Canadian provincial lottery operator British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) has announced that British Columbians have placed over $25.0m (£14.7m/€17.3m) in single-event sports bets on its PlayNow.com website.
This comes two months after the launch of single-event sports betting in Canada, following the unanimous passing of Bill C-218 through Canada’s senate in June.
The bill was first re-introduced in Canadian parliament in November 2020.
According to the BCLC, the National Football League (NFL) is the most popular betting choice with the number of NFL wagers rising by 97% in the first seven weeks of the 2021 NFL season, compared to the same period in 2o20.
The National Hockey League is also garnering more betting interest, with wagering rising by 71% after the first 19 days of the season year-on-year.
The top single betting event on PlayNow.com since the legalization was the week 4 NFL game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New England Patriots.
“This is a significant milestone for BCLC that demonstrates further how PlayNow.com is well positioned to provide highly entertaining and engaging sports betting in a safe and secure environment,” said Lynda Cavanaugh, BCLC’s interim president and CEO.
“It’s important for players to know that playing with BCLC supports the success of British Columbia, as PlayNow.com is the only legal gambling website from which revenue supports important provincial initiatives, including healthcare and education.”