Bets on single-events top $20M in B.C. since August legalization, driven by NFL

British Columbians have placed more than CA$25 million (USD 20.16M) in sports bets on PlayNow.com within just two months of the legalization of single event betting in Canada, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation reported on Monday.

The BCLC, which takes single-events bets through the PlayNow site, said the NFL is proving to be the most popular betting choice so far. The number of NFL wagers has increased 97% through the first seven weeks of the season compared to the same period last year, when bettors could only make parlayed bets under previous Canadian law.

The top betting event since the introduction of single bets was the week 4 game, between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New England Patriots: 69% of the bets and 80% of money wagered that day were on single-event bets.

The Lottery Corporation describes interest in single-event bets within the NHL market as a “growing trend.” Hockey bets on PlayNow have increased by 71% after the first 19 days of the season, compared to the same period last year.

“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.

Cavanaugh further remarks that by playing with BCLC, players are supporting “the success of British Columbia.” Leveraging its status as the only legal gambling website, PlayNow’s revenue supports provincial initiatives, including healthcare and education, as the BCLC “continues to explore” additional opportunities to provide single-event sports betting in British Columbia.

Moreover, the lottery has remarked its commitment to prioritize “the health of players” as betting activity increases. PlayNow features a series of player-health safeguards, including dedicated specialists, known as GameSense Advisors.

The experts are available via telephone and online chat, to support players with healthy play habits, or refer them to treatment and support is needed. PlayNow claims to be the only gambling website in North America, and “one of the few in the world”, to offer this service.

Single-event sports betting in Canada was legalized starting August 27, marking an end to the country's long-standing ban. It was estimated that around $14 billion per year in wages from Canadians went to offshore firms and homegrown illegal bookmakers, while the new legal market could potentially bring up to $28 billion per year, according to studies.

Provinces and territories are the ones in charge of allowing the new forms of wagering. They are expected to use revenues to fund programming, such as health care or education, as they do with other lottery revenues.