PlayNow in British Columbia and Manitoba: who runs it and what it documents
As of 2026-11-13, PlayNow is the public platform in two provinces: in British Columbia run by BCLC and regulated by the IGCO since 2026-04-13, and in Manitoba run by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries. Ages are 19+ and 18+ per our notes. There is no registry of private brands here; this page sets out what each platform documents.
Checked by the editorial team on
- 4 min read
- 11 sections
- 1 table
- 5 FAQ
Two platforms under one name
The name is shared, the operators are not. Each province has its own corporation, regulator and rules.
| Item | British Columbia (BC) | Manitoba (MB) |
|---|---|---|
| Operator | BCLC | Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries |
| Regulator | Independent Gambling Control Office (IGCO) since 2026-04-13 | Not published |
| Minimum age | 19+ | 18+ |
| Private operators | No registry; public platform | No registry; public platform |
| Self-exclusion | Mandatory on PlayNow (per notes) | Not confirmed |
| Help line | Gambling Support BC 1-888-795-6111, 24/7 | Not confirmed |
Bottom line: PlayNow BC and PlayNow MB are two operators, and the Manitoba details are the less certain of the two.
Payment methods listed
The PlayNow page recorded in our notes lists seven methods: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Interac e-Transfer, PayPal, Online Bill Payment and Web Cash.
That list comes from the British Columbia platform. We do not assume it for Manitoba. Minimums, maximums and fees are not published here; they go in the payment methods table with a date.
The regulator change in British Columbia
Until 2026-04-13 a different body oversaw gambling in British Columbia. The IGCO took over by the provincial announcement of 2025-12-02. Our page on the IGCO change gives the detail. For the province as a whole, see British Columbia.
Manitoba's regulator is not published in our notes, so we name none.
Help lines and why Manitoba is open
On the PlayNow MB page, two numbers stand together under one heading with no labels: 1-800-463-1554 and 1-888-795-6111. The second is the Gambling Support BC number, so we cannot tell which one serves Manitoba.
For that reason no Manitoba number appears on this site as a recommendation. We will add one after confirmation with Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries. See Manitoba for the same gap in context.
How it differs from private operators
In Ontario and Alberta you check a brand against a registry. In British Columbia and Manitoba there is nothing to look up: the lawful online option is the platform of the province, and a private brand is not part of it.
The rule is explained in betting rules province by province.
How to verify it yourself
Open the PlayNow page for your province, not the other one. Check the operator named in the footer, the age rule, the payment list and the self-exclusion options. Then look for the help line and read who is named as its provider.
If you live in Manitoba, treat any number copied from British Columbia as unconfirmed until the Manitoba page labels it.
What we did not check
- The PlayNow pages on the publishing date.
- The Manitoba regulator, self-exclusion and payment list.
- Sports rules, limits and the app listing.
- Any opinion from a review. We hold none for PlayNow.
We did not test either platform.
How we checked
- We read our notes on BCLC, IGCO and Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries.
- We kept British Columbia and Manitoba in separate columns.
- We left each unconfirmed cell as it is, rather than copy it across.
Sources
- BCLC, PlayNow and the provincial announcement of 2025-12-02, as read for our notes
- Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, PlayNow MB page, as read for our notes
- How we compare provinces
What changed
- : page created; Manitoba help line and regulator left open.
Before you bet
In British Columbia the age is 19+; in Manitoba, 18+. 19+ in Ontario and British Columbia; 18+ in Alberta, Manitoba and Québec. Gambling involves risk. Play responsibly. Need help? See help lines by province.
FAQ
Who runs PlayNow in British Columbia?
PlayNow BC is run by BCLC. The regulator since 2026-04-13 is the Independent Gambling Control Office (IGCO), per the provincial government's announcement of 2025-12-02.
Who runs PlayNow in Manitoba?
PlayNow MB is run by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, a provincial body. We record it as a monopoly, with no registry of private operators.
What are the age limits?
19+ in British Columbia and 18+ in Manitoba, per our notes. Both are re-checked against the PlayNow pages on the publishing date.
Which payment methods does PlayNow list?
The PlayNow page in our notes lists Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Interac e-Transfer, PayPal, Online Bill Payment and Web Cash. Whether the Manitoba site lists the same set is not confirmed.
Which help line applies in Manitoba?
Not confirmed. The PlayNow MB page shows two numbers without labels, and one matches the British Columbia line. We publish a Manitoba number only after checking with Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries.