British Columbia Lottery Corporation

History and Establishment

Lotteries in British Columbia were initially managed as part of the Western Canada Lottery Corporation, a consortium with Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. In 1985, British Columbia left this partnership to establish its own provincial lottery corporation, the BCLC. Early lottery revenue was used to help subsidize the Expo 86 world's fair held in Vancouver. The corporation later served as a partner for the 2010 Winter Olympics, launching a special scratch-and-win game called SportFunder in 2006 to fund amateur sports, with grand prizes including tickets to the Games' opening ceremony. A major milestone was reached in 2010 when BCLC launched PlayNow.com, Canada's first legal online casino, expanding its digital footprint. The platform later expanded into Manitoba in January 2013 through a partnership with the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation. In 2016, PlayNow Sports allowed betting on the U.S. presidential election, which became its most-wagered event at the time with around $800,000 in wagers, a record surpassed in 2020 with over $4.5 million in election bets. In 2019, BCLC contracted Intralot to develop a new retail lottery system. The new cloud-based infrastructure went online in May 2024, accompanied by upgrades to its self-service terminals. The retail sportsbook was relaunched as ProLine in September 2024 under a revamped platform by Intralot. That same year, BCLC established an AI and Data Innovation Hub in partnership with UK-based Future Anthem to explore artificial intelligence applications for its products and services.

Corporate Structure and Governance

The British Columbia Lottery Corporation operates under the authority of British Columbia's Gaming Control Act. It is led by a board of directors appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council and reports to the provincial Minister of Finance. The corporation's gaming activities are regulated and overseen by the Independent Gambling Control Office, a body established following the recommendations of the Cullen Commission into money laundering. Prior to April 13, 2026, BCLC reported to the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch within the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. The shift to the IGCO was part of legislative reforms aimed at strengthening oversight and integrity in the province's gaming sector. The corporation's main headquarters are located in Kamloops, where it is one of the city's largest employers with approximately 500 staff. A 2025 study by Thompson Rivers University found that BCLC has contributed at least $2.52 billion to the Kamloops economy through its operations, employment, and support for local causes.

Lottery Products and Draw Games

BCLC sells a wide array of lottery products through thousands of retail locations and a network of self-service terminals in licensed establishments like bars and restaurants across the province. As a member of the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation, BCLC participates in major national draw games including Lotto 6/49, Lotto Max, and Daily Grand. Lotto Max jackpots start at $10 million weekly and can grow to a maximum of $60 million. The corporation also operates several British Columbia-exclusive games that are popular with local players. These regional offerings provide distinct play styles and frequent draw opportunities for participants. For the fiscal year 2025/26, BCLC reported paying out $813 million in lottery prizes to winners across the province. The following table outlines key features of BCLC's primary draw games, including their jackpot structures and draw frequencies.

Key B.C.-only lottery games include BC 49, a regional version of Lotto 6/49 with draws on Wednesdays and Saturdays offering a fixed jackpot of $2 million per draw. BC 50/50 is a 50/50 raffle with drawings held four times daily at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 6 p.m., and 9 p.m. Pacific Time. Keno is a fast-paced numbers game with frequent draws, and Pacific Hold'Em Poker is a Texas hold 'em-based game with draws held every six minutes. The corporation also releases themed Scratch & Win tickets.

Casino and Community Gaming Operations

BCLC oversees all brick-and-mortar gaming facilities in British Columbia, which are operated by private companies under service agreements with the corporation. As of the 2025-26 fiscal year, the provincial network included 22 full-service casinos and 12 community gaming centres. Community gaming centres are smaller-scale venues that modernized the province's older bingo parlours, focusing on slot machines, bingo, food service, and entertainment. BCLC began to deploy the community gaming centre concept in 2004. A loyalty program called Encore Rewards is offered across all BC casino properties. In the mid-2020s, a significant shift occurred as many commercial casinos began to be acquired by First Nations-run companies. Great Canadian Gaming sold nearly all its BC properties, including the major River Rock resort in Richmond, to First Nations entities. The company retained its Chances community gaming centre in Dawson Creek. Despite this change in ownership, these facilities continue to be classified and regulated as commercial casinos under BCLC's oversight, not as tribal casinos. The corporation's casino segment is its largest revenue driver, accounting for 65% of its total net revenue of $1.408 billion in the 2024-25 fiscal year.

