Casinos: Bringing People Together
Across British Columbia, 36 casinos and community gaming centres create moments of excitement and opportunities for human connection—from slots and table games, to restaurants and live entertainment.
33
communities host a gambling facility in B.C.
13.7k
slot machines in casinos and community gaming centres
467
table games in BCLC gaming facilities
Our role
As the Crown corporation responsible for gambling in B.C., we set the standards, policies, and procedures for all gambling facilities, ensuring security, integrity, and responsible play.
We oversee gaming operations, monitor equipment, and work closely with private sector partners who manage day-to-day operations. Online, we offer lottery tickets, sports betting, and casino games through PlayNow, B.C.’s only regulated gambling website.
Where We Operate
We create shared moments in 33 communities across B.C. at:
- 25 casinos (including two at racetracks)
- 1 bingo hall
- 11 community gaming centres
Understanding Gambling
Learn more about the games you play, including concepts like odds and randomness, to make informed choices.
Casino Development and Community Benefits
We regularly assess the market to ensure gaming meets the needs of British Columbians. These assessments help determine where new facilities could be added, or existing ones improved—creating win-wins for communities across the province.
Gaming facility locations are developed in collaboration with host local governments, including municipalities and First Nations. These communities benefit directly through revenue-sharing agreements, receiving 10% of the net income from local gaming facilities to support vital programs and services that make B.C. a better place to live.
How We Evaluate New Gaming Facilities
At BCLC, we follow a structured process to ensure new gaming facilities align with community needs, economic potential, and our commitment to social purpose. Our evaluation process includes:
All gambling revenues are delivered back to the province to support community programs, services and grants throughout B.C.
Service providers (Operational services agreement)
Service providers either own or lease gaming facilities and maintain these operations in co-operation with BCLC. They hire staff, provide surveillance and security, and manage day-to-day operations.
Every service provider must be registered by our provincial regulator, the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB), and must adhere to the rules and regulations as outlined by BCLC. Providers enter into a contract with BCLC by signing an Operational Service Agreement and receive commissions based on the gambling revenue that facilities generate. As part of the partnership, service providers must agree to:
- Provide and maintain facilities
- Follow BCLC gambling standards, policies and procedures
- Provide and operate surveillance equipment
- Manage slot machines, table games and bingo games
- Provide accounting and financial management
- Comply with provincial and federal laws regulating commercial gambling
- Participate in compliance reviews and audits
BCLC has lottery operations in nearly every community across the province, including nearly 3,500 lottery outlets and 36 casinos or community gaming centres in municipalities and First Nations’ communities. The revenue generated through gambling is used to fund important community initiatives, programs and infrastructure throughout B.C.
