British Columbia is the third largest province in Canada. It offers beauty fun and excitement, not just in the surrounding nature, but also in the gaming environment.
There are over 30 casinos that offer a wide variety of gaming. Although not as large and glamorous as the Vegas Strip mega casinos, there is plenty of good action to be had. You will be able to find all the popular table games, slots and poker. There is also plenty of casino cum hotels, so if you are looking to spend the night just to chill out and relax, it’s easy to find.
In the past several years the casino industry in British Columbia has changed its landscape tremendously. What used to be very limited gaming options has now expanded to included all forms: From table games, slot machines, bingo and horse racing, and sports betting.
Top 5 British Columbia Online Casinos
British Columbia Online Casinos
There is both onshore and offshore online casino providers in the BC market. They are neck and neck in terms of turnover with offshore just slightly ahead on $125m for the year 2018. Onshore wasn’t far behind for the year on $120m.
Overview of British Columbia Casinos
There are approximately 17 land based casinos in British Columbia, with approximately $14.1b in revenue turnover!
The largest casino is River Rock in Richmond, with approximately $328m of turnover per year.
British Columbia Casinos
River Rock in Richmond
River Rock Casino Hotel Richmond, 8811 River Rd, Richmond, British Columbia
Great for non smokers, and families. The indoor pool is fantastic with a water slide snaking through a “rain forest” theme. Plus there is a hot tub to get rid of all the stress of day to day life. The rooms are large and spacious, with comfy beds and bathrooms fit for royalty.
The location of the resort is simply stunning. Residing on a marina, you will be able to see water views with the back drop of the mountains in the distance.
The food – fine dining and casual – is simply superb. Check out the Curve Lounge for dinner. And for those who love Chinese food, you can’t go past the Cantonese cuisine on offer.
The casino is very convenient to get to from Vancouver city, plus very close to the airport. Hop on a train, and in approximately 45 minutes you will arrive.
Minimum age: 19
Opening hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Hard Rock Casino Vancouver
2080 United Blvd, Coquitlam, British Columbia
80,000 sq ft gaming floor with over 950 slot machines. A vast array of table games including black jack, roulette, craps, baccarat, and pai gow.
The Hard Rock is located approximately one hour drive from Vancouver city. There is plenty of free parking and is easily accessible and safe to then proceed to the main casino floor after parking. It is also possible to catch a train and bus from Vancouver City, but take care to check the bus and train timetable.
ID’s are thoroughly checked, hence please remember to bring ID with you.
Minimum age: 19
Opening hours: 24 hours 7 days a week
Grand Villa Casino
4331 Dominion St, Burnaby, British Columbia
This is an excellent mid to large casino located only 10kms from the heart of Vancouver City. A quick 20 minute drive and you will get there before you blink. Housing over 1,330 slot and video game machines, a variety of table games that includes: blackjack, roulette, baccarat, fortune pai gow, 3 and 4 card poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em Poker and craps. There is also a fabulous poker room which holds eleven tables for action packed no limits Texas Hold’em and Omaha High.
Minimum age: 19
Opening hours: 24 hours 7 days a week
Parq Casino
39 Smithe Street, Vancouver, British Columbia
One of the most classy casinos in BC. It is contemporary, with decor that matches the style of the Wolf of Wall Street. If you are corporate, have money to burn, and enjoy the sophisticated affluent feel then you will fit right in.
Ironically, the Wolf of Wall Street style matches the financing. This casino is in debt up to its eye balls, and only just refinanced with a new equity partner in May 2019.
Obviously players aren’t losing enough at this casino, so if you are looking to win give Parq a try!
Minimum age: 19
Opening hours: 24 hours 7 days a week
Treasure Cove Casino and Bingo
2003 BC-97, Prince George, British Columbia
The Treasure Cove is located in the city of Prince George, the gateway to the Northern Lights Festival. As such, Treasure Cove is more likely to be a stop through travel point, but this doesn’t mean it doesn’t offer much gaming fun. In fact, this little casino has the cozy warm personal touch, that many of the mega casinos don’t have.
The gaming floor of 37,000 sq ft includes 500 slot and video game machines, an array of table games, and both the “traditional” paper and electronic bingo.
Minimum age: 19
Opening hours:
- Sunday to Thursday 9am to 2am.
- Friday to Saturday 9am to 4am.
Edgewater Casino
39 Smithe St, Vancouver, British Columbia
Closed on the same day that Parq Vancouver was opened.
Minimum age: N/A
Opening hours: Closed
Lake City Casino Vernon
4900 Anderson Way, Vernon, British Columbia
This is a little casino that is nice but probably not the most patronised of all casinos in BC.
Minimum age: 19
Opening hours:
Sunday to Wednesday 10am to 12am.
- Thursday to Saturday 10am to 2am.
Slot Machines
Slot machines can be owned in the province of B.C. however the slot machines cannot be kept and displayed as operational. They should be remain unplugged and inoperable by anyone who owns a slot machines, if not, fines and penalties may be applied.
Bingo Halls
There are plenty of bingo halls to play at in BC. Fun, local and entertaining, the bingo halls offer both the traditional paper bingo cards and the electronic fast pace style.
Typically the bingo games are the 5 by 5 version of bingo, with the centre square being free.
Planet Bingo
2655 Main St 1st floor, Vancouver, British Columbia
Great food – fish and chips are awesome!electronic bingo automatic daub, card sort, and instant win. Very helpful staff. Numbers are called fast. Lots of fun!
Interac Payment Methods
Gradually becoming more widely known, is that the commonly used payment method Interac (Interac e-Transfer and Interac Debit) can be used as a payment method at the many casinos in British Columbia as well as for online casinos. Using Interac will make depositing a lot quicker and reliable as it is the most trusted and efficient payment method created specifically for the Canadian banking system, by the Canadian company – Gigadat.
British Columbia Gambling Commission
Gambling in BC is governed and regulated by the British Columbia Gambling Commission. They regulate all types and forms of gambling, that includes slots, casinos, horse racing, bingo, keno and pull tabs. Also regulated are fundraisers and charity events.