Online and Sports Betting Platforms

BCLC operates the PlayNow.com online platform, which offers slots, table games, lottery ticket sales, and sports betting exclusively to adults in British Columbia. PlayNow is also the licensed online operator in Manitoba through the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corporation and in Saskatchewan via the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority. The corporation has raised concerns about competition from grey market online gambling services licensed in other jurisdictions, such as Ontario, which market to BC residents through television ads and media partnerships. For sports betting, BCLC offers online wagering through PlayNow Sports and retail betting under the ProLine brand. The retail sportsbook underwent a significant transformation in 2024, which included discontinuing the 33-year-old Sports Action product in May and relaunching ProLine in September on a new Intralot platform designed to better compete with grey market books by offering more betting options, including a focus on regional teams. The new ProLine transitioned to a fully paperless model where users build bets on a mobile app and scan a QR code at a retailer, making BCLC the first provincial operator to discontinue paper selection slips entirely. In February 2025, BCLC began opening dedicated ProLine Sportsbook Lounges at selected casinos, including the Parq Vancouver.

Responsible Gambling and Player Protection

BCLC implements several programs focused on responsible gambling and player protection, central to its operational mandate. In 2009, it launched the GameSense campaign, which provides resources on how games work, the odds of winning and losing, and tools for gambling within personal limits. GameSense booths are located on casino floors, and trained GameSense Advisors are available in person, online, or by phone for confidential support. The program has been licensed to other Canadian gaming operators, including Alberta's AGLC and Saskatchewan's SIGA and LGS, and to entities in the United States like the state of Massachusetts and MGM Resorts International. In 2019, BCLC introduced PlayPlanner, an optional service allowing customers to set time and spending limits on electronic gaming machines. The corporation's self-exclusion program, rebranded as Game Break in 2023, allows individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from gambling venues and online play for periods of six months to three years. A policy instituted in 2023 requires all patrons to present valid identification upon arrival at BC casinos to enhance the enforcement of self-exclusion and for security reasons. Individuals wishing to return to gambling after a self-exclusion term must complete an online reflection course called Game Plan, available in English, Simplified Chinese, and Punjabi.

Individuals can enrol in the Game Break self-exclusion program through several methods. They can enrol in person at a BC casino, a community gaming centre, or the Kamloops BCLC office. They can also enrol online via their account on PlayNow.com or the BCLC Lotto! App, which will exclude them from online and app gambling. Alternatively, they can call customer support at 1-866-815-0222 for more information or to set up a virtual appointment with a GameSense Advisor. Thirty days before a term expires, individuals receive an email with a link to the Game Plan online course. After completing the course and submitting the online Return to Play form, BCLC will email within seven days to confirm when the individual can return to play.

• In person at any BC casino or community gaming centre by speaking to casino staff or a GameSense Advisor.
• In person at the BCLC office in Kamloops.
• By calling customer support at 1-866-815-0222 for information or to set an appointment.
• Virtually with a BCLC GameSense Advisor by calling 1-866-815-0222 and pressing prompt '3'.
• Online via PlayNow.com or the BCLC Lotto! App through the 'Take a Game Break' menu, which applies only to online and app gambling.

Revenue Distribution and Community Impact

Revenue generated by BCLC's operations is directed to provincial programs and charitable causes, forming a significant contribution to British Columbia's public finances. Funds support healthcare, education, and community programs across the province. A legislated portion, 7% of all BCLC revenue, is distributed to First Nations communities in British Columbia. The corporation also directly supports specific initiatives like the BC Children's Hospital Dream Lottery. The economic impact of BCLC extends beyond direct government transfers, particularly in its headquarters city of Kamloops. A 2025 study by Thompson Rivers University quantified this impact, finding BCLC has contributed at least $2.52 billion to the Kamloops economy through its operations, employment, and support for local causes. The corporation's financial performance is segmented into casino and community gaming, lottery, and iGaming.

Money Laundering Inquiry and Regulatory Reform

BCLC faced significant scrutiny following a provincial inquiry into money laundering linked to its casinos. In May 2019, the BC government launched the Cullen Commission, led by Supreme Court Justice Austin Cullen, to investigate reports of widespread money laundering. The commission's findings, released in a final report, were highly critical of BCLC and other parties. It concluded that BCLC had actively ignored repeated warnings from law enforcement about money laundering activities, primarily by Chinese transnational drug syndicates, until at least 2015. The commission stated the corporation demonstrated a completely unacceptable and unreasonable risk tolerance. It specifically noted that former BCLC CEO Michael Graydon had prioritized corporate profits, including efforts to attract VIP baccarat players from Macau, over responsible operations. The commission also questioned the conduct of former gaming minister Rich Coleman, noting he arranged reviews but did not act on warnings about suspicious cash transactions. Following the commission's recommendations and earlier Dirty Money reports by Peter German, the BC government passed revisions to the Gaming Control Act. Effective April 13, 2026, these reforms established the Independent Gambling Control Office as the new regulator for BCLC, charitable gaming, and horse racing, replacing the previous Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch.

