you. If the platform requires it, download and install their gaming software.
- Log in with your username and password, fund your account using one of the available banking options, and you’re all set to play!
Banking Options
When it comes to handling your money in B.C., you’re spoiled for choice. Whether you prefer credit and debit cards like Visa or MasterCard, e-wallets such as PayPal, Skrill, or Neteller, bank transfers, prepaid cards like Paysafecard or Interac, or even cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, there’s an option for you. Most platforms set the minimum deposit at around $10, and many offer free deposits without any age restrictions.
Online Poker Cash Games
Online poker cash games in B.C. cater to all kinds of players, offering limits from the ultra-low $0.01/$0.02 all the way up to high-stakes $50/$100. Popular platforms host games like No Limit Hold’em (NLH) and Pot Limit Omaha (PLO), among other variants. PokerStars, for example, has Short Deck games, while GGPoker throws in everything from All-In or Fold to Five-Card Omaha. 888Poker sticks to the classics with their 9-max tables, though you might find them a bit quiet. Even with GGPoker leading the pack, player traffic rarely hits the thousands mark, even during peak hours.
Online Poker Tournament Series
If tournaments are more your style, B.C.’s online poker scene won’t disappoint. These tournaments are more diverse and grandiose compared to cash games. Every platform serves up daily tournaments with guaranteed prize pools, alongside their own exclusive tournaments and satellites leading to major events. GGPoker shines with their WSOP Online tournaments, giving players a shot at World Series of Poker gold bracelets.
Live Poker in British Columbia
For those who crave the thrill of live poker, B.C. is home to some fantastic casinos with top-notch poker rooms. Take River Rock Casino Resort Poker Room, for instance—it offers five Texas Hold’em tables with stakes starting at $100 and even features a jackpot. They’re open daily from 11:00 AM to 3:00 AM, perfect for those late-night gaming sessions.
Then there’s Grand Villa Casino Burnaby Poker Room, where you can find 12 tables of No Limit Texas Hold’em and Omaha Hi, operating around the clock. Cascades Casino Langley Poker Room isn’t far behind, with six No Limit Texas Hold’em tables and tournaments that could land you a jackpot prize. Over at Parq Vancouver Casino Poker Room, 11 Nine-handed Poker tables are available 24/7, ensuring there’s always action. Lastly, Cascades Casino Kamloops Poker Room offers several No Limit Cash Games and tournaments, plus a jackpot that can reach up to $500,000. They’re open from Thursday to Saturday, starting at 6:00 PM until the wee hours.
Gambling Tax
Good news for regular players in B.C.—gambling winnings aren’t taxed. According to Canadian tax laws (section 40(2)(f)(ii) of the Income Tax Act), your winnings from bets or prizes usually don’t count as taxable income. But, there are a few caveats. If you’re earning money through interest or dividends, like putting your winnings in a savings account or investing in dividend stocks, you’ll need to pay taxes on that income. And if poker is your main gig and you’re making money solely from gambling, your winnings are treated as business income, subject to taxes ranging from 5.06% to 20.5%, depending on how much you earn.
Problem Gambling
B.C. takes responsible gambling seriously, offering robust support for players who might be struggling. The province has rolled out a comprehensive strategy to prevent and treat issues related to excessive gambling. This strategy focuses on raising public awareness about the risks, promoting responsible play and informed choices, and providing treatment and support for those affected by gambling problems.
If you or someone you know is facing gambling issues, there are free resources available. You can call the BC Responsible Gambling Helpline at 1-888-795-6111 anytime or visit the Gambling Support BC website for more info. PlayNow also has self-control tools like setting limits and self-exclusion options. For professional help and counseling, reaching out to local organizations like CAMH (Canadian Addiction Centre for Mental Health) is a great step.
Famous Players
The most successful poker player from B.C. is Shawn Buchanan, born in 1982 in Vancouver. Buchanan first achieved success in online poker, playing under the nickname “buck21” on PokerStars. Among Shawn’s victories is the WCOOP 2007 tournament, where he won $97,262. In live poker the same year, 2007, Shawn won the WPT 2007 Mandalay Bay Poker Championship, where the prize was $768,775. In the following several years, Buchanan successfully played on the WPT, and in 2010 he was able to transfer his success to the WSOP series. There, he took second place in the WSOP 2010 No-Limit Hold’em 6-max tournament, where the prize was $812,941. Over his career, Shawn has won $7,213,510. His only WSOP bracelet was won in the online tournament WSOP Online 2019 No-Limit Hold’em 6-max, where he received $223,119 in prize money.
