Apply for horse racing registration and licence
Last updated on March 9, 2023
Every participant in British Columbia's horse racing industry must be registered and licensed to ensure that high standards of honesty, integrity, and financial responsibility are met.
Learn more:
- Overview
- How to Apply
- Identification Requirements
- Non-Resident Criminal Record Requirements (US and Foreign Residents)
- Resources
Overview
| Who Needs to be Registered and Licensed? | All B.C. horse racing industry participants must be registered with, and licensed by, the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch including, but not limited to:
If you are a pari-mutuel or teletheatre worker, apply as a gambling worker. |
|---|---|
| Application | Complete and submit online using the Online Service (preferred method). Applications will be accepted by mail or in-person until October 31, 2022. |
| Processing Fee | $30.00 |
| Terms, Conditions, Rules, and Policies | Horse racing registrations and/or licences may be suspended or cancelled if violations of the terms and conditions or horse racing rules and policies occur. See Rules & Policies for more information. |
How to Apply
Click below to see information about each step of the horse racing registration and licensing process. Click "expand all" if you want to see all of the steps or if you want to print this page.
Step 1: Before you start
Before starting your application, please review all related information under Application Resources. As part of the process, you are required to submit to a background check, which includes but is not limited to a criminal record check and a credit check. The process must be successfully completed before a licence can be issued.
If you were working in the horse racing industry in another Canadian province and are moving to B.C., please review the information in Information for Out-of-Province Horse Racing Workers Moving to B.C. (PDF).
As a participant in the horse racing industry in B.C. you must comply with terms and conditions and rules and policies outlined in the application form and related documents. See Rules & Policies for more information.
Step 2: Start and submit your application
Online Application
To apply online, use the Online Service and ensure all mandatory information has been provided.
Mail or Courier Application
While online applications are strongly encouraged, mail and in-person applications will continue to be accepted until October 31, 2022.
Beginning November 1, 2022, all applications must be submitted using the online system. Paper applications will only be accepted in extraordinary circumstances and only with preapproval from GPEB. Contact the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch at GPEB.HorseRacing@gov.bc.ca for more information.
Note: GPEB processing times for paper applications will be longer due to longer transit and processing times.
Step 3: Wait for your application decision
If you have questions about your application, please review the application resources. If you are unable to find an answer to your question or want to inquire about the status of your application, please contact us using the information below.
Email: GPEB.HorseRacing@gov.bc.ca
Phone (Greater Vancouver): 604-660-0245 option 5
Toll-free within B.C.: 1-800-663-7867 (ask to be transferred to the number above)
Successful applicants will be able to pick up a Horse Racing ID Tag that contains information regarding the applicant’s registration. Applications that are denied may be eligible for written reply.
Identification Requirements
Overview
Applicants are required, at the time of application, to provide copies of two valid pieces of identification (ID). One must be a government-issued ID that includes your full legal name, date of birth, signature and photo from the list of primary ID. The second may be selected from either the primary or secondary ID list.
Please note:
- Expired IDs will not be accepted
- Both IDs must have the same name
- The new combined BC Driver’s Licence and Services Card is considered one piece of identification
You must submit one (1) high quality colour photo taken within the last three (3) months with your application.
For a detailed list of accepted identification and photo requirements, review the information below.
