BC Government Under Pressure to Remove PlayNow Monopoly to Enable Healthy Competition

The Investigative Journalism Foundation suggests that BC residents are betting billions of Canadian dollars on unregulated online gambling sites, with some estimates showing around $5.3 billion each year. Even PlayNow can’t match this number in its annual revenue, which is disappointing because it’s the only legalized online gambling platform within the province that is fully operated by the BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC). Many call the BCLC platform a monopoly that only prevents the province from achieving better revenues, which has led to widespread lobbying to remove the website’s power over potential competition.

 

Accessing international sites has nothing to do with bypassing provincial regulations for many locals. It’s about the lack of alternatives and variety. PlayNow is the only licensed operator in British Columbia, but players are looking for a wider selection of games, more diverse promotions, and faster withdrawals. Card Player reviewed which sites pay out the quickest, showing how locals are enjoying these offshore sites because they can withdraw their winnings within just 5 minutes at some instant casinos. 

 

These sites also welcome different payment methods that appeal to modern players, including crypto, mobile payments, e-wallets, e-checks, and prepaid cards. PlayNow can’t compete with these platforms that deliver fast payouts while offering a much broader selection of popular and upcoming casino games. The offshore gambling sites also provide security as they are regulated in different jurisdictions around the world. 

 

Meanwhile, PlayNow launched in 2004 and first offered online lotteries before expanding to casino games and sports betting in 2010. The locally-operated platform has generated impressive revenues and has become a reliable and predictable source of income. Still, the online gambling landscape has changed completely in the last decade. Other provinces successfully opened their markets to private operators, including Ontario, and many other US states and European jurisdictions have dropped the single-operator model to encourage competition.

 

Ontario is the ideal example of what could happen if online gambling was opened to private operators within the province in 2022. Dozens of licensed operators have been able to contribute to provincial taxes, with Ontario reporting a 32% year-on-year increase with $3.2 billion generated in 2024. That figure makes up for the lost revenues spent on offshore operators because of a lack of options within the province. Alberta is now preparing a similar system with Larry Spagnalo, the Chair of Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis (AGLC), working closely with the government to develop a regulated and open iGaming market. 

 

Bill 48, or the iGaming Alberta Act, aims to remove the red tape by implementing a framework that allows the AGLC to regulate iGaming in the province with the help of a new Crown agency that will provide oversight for local operations. It’s designed to bring Play Alberta’s monopoly to an end so that incensed private operators can compete. Play Alberta generated an impressive $235 million in net sales in 2024, which was up $42 million from the previous year. The platform is estimated to capture 45% of the total provincial market. Still, local lobbyists saw the growth potential when removing the monopoly. 

 

BC now faces a similar debate. The Canadian Online Gaming Alliance (COGA) has lobbied provincial policymakers for years now, explaining how competition would benefit provincial budgets and players. The position is clear: letting private operators run their platforms in the province would help the local government capture and sustain the billions spent on offshore gambling. Ontario and Alberta are already making headlines, and it’s time BC joins. 

 

Competition allows players to experience innovative technology, greater game variety, stronger promotions, and faster payment processing from multiple operators. British Columbians are attracted to offshore sites because of these features. Allowing private operators to compete would bring the same benefits to locals while keeping closer oversight on the industry. 

 

The financial incentives are impressive enough. Bringing the income generated through offshore gambling to the province could generate employment, support local partnerships, and increase provincial tax revenue to increase various budgets. The government could strengthen the local economy by removing PlayNow’s monopoly. 

 

The BCLC acknowledges the competitive pressures, even if it hasn’t indicated any plans to end the PlayNow monopoly yet. The Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General spokesperson has confirmed that no efforts have yet been made to end the monopoly. However, lobbying will continue because persistent advocacy and strong evidence show the potential for opening the doors to private operators. 

 

The BCLC 2025 report shows that the monopoly has generated $1.408 billion in net income in the 2024/25 fiscal year and plans to increase game options from 560 to over 700. However, that falls far short of the billions Canadians are spending on offshore sites. The BCLC’s PlayNow platform is also not the only contributor to the income generated because some locals still access lotteries through local stores. The latest service plan also aims to address how offshore entertainment platforms target BC locals with advertising and other digital campaigns, hoping to reinforce the monopoly model. 

 

Alberta shows that reform is possible and probable. Combining private competition with government oversight is a balance BC officials need to achieve. Residents will continue seeking alternatives while the BC government mulls over the idea. Monopolies don’t serve the modern consumer’s needs and expectations when accessibility has become a must-have feature for any operator. Instead, the province could expand local revenues by allowing consumers to make their own choice while maintaining compliance. 

 

Encouraging private sector competition could welcome gaming technology innovations, customer service improvements, and reimagined interface designs. Meanwhile, these opportunities will unlock new ventures for locals seeking careers in the iGaming industry. There would be a sudden expansion to the technology, customer service, and UX job ladders, improving the local economy in another way. 

 

While locals continue wagering billions outside of the province, the need to open BC’s iGaming market to private operators only becomes stronger. Residents and officials could benefit through increased taxes, more jobs, bustling economic activity, and variety that keeps business local when implementing a structured framework that guides operators and regulators. 

 

While PlayNow certainly serves the province well, the modern landscape has changed. Locals are ready for more games, innovative features, and a digital experience that PlayNow can’t always offer. Expanding the legal market will stop those additional funds from leaving the province, creating a sustainable and thriving online gambling ecosystem that serves everyone better. Officials should continue watching the models thrive in Alberta and Ontario while lobbyists carry on making the case for competitive iGaming in the province.