# British Columbia's new gambling regulator: what changed on April 13, 2026

> From April 13, 2026, the IGCO replaces GPEB as British Columbia's gambling regulator, per a government release. BCLC and PlayNow stay as operator.

Source: https://reviewstandings.com/bc-igco-replaces-gpeb-2026-04-13/
Updated: 2026-11-13

Since April 13, 2026, British Columbia's gambling regulator is the Independent Gambling Control Office (IGCO), which replaces GPEB, according to a provincial government release dated December 2, 2025. BCLC and its PlayNow platform remain the operator. The minimum age stays 19+, and there is no registry of private operators to check.

## Before and after, as the sources show it

**British Columbia changes · BC government release and Gambling Support BC page · checked 2026-11-13**

| Item | Before 2026-04-13 | From 2026-04-13 |
|---|---|---|
| Regulator (BC) | GPEB | IGCO |
| Law | Not confirmed | New Gaming Control Act announced in the 2025-12-02 release |
| Operator (BC) | BCLC, PlayNow | BCLC, PlayNow (unchanged) |
| Help line | Not confirmed | Gambling Support BC, 1-888-795-6111, 24/7 |

**Takeaway:** the regulator's name changed; the operator we point readers to did not.

## What it means for readers

For a reader in British Columbia, nothing changes in where legal online betting is offered: the provincial platform, PlayNow. The regulator behind it has a new name.

We do not list private operators for British Columbia, because we found no registry for them. A brand that is registered in Ontario or Alberta is not shown as available in British Columbia.

The minimum age is 19+. For help, see [help lines by province](https://reviewstandings.com/responsible-gambling/).

**Takeaway:** in British Columbia we point only to the provincial platform and its help pages.

## What this changes on our site

- Pages that named GPEB as regulator now name IGCO from 2026-04-13.
- The regulator table on the [Criminal Code page](https://reviewstandings.com/criminal-code-section-207-and-c218/) shows both names with the date.
- We have not recorded what the new law changes for players, so we make no claim on it.

Compare with [Alberta's change](https://reviewstandings.com/alberta-regulated-market-opens-2026-07-13/), where private operators are registered.

## How we checked

1. We read the government release of 2025-12-02.
2. We read the Gambling Support BC page (dated 2026-04-13) and the PlayNow help page.
3. Whether GPEB still exists in any form is not something we could confirm.

## Sources

- [BC government news release on the Gaming Control Act and IGCO (2025-12-02)](https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025PSSG0067-001192)
- [Gambling Support BC (2026-04-13)](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/gambling-fundraising/gambling-support-bc)
- [PlayNow help](https://www.playnow.com/about-playnow/help.html)

## What changed

- 2026-11-13: first version.

## Age and help

19+ in British Columbia. Gambling involves risk. Play responsibly. Need help? See [help lines by province](https://reviewstandings.com/responsible-gambling/). Not an official site of any operator or regulator.

## FAQ

**Who regulates gambling in British Columbia from April 13, 2026?**

The Independent Gambling Control Office (IGCO), according to the provincial government release of 2025-12-02, which also announced a new Gaming Control Act. GPEB held that role before.

**Who operates online betting in British Columbia?**

BCLC, through PlayNow. We found no registry of private operators for the province, so we list only the provincial platform for British Columbia.

**What is the minimum age in British Columbia?**

19+, according to the Gambling Support BC and PlayNow pages.

**Where can I get help in British Columbia?**

Gambling Support BC, 1-888-795-6111, listed as available 24/7 on the provincial page updated on 2026-04-13.