Primary Identification
| Type of Identification | Note(s) |
|---|---|
| Driver's Licence |
|
| Combination BC Driver's Licence and Services card |
|
| BC identification card (BCID) |
|
| BC Services card (photo) |
|
| Passport | |
| Canadian Citizenship card |
|
| Canada Identity card |
|
| Canadian Permanent Resident card |
|
| Secure Certificate of Indian Status card |
|
Secondary Identification
| Type of identification | Note(s) |
|---|---|
| Any of the accepted Primary ID noted above | |
| Bank or Credit Card |
|
| BC Security Workers Licence (card) |
|
| BC Services Card (without photo) | |
| Birth Certificate from Foreign Country |
|
| Canadian Birth Certificate |
Most Canadian birth certificates are accepted as secondary ID. Some examples of documents that are not accepted include:
|
| Canadian Firearms License (Possession and Acquisition Licence, PAL) |
|
| Canadian Forces Identification | |
| Canadian Record of Landing | |
| Employee ID card with photo |
|
| Foreign Affairs Canada or Consular Identification | |
| Health Card issued by a Canadian province or territory |
|
| Certificate of Indian Status Card | |
| Nexus Card | |
| Police Identification Card | |
| School ID Card (Student card) |
|
| Social Insurance Card |
|
|
Immigration Documents (Student, work, visitor, or temporary-resident permit) |
|
Photo Requirements
Submit one photo meeting the specifications below.
- The photo may be taken with a digital camera or scanned.
- The photo must be saved and submitted in a colour JPEG file format and have a file size more than 200 KB (kilobytes) and less than 2 MB (megabytes).
- The photo must be taken against a plain white or light-coloured background with no shadows, reflection or glare so that your features are clearly distinguishable against the background.
- The photo must be clear, sharp and in focus.
- The photo must show a full front view of the face and top of the shoulders squared to the camera (the image of the face and shoulders must be centered in the photo). The head must not be tilted.
- Your eyes must be open and clearly visible. Photos with red eye effect or red eye alterations are unacceptable. Prescription eyeglasses may be worn if the eyes are clearly visible and there is no reflection or glare. Sunglasses and tinted eyeglasses are unacceptable.
- Photo must represent your natural skin tone.
Head coverings are acceptable provided the eyes, nose and mouth remain clearly visible.
EXAMPLE:
Note: Not actual size. Refer to the measurements above.
Note: For examples of acceptable and unacceptable photos please see Canadian Passport photo specifications located at: https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/ircc/migration/ircc/english/pdf/pub/pass-photo-spec-eng.pdf
Non-Resident Criminal Record Requirements
Applicants that reside outside of Canada at the time of application must provide the following documentation. All Police Certificates, United States local and state criminal record documents and FBI Identification records checks must not be older than three (3) months from the date of application for GPEB registration.
United States (US) Residents
Applicants that reside in the United States must provide an authenticated local police check document (Police Certificate) which includes a local and state criminal record search for the area they currently reside in.
United States residents must also provide an authenticated FBI identification records check (Identity History Summary). Applicants should refer to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's ("FBI") website for instructions on how to submit the request.
Note: United States applicants should contact their local State Identification Bureau (or state police), who may be able to coordinate all of the required criminal record searches.
Foreign Residents (other than US or Canada)
Applicants that reside in a country other than Canada or the United States must provide a national police certificate from the country they currently reside in.
Note: Obtaining a police certificate varies from country to country. Please go to https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/medical-police/police-certificates/how.html and select the country you reside in to determine how to obtain a police certificate.
Translation Required: If a police certificate is in a language other than English, the applicant must provide GPEB with a copy of the original document as well as an English version translated by a certified translator and an affidavit from the person who completed the translation.
Resources
Additional information, documents, and forms related to horse racing registration and licensing are available in this section. Click below to see more information about these resources. Click "expand all" if you want to see all of the information or if you want to print this page.
Rules and Policies
To learn about horse racing rules and policies in B.C. see Rules & Policies.
Information for Out-of-Province Horse Racing Workers Moving to B.C.
This document provides information for people working in the horse racing industry in other Canadian provinces who are moving to B.C.
Appeal a Decision (Written Reply)
Applications that are denied or have conditions imposed will receive written reasons for the decision. Applicants may submit a written reply within 30 days. Within 60 days of receiving the written reply a decision will be made to confirm or vary the original decision.
Guides
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Apply for a gambling event licence or gaming grant, register as a gaming or horse racing worker, check your application status, or report gambling wrongdoing.
Contact information
Contact the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch if you have questions about horse racing in B.C.