Gaming Control Act
Last revised May 14, 2026
In the fall of 2022, the BC government addressed recommendations from two independent reviews, the German Reports and the Cullen Commission, by bringing in the Gaming Control Act, SBC 2022, c. 29.
The Act updates the regulatory framework for the gambling industry to prevent illegal activities, such as money laundering and fraud, and accounts for problem gambling, online gambling and evolving gaming technologies. The act also included changes to the gambling industry’s fee structure, which had not been updated in more than 15 years.
The Gaming Control Act was brought into force on April 13, 2026 by BC Reg #208/2025. It repealed and replaced the Gaming Control Act, SBC 2002, c. 14.
Independent Gambling Control Office
The Gaming Control Act also created the Independent Gambling Control Office (IGCO), which replaced the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch on April 13, 2026.
The IGCO provides regulatory oversight of gambling conducted and managed by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), charitable gambling, and BC’s horse-racing industry.
The IGCO has a general manager who makes and enforces regulations in gambling and horse racing and has the power to issue binding directives to BCLC when needed.
In addition, the IGCO continues to administer the Gambling Support BC program.
History
In 2002, the BC Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch replaced the BC Gaming Commission as the authoritative regulatory body for gaming in BC by OIC 5/2002.
The BC Gaming Commission was established by OIC 612/87 to set policy and the terms and conditions of licences.
Content reviewed May 14, 2026
- Gaming Control Act, SBC 2022, c. 29 - BC Laws
- Terms and conditions of licence, BC Gaming Commission, 1997 – Courthouse Libraries BC
- Terms and conditions for licensed charitable access to gaming revenue, BC Gaming Commission, 1998 - Courthouse Libraries BC
- Terms and conditions for charitable gaming and access to gaming revenue, BC Gaming Commission, 1999-2000- Courthouse Libraries BC
- Technical Gaming Standards for Electronic Raffle Systems, Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch, TGS6, November 2018, - Government of BC
- Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch, Licensed Charitable Gaming Rules, February 2023, - Government of BC
- Dirty Money, an Independent Review of Money Laundering in Lower Mainland Casinos, also known as the German Report, March 2018 – Government of BC
- Dirty Money Part 2: Turning the Tide, an Independent Review of Money Laundering in B.C. Real Estate, Luxury Vehicle Sales and Horse Racing, also known as the German Report, March 2019, - Government of BC
- The Commission of Inquiry into Money Laundering in British Columbia, also known as the Cullen Commission, Final Report, June 2022 - Courthouse Libraries BC
- Regulations of General Manager - Gaming Control Act, SBC 2022, c. 29, Part 12, Division 2, ss. 203 to 214, Gaming Control Act BC Laws
- Independent Gambling Control Office (IGCO), IGCO Home, - IGCO BC
- Anti-money laundering in BC – Government of BC