BCLC details ESG efforts and key initiatives in annual report

The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) has unveiled its ESG annual report, titled 'Winning With Purpose: BCLC's Annual Report,' highlighting strides made in accomplishing environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals during the 2022/23 fiscal year. 

The comprehensive report introduces three key themes adopted by BCLC to achieve its ESG goals by 2030. These include becoming an industry leader in addressing climate change, creating a positive social impact, and governing in the public interest.

On the financial front, BCLC delivered a record of over CAD 1.6 billion ($1.2 billion) in net income to the Province of British Columbia. “This report tells the story of our purpose in action and, more importantly, the multiple ways we create value for our players and communities while generating net positive impacts on the planet,” said Jim Gudjonson, Manager of Sustainability Innovation at BCLC.

One of the key steps taken by BCLC is improving its voluntary self