PlayNow review 2026

What is PlayNow?

PlayNow is the government-run online gambling site of three provinces. The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) built it and runs it in BC; Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries runs it in Manitoba, where it launched in 2013; and the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) runs it in Saskatchewan, where it launched in November 2022. Both use BCLC as their service provider. PlayNow also offers lottery, bingo, poker and a sportsbook. It ranks #7 in our ranking of the best online casinos in Canada.

Is PlayNow legal?

Yes, and in its three provinces it’s the only legal online casino:

You can only play in your own province of residence, and you must be there. For the rest of Canada, see online casino laws by province.

Games

PlayNow’s British Columbia catalogue listed 972 games on October 22, 2026:

Manitoba’s catalogue has 973 games and Saskatchewan’s 955. The biggest studios are IGT, WMS, Everi, Greentube, AGS, Lightning Box and Light & Wonder. The live casino studio is open 24 hours a day. BCLC says its games are certified by independent labs such as Gaming Laboratories International and BMM Testlabs, and each game’s rules sheet gives its return to player; PlayNow says most of its online slots pay back over 90% in the long run.

Deposits and withdrawals

Your PlayNow balance is capped at $250,000 in BC and Saskatchewan and $100,000 in Manitoba, and withdrawals of $25 million or more are paid differently.

App and experience

Most PlayNow play happens on playnow.com. Its casino app, PlayNow Slots, is rated 2.4 out of 5 from 28 ratings on Canada’s App Store and 2.1 from 102 on Google Play (October 22, 2026), far below the private casinos’ apps.

Safety, responsible gambling and support

PlayNow’s limits are the most protective in our ranking alongside OLG’s. In British Columbia, every player must set a weekly deposit limit, of up to $100,000, before making a deposit. BC players can also set casino loss limits by day, week or month and a daily or weekly playing-time limit, and see session reminders and a session log. Manitoba’s help page lists a weekly deposit limit, session reminders and time management tools too.

Self-exclusion: BC’s Game Break lets you take six months, one, two or three years away from BC’s gambling facilities, PlayNow and BCLC’s apps, and you stay excluded until 12 months after your break ends unless you complete a course and a return-to-play form. Manitoba and Saskatchewan offer voluntary self-exclusion for six months to three years.

Support: by phone at 1-877-706-6789, daily from 7 a.m. to midnight PT in BC, 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. CT in Manitoba and 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. CT in Saskatchewan, with live chat in BC and a contact form in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. It’s not 24/7, and we couldn’t confirm French-language support.

Free, confidential help: BC’s Gambling Support Line at 1-888-795-6111, Manitoba’s helpline at 1-800-463-1554 and Saskatchewan’s at 1-800-306-6789, all open around the clock. Our guide to gambling help in Canada has every province.

Who is PlayNow best for?

• Anyone gambling online in British Columbia, Manitoba or Saskatchewan, where it’s the only legal option.
• Players who want firm limits set before they start.
• Small-stakes players, with a $5 minimum deposit.
• Not for players who want fast payouts, a good app or 24/7 support.

Our verdict

PlayNow ranks last of our seven on features, with slower payouts, limited support hours and a weak app, but it’s the only legal online casino in British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and its player protections are excellent. If you live there, it’s the one to use. Compare it in our Canadian ranking, or see what’s legal elsewhere.