Last Updated Apr 28, 2022, 1:23 PM ET
Owned and operated by the BCLC
Generous 100% welcome bonus
Accepts Visa, MasterCard, PayPal and more
Bonuses and promotions
Banking and payout speed
Key features
Security and trust
Customer support
5-8 days
Owned and operated by the BCLC
Generous 100% welcome bonus
Accepts Visa, MasterCard, PayPal and more
5-8 days
BetSmart™ Rating:
BetSmart™ Rating:
Operated by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, PlayNow is the best online sportsbook for betting in British Columbia and Manitoba because it is fully licensed, offers great odds, and welcomes new players with a massive $250 bonus.
PlayNow.com is the official online gambling site operated by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC). The site initially went live in 2004, but it wasn’t until 2010 that it officially became the first casino website run by a province in Canada. Sports betting was added in 2012, and PlayNow launched in Manitoba in 2013. Following amended online gambling regulations in 2021, PlayNow now offers single-game sports betting in both provinces. Let's see if the new platform lives up to our high standards.
To help celebrate the legalization of single-game sports betting in Canada, the PlayNow sportsbook offers a 100% welcome bonus. There are also other specials for frequent bettors.
Sign-up bonus
Available for both new and current players during the promotional period, the 100% match requires the PlayNow bonus code SINGLEBET. Deposit $10 or more and automatically receive free bets in five equal increments totalling the deposited amount. The bonus is capped at $250, and the free bets will not be returned with the winnings.
Parlay bonus
Known as the Bet-Back Bonus, this promotional campaign at PlayNow can help parlay bettors save some money. The bonus will give back the stake if you place an eligible parlay with the provided selections for the day. If only one selection doesn’t go through, you get the stake back as a free bet of up to $100.
Deposit options
PlayNow accepts a fairly good range of deposit methods, including credit cards, debit cards, Interac, and PayPal. All transactions are done in CAD, and the operator doesn’t charge fees for deposits.
| Deposit Method | Fee | Process Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Free | Instant | $5 |
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Free | Instant | $5 |
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Free | Instant | $5 |
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Free | Instant | $5 |
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Free | Instant | $5 |
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Free | Instant | $5 |
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Free | Instant | $5 |
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Free | 1-2 Banking Days | $5 |
Withdrawal options
PlayNow withdrawals are slower than at other online sportsbooks in Canada. It can take the team up to three business days to process and approve requests. After that, it will take a few more days for the funds to appear in your bank account.
| Withdrawal Method | Fee | Process Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Free | 5-8 Banking Days | $10 |
PlayNow has recently improved the layout of its platform and added some features. The clean design allows for easy navigation, and users can enjoy in-play betting, early cash out, and detailed stats.
PlayNow live betting is easy to browse. It displays sports at the top of the page, and you can also pin your favourite events. The bookmaker covers all of the big sports leagues in Canada, the U.S., and Europe, and offers in-play betting options. The page usually has a virtual display and stats.
The PlayNow Casino is available on the same site as the online sportsbook. It has over 300 games from the likes of IGT, Novomatic, NextGen Gaming, and SG Interactive. Most of them are slots, but we also found plenty of table games, including some live dealer options.
Cash Out has been added to PlayNow. It is available on desktop and mobile sites in selected markets. Players can use the feature from the site’s Betslip, located via the My bets tab. Select which bet you wish to cash out, use the slider to set the amount, and convert your winnings.
PlayNow Poker is exclusively available for players in British Columbia and Manitoba. It holds unique promotions, weekly tournaments, and special poker series. A highlight is the $150,000 guaranteed poker tournament with a buy-in of $320 and daily satellites that start from $0.27.
While PlayNow doesn’t have native apps for mobile devices, the site definitely makes up for it. The layout actually looks better on a smartphone since everything is nicely organized; there is a compact menu with the different products and a quick navigation bar at the bottom. As a result, the mobile betting experience is user-friendly and fun.
PlayNow.com is a gambling site owned by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC). This is the provincial authority for legal gambling in British Columbia, offering a wide range of products for players in the province. The BCLC partnered with Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries (MBLL) to also make the site available in Manitoba. Both are Canadian Crown corporations operated by the government in accordance with current laws and regulations. As a result, PlayNow.com is safe and secure for real money gambling online.
Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation
British Columbia Lottery Corporation
The help section has a list of FAQs that can assist players in learning more about the operator and its products. For direct customer support, we found the PlayNow live chat feature to be the best contact method. You can open a window with a few clicks. Other options include phone and email support, although it can take up to 10 days to receive a response by email.
PlayNow has grown into a full-fledged online sportsbook that can rival the biggest offshore operators. For residents of British Columbia and Manitoba, it is definitely worth checking out, as we can see from these highlights:
Operated by provincial governments
The fact that PlayNow.com is operated by the BCLC and MBLL comes with some unique advantages. First of all, bettors are guaranteed safe and regulated online wagering options with legitimate payouts. Second, the sportsbook’s profits are invested back into the provinces to fund health care, education, and more.
Wide range of sports and bets
While the PlayNow offering used to be a bit limited, this is no longer the case. Bettors can place single bets, parlays, teasers, and systems. New sports have also been added to the list, such as MMA, to give players more options. Popular picks generally include the NHL, NBA, NFL, NCAA, and the CFL.
Great 100% bonus
We know that every detail can make a difference in sports betting, and doubling your bankroll can have a big impact. The 100% match bonus currently available at PlayNow allows users to place more bets and take a few more risks.
Yes, PlayNow offers legitimate online gambling options in British Columbia and Manitoba. It is operated by the government-run British Columbia Lottery Corporation, which partnered with Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries.
PlayNow is a safe choice for real money online betting. Since it is a provincially run site, players don’t have to worry about issues with withdrawals. Standard verifications are required to prevent underage gambling and avoid online scams.
PlayNow is only available in British Columbia and Manitoba at this time. Players in other Canadian provinces or territories cannot join and bet real money.
Right now, the sportsbook welcome bonus at PlayNow is a 100% deposit match of up to $250. The offer is added to the account in the form of five equal free bets. For example, a $200 deposit will generate five free bets of $40 each.
No, you can’t deposit Bitcoin, or any other cryptocurrency, at PlayNow. All transactions on the online betting site are in CAD, and accepted deposit methods include cards, Interac, PayPal, and Web Cash.
Yes, you can withdraw from the real money balance at PlayNow at any time. Some verifications are required to prevent fraud. Users must verify their identity and source of funds for withdrawals exceeding $1,000 in total.
It can take up to three business days for PlayNow withdrawals to be reviewed and approved. That's slower than some offshore competitors, but a reasonable wait nonetheless. Once approved, a few more days are needed for bank processing to complete the transaction.
Look for the help button in the top right corner of the site. From there, you can access FAQs, open a live chat window, and access the contact page. Phone support at PlayNow is available from 7:00 a.m. to midnight PST.
PlayNow is the only online sportsbook available in British Columbia and Manitoba that is run by a Crown corporation. As for other provinces, there is also PROLINE+ (Ontario), Mise-o-jeu+ (Quebec), Play Alberta (Alberta), and PRO•LINE Stadium (Atlantic provinces).
Joshua Howe is a commercial content editor at Covers, assisting experts in making smarter sports bettors. Prior to joining the team in 2021, the experienced writer and editor worked in a variety of industries, including sports, marketing, and publishing.
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