Customer Service and Dispute Resolution

BCLC provides multiple channels for customer service, prize claims, and dispute resolution. Players can check winning numbers and claim prizes through the official lotto.bclc.com website or the corporate claims page. Customer support is available by phone at 1-866-815-0222, with phone and online chat hours from 7 a.m. to midnight daily, and a 24/7 live chat function on PlayNow.com. The corporation also investigates complaints from individuals who believe they were treated unfairly or should have won a prize. Complaints can be submitted by phone or through an online email form. BCLC's office hours for general inquiries are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., while GameSense Advisors are available during the extended support hours. For problem gambling support, BCLC directs individuals to provincial help lines including the Gambling Support BC Line at 1-888-795-6111. The corporation's accountability mechanisms include oversight by the provincial Ombudsperson, which has investigated and resolved customer complaints against PlayNow operations in the past.

BCLC offers several specific support lines and resources for individuals seeking help with gambling-related issues. These include the Problem Gambling Help Line at 1-888-795-6111 for British Columbia residents. For Saskatchewan residents, the Saskatchewan Problem Gambling Help Line is 1-800-306-6789. BCLC also provides GameSense Advisors who can be reached by calling 1-866-815-0222 and pressing prompt '3'. These contacts are available to residents of provinces where BCLC operates.

• Problem Gambling Help Line: 1-800-463-1554
• Gambling Support BC Line: 1-888-795-6111
• Saskatchewan Problem Gambling Help Line: 1-800-306-6789
• GameSense Advisor support: 1-866-815-0222 (press prompt '3')
• Customer Support Centre: 1-877-706-6789

Questions about British Columbia Lottery Corporation

What is PlayNow and is it legal in BC?

PlayNow is the online gambling website owned and operated by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. Launched in 2010 as Canada's first legal online casino, it is the only 100 per cent legal and regulated online gambling site in British Columbia. The platform offers lottery ticket sales, casino games like slots and table games, and sports betting. Profits from PlayNow go back to the province to fund community programs. The site is also available in Manitoba and Saskatchewan through partnerships with those provinces' gaming authorities, but it is exclusively for adults in those jurisdictions.

Where can I check BCLC winning numbers for Lotto Max or 6/49?

Winning numbers for BCLC lottery draws, including national games like Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49, are available on the official BCLC lottery website at lotto.bclc.com. Players can also check results through the PlayNow.com website or the BCLC Lotto! mobile app. The corporation posts results shortly after each draw. Historical results and prize payout information are accessible online for verification.

How does BCLC Keno work?

Keno is a fast-paced numbers game offered by BCLC where players select numbers for a chance to win based on a draw. It is one of several B.C.-only games available alongside national lottery products. Keno draws are held frequently, providing multiple opportunities to win throughout the day. Like all BCLC lottery games, Keno tickets can be purchased at licensed retail locations across the province or online through the PlayNow platform. Winnings are subject to the game's specific rules and odds, which are detailed in GameSense materials to help players make informed decisions.

What happened to BCLC Sports Action?

BCLC's retail sports betting product, Sports Action, was discontinued in May 2024 after 33 years of operation. This was part of a major system migration to a new cloud-based lottery infrastructure developed by Intralot. The sports betting product was relaunched under a new and improved platform as ProLine in September 2024. The new ProLine offers a wider array of betting options, including a greater focus on regional teams, and uses a fully paperless model where bets are built on a mobile app and confirmed via QR code at a retailer.

What is the BCLC 50/50 game?

BC 50/50 is a raffle-style game operated exclusively in British Columbia where the prize pool is half of the total ticket sales for that draw. Drawings are held four times per day at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 6 p.m., and 9 p.m. Pacific Time. This offers players frequent opportunities to win a potentially large, variable jackpot that grows with ticket sales. It is one of the five B.C.-only lottery games available, distinct from the national lottery offerings. Tickets can be purchased at retail locations or online via PlayNow.

How can I self-exclude from BCLC gambling sites and casinos?

BCLC offers a voluntary self-exclusion program called Game Break. Individuals can exclude themselves from all BC casinos, community gaming centres, and/or the PlayNow online site for periods of six months, one, two, or three years. You can enrol in person at any BC casino or the Kamloops BCLC office, by calling customer support at 1-866-815-0222 to speak with a GameSense Advisor, or online through your PlayNow.com account settings. After the exclusion term, individuals must complete an online course called Game Plan and submit a Return to Play form before they can gamble again. The program is designed to help those experiencing difficulties regain control.

Sources and further reading

• British Columbia Lottery Corporation (Wikipedia)
• Lotto Max | BC Lottery (playnow.com)
• BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) - Agency Details (bc.211.ca)
• PlayNow, BCLC's online LOTTERY, SPORTS & CASINO (playnow.com)

Checked by the Nosy Mag desk. Last updated 2026-11-07.