British Columbia's new gambling regulator: what changed on April 13, 2026
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.
Checked by the editorial team on
- 2 min read
- 7 sections
- 1 table
- 4 FAQ
Before and after, as the sources show it
| 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.
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 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, where private operators are registered.
How we checked
- We read the government release of 2025-12-02.
- We read the Gambling Support BC page (dated 2026-04-13) and the PlayNow help page.
- Whether GPEB still exists in any form is not something we could confirm.
Sources
What changed
- : first version.
Age and help
19+ in British Columbia. Gambling involves risk. Play responsibly. Need help? See help lines by province. 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.