The second in prize winnings is Amichai Tzvi “Ami” Barer, also from Vancouver. Over his career, he has won $4,075,420 in live tournaments. In 2014, Amichai won the major Aussie Millions tournament in Melbourne, where the first prize was A$1,600,000. Later, Amichai played a large number of tournaments around the world but was unable to surpass his prize money record in the following ten years. In 2022, he won a WSOP Online bracelet by winning the Pot-Limit Omaha with Bounty tournament. It is worth noting that Amichai has achieved significant success in online poker. He began his career in March 2009 under the nickname ‘UhhMee’ and has won at least $10.5 million in tournaments. Most of his winnings came from PokerStars tournaments, where Barer was able to win WCOOP and SCOOP events. Currently, Barer plays under his own name on GGPoker.
Let’s separately highlight Terrence Chan from Vancouver. You might know Terrence for his participation in MMA fights, where he has a record of 4-2-0. However, Terrence also plays poker well and has won $1,386,558 in poker prize money. Chan began playing poker back in 1999, before he debuted at the amateur level in MMA. He taught himself to play poker, reached two final tables in WSOP tournaments, and finished in the WSOP prize money 44 times. The largest prize in Terrence’s poker career is $287,345, which he received in 2007 for second place in the 2007 WSOP No-Limit Hold’em 6-max tournament with a $2,500 buy-in. Terrence continues to play poker; in 2023, he finished in the WSOP prizes three times.
FAQ
Can I play poker with PokerStars in British Columbia?
Absolutely, you can dive into PokerStars from British Columbia! Even though PokerStars or GGPoker doesn’t officially hold a license to operate here, the authorities haven’t been too strict about shutting it down. So, you can still join the global player pool and enjoy your favorite games. Just a heads up, you might not run into players from Ontario, but you’ll still find plenty of action and fun.
What is PlayNow Poker?
PlayNow.com is your friendly neighborhood poker room, crafted by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC). It’s the only legal spot to play poker in B.C., holding the exclusive rights to keep things running smoothly. Being part of the Canadian Poker Network (CPN), it shares a vibrant player pool with friends in Quebec and Manitoba.
Can I play Stake.com from British Columbia?
Yes, you can! Stake.com is a cool sweepstakes platform that not only offers a social casino vibe but also lets you play poker. It welcomes players from British Columbia and several other Canadian provinces, though it skips Ontario and Quebec. When you play, you’re part of a global player pool, excluding Ontario’s Stake.ca pool and the USA’s Stake.us pool.
Do I need to pay taxes on my winnings?
In British Columbia, your gambling winnings are tax-free! According to Canadian tax laws, if you’re just playing for fun, you don’t need to worry about Uncle Sam taking a cut. However, if poker is your main hustle and you’re raking in the dough consistently, those winnings are considered business income. In that case, you’ll need to pay taxes ranging from 5.06% to 20.5%, depending on how much you earn.
Do Canadian players need to provide personal information?
Yep, they do. All licensed poker rooms in Canada stick to the KYC (Know Your Customer) policy like glue. Before you can start playing, you’ll need to go through a verification process. This means providing some documents to prove who you are and that you’re old enough to play.
At what age can I start playing online poker?
If you’re dreaming of hitting the virtual tables, make sure you’re at least 19 years old to play online poker in British Columbia. During the sign-up process, you’ll need to verify your age with some official documents.
Can I play free poker in BC?
If you’re not ready to bet real money just yet, platforms like PlayNow.com and clubWPT offer free poker games. It’s a fantastic way to practice your skills, get a feel for the game, and just enjoy some poker action without any financial commitment.
Is sweepstakes legal in BC?
Yes, sweepstakes are totally legal in British Columbia. You can jump into poker games on platforms like clubWPT, which let you play social poker and have a chance to win real prizes.
Is online poker in Canada regulated by the country or separate provinces?
Gambling regulation in Canada is handled at the provincial level, which means each province has its own set of rules. For instance, Ontario issues licenses to international companies if they set up a local office, while British Columbia has a legal monopoly through the BC Lottery Corporation. So, depending on where you are, the regulations can vary quite a bit.
Do customer support agents speak English and French?
Most international poker platforms have you covered with customer service in both English and French. Whether you need help with the gaming client, have questions about your account, or need support with payment systems, you can expect assistance in either language.