BCLC 50/50 hockey raffle
PLAYNOW TO CARRY HOCKEY 50/50 RAFFLES ONLINE FOR VANVOUVER CANUCKS
Claims that BCLC involvement in project is a world first.
The British Columbia Lottery Corps provincial online gambling monopoly through its PlayNow.com website has expanded into a sports-oriented internet raffle in partnership with the NHL Vancouver Canucks hockey team.
The teams popular 50/50 raffle has previously been a physical arena event but will now move online in what BCLC officials are claiming is a world first.
PlayNow will not benefit monetarily from the venture – the profits from the online activity will go to the Canucks for Kids charity – but public awareness of the PlayNow brand will be enhanced, and there is the possibility that online 50/50 buyers will sample some of the other online gambling facilities offered on-site.
A press statement from the partnership this week announces that 50/50 online will be accessible from desktop and mobile devices
Jim Lightbody, the president and CEO of BCLC, said:
"This is the first of its kind in the world. If you think theyre doing $30,000 to $60,000 a game just in the regular season and at home games only, the skys the limit to what we can do for 82 games a year, plus allowing people from all over the province to participate – whether they are in Vancouver or Dawson Creek."
The existing, physical 50/50 will continue to run as it always has during home games at Rogers Arena. Last year, it raised over $1 million for the Canucks for Kids Fund.
The joint Canucks – PlayNow statement claims that the online 50/50 will likely multiply that haul many times over. Not only is it available during all home and away games, but the potential pool of ticket-buyers is significant considering the number people who watch and listen to Canucks broadcasts versus the relatively small number who attend games.
"One of the reasons were really excited about this is that it is going to raise the awareness for PlayNow.com and attract even more people to come to our site and buy a 50/50 ticket and maybe even something else were offering," said Lightbody.
