B.C. Gambling Shifts Online as Riskier Play Grows

Gambling among British Columbians is down compared to 6 years ago, though the few who still gamble tend to do so online and assume more risks, a new study by the provincial government reveals. Problem gambling is also on the rise, raising further concerns that the Ministry of Public Safety and the Province’s gambling authority must now address.

Read more Dyna Mule Slot Review

Less Gamblers, More Risks

The Independent Gambling Control Office said the overall prevalence of gambling in the province has declined over the past two years, based on a Leger poll conducted among 4,163 British Columbians. While about 85% of participants surveyed in 2020 had gambled within one year prior to the survey, the current number stands at 77%.

The authority added, however, that the proportion of people with moderate-to-high risk gambling behavior has increased over the last 6 years from 18% to 24%. Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General of British Columbia, Nina Krieger, has pointed out that moderate-to-high risk gambling is a matter that needs to be dealt with.

Online Gambling Expands

Many of these risks have been attributed to the development of gambling activities on the Internet. Engagement in Internet gambling activities has grown almost two-fold since 2020, growing from 22% in 2020 to 42% in 2026 among gamblers. Risk level is highly differentiated based on gambling type, with 35% of online gamblers having moderate or high risk compared to 24% for land-based gamblers.

The figure rises further among users of non-regulated online platforms. According to the report, 52% of active players on non-regulated sites reported more risky behaviour. Krieger said the Independent Gambling Control Office is working to respond to the surge in unregulated sports betting and online gambling advertising in B.C. and to keep people safe from harm.

PlayNow And Illegal Betting

The report said PlayNow, the provincial government’s platform, is the only technically legal online source for in-game sports bets in B.C. Even so, the province is facing a steady stream of betting ads appearing on people’s phones, which the regulator said makes enforcement difficult.

Read more 2026 World Cup of Darts: Draw, schedule, prize money and format explained

The issue is made more complex by the scale of the illegal market. While Krieger did not mention it in her statement, Finance Minister Brenda Bailey estimated last month that $441 million in illegal online gambling takes place in the province each year, compared with about $454 million generated legally through PlayNow, according to the B.C. Lottery Corporation.

The average B.C. gambler spends $211.40 a month on gambling, and nearly two-thirds of online gamblers, or 64%, say they are registered with a BCLC platform. The regulator said that, unlike offshore online platforms, BCLC’s net proceeds support public infrastructure and services, including gambling addiction programs.

Action Plan And Support

The regulator’s June 2026 BC Problem Gambling Action Plan says Krieger’s office has asked the federal government to develop a national framework to address gambling advertising and reduce exposure to gambling-related harm across Canadian jurisdictions. The plan also calls for better educational tools to help reduce risk.

Particular attention will be paid to reaching out to individuals who are at increased risk of harm, such as financially stressed individuals, indigenous, and racialized populations, new immigrants, and people living with disabilities. The ministry and regulator also said Gambling Support BC has expanded its support programs through a partnership with Telus Health.

Rachel Cheng, executive director of strategic policy and gambling support at the IGCO, said problem gambling can have serious effects on both individuals and families. Sam MacLeod, general manager of the IGCO, said the office is committed to ensuring gambling is regulated responsibly and in the public interest, and added that it will continue to take concrete steps in response to rising problem gambling rates and the study’s recommendations.

Read more Why Xherdan Shaqiri isn’t playing for Switzerland at the World Cup

Source: Business in Vancouver