The Independent Gambling Control Office (IGCO) is responsible for registering companies and suppliers involved in the gambling industry in B.C. to ensure the highest standards of safety and integrity.
On this page
Eligibility
Service providers and suppliers must either:
- Be a party to a contract to provide gambling services either to the British Columbia Lottery Corporation or a registered gaming services provider or must have a reasonable expectation of entering into such a contract; or
- Be a charitable gaming event services provider
If you or your company participate in the horse racing industry, see Horse racing.
Who needs to register
All people and companies that operate gambling facilities or provide gambling services or supplies in B.C. must be registered with the IGCO. This includes:
- Land-based casino and bingo operators
- Gambling suppliers, manufacturers, or distributors
- Gambling management services
- Charitable event services providers
- Janitorial companies that work in gaming facilities (casinos and bingo halls)
- Security and surveillance providers
- Game test labs and automated banking services
- Companies that provide audit services and penetration testing
- Companies that distribute online games to BCLC for use on PlayNow.com
Fees
Registration applicants pay a non-refundable fee upon application. Once registered, there are annual registration fees as set out below.
Fees must be in Canadian funds and can be paid by:
- Money order or certified cheque payable to the Minister of Finance
- Wire transfer
You may also have costs related to background investigations.
Gaming facility operators
Fees for operators of provincial bingo facilities are $2,500.00 per site.
All other provincial gaming facility fees are based on the previous fiscal year's revenue. See table below:
| Projected gross annual revenue of casino | Fee |
|---|---|
| Less than $25 million | $12,000.00 |
| $25 million to less than $50 million | $30,000.00 |
| $50 million to less than $100 million | $60,000.00 |
| $100 million or higher | $120,000.00 |
Gaming suppliers
| Class | Description | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| A | Produce or distribute electronic gaming devices: electronic slot machines; electronic table games; electronic betting terminals; any other electronic device that determines the outcome of a provincial gaming scheme by electronic means, or enables an individual to buy in to participate in a provincial gaming scheme while viewing an image of the provincial gaming scheme that is distributed through live transmission | $20,000 |
| B | Produce or distribute gaming supplies for use in provincial gaming schemes, other than electronic gaming devices (see Class A) or gaming supplies for use in online gaming schemes (see Class C, D, or E) | $5,000 |
| C | Distribute gaming supplies to BCLC for use in online gaming schemes and that are projected to earn from that distribution a gross annual revenue of $5 million or more | $20,000 |
| D | Distribute gaming supplies to BCLC for use in online gaming schemes and that are projected to earn from that distribution a gross annual revenue of less than $5 million | $10,000 |
| E | Distribute gaming supplies to BCLC for use in online gaming schemes and that are projected to earn from that distribution a gross annual revenue of less than $1 million | $5,000 |
| F | Distribute software that protects the fairness or security of, or that is used in quality assurance systems for, online gaming schemes operated through BCLC's online platform; machines for use in the sale of lottery tickets; ticket verification machines; or distribute hardware or software for detecting and preventing money laundering in provincial gaming schemes | $1,250 |
Additional gaming services providers
| Class | Description | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | Provides any of the following: operates an Automated Banking Machine (ABM) at a gaming facility; installs or maintains equipment for the surveillance of a gaming facility; services requiring access to electronic data used in the operation of a provincial gaming scheme; or provides services to maintain or protect the safety, security or fairness of a provincial gaming scheme, gaming facility, or PlayNow.com | $1,250 |
| Class B | Provides janitorial services at a casino or bingo facility; or lessor of a gaming facility | $315 |
| Gaming event services provider | Provides gaming services to gaming event licensees for gaming events | $1,250 |
| Lottery retailer | Authorized to sell lottery tickets on behalf of BCLC | $150 per site |
Application process
Before starting your application, contact the IGCO to discuss what documents and information you will need to submit.
To help us determine your disclosure requirements, you will need to provide:
- An overview of your company's ownership structure detailing the distribution of shares and ownership percentages, and a business relationship chart, including all direct and indirect shareholders
- An organization chart of the applicant organization with the directors, officers and senior employees describing their responsibilities
Registration term
The registration period is determined by a risk-based assessment of the applicant, including consideration of operational, ownership, and jurisdictional factors.
Background investigations
As part of the registration process, a background investigation will be conducted on the company and its senior officials. This will include, but is not limited to, criminal record checks and financial integrity reviews. People or companies that are associates of a gaming services provider (parent, shareholder, investor, lender, subsidiary, etc.) may also be subject to the same background investigation as part of the application process. This ensures fairness and safety for industry and the public.
Costs
Background investigation costs are the responsibility of the applicant/registrant. Note that:
- Investigative time is charged at $150/hour plus travel expenses
- After we receive your application, we will send you an invoice for anticipated costs
- Funds must be received before the investigation starts
- Once the investigation is complete, you will be refunded any excess
Timelines
Once fees and completed disclosures and all supporting documents have been received, applications typically take 3–4 months to be processed.
After you apply
After your application has been submitted and reviewed by the IGCO, an investigator will contact you. Investigators complete a due diligence investigation to determine the suitability of the company and its officials for registration as a gaming services provider.
If you are successful, you will be sent a letter of registration.
If you are unsuccessful, you may apply for reconsideration.
Resources
Conditions of registration
All registrants must comply with the Gaming Control Act, Gaming Control Regulation, General Manager Regulations, and the terms and conditions of their registration. For more information, read the conditions of registration below:
- IGCO Conditions of Registration for Gaming Services Providers (except Lottery Retailers)
- IGCO Conditions for Registration for Provincial Gaming Facility Operators
Forms
- Corporate Disclosure Form – Renewal of Registration (PDF, 346KB)
- Corporate Disclosure Form – New Registration (HQ Outside of BC) (PDF, 427KB)
- Corporate Disclosure Form - New Registration (HQ Within BC) (PDF, 485KB)
- Personal Disclosure Form - New Registration (HQ Outside or Within BC) (PDF, 516KB)
- Personal Disclosure Form - Renewal Registration (PDF, 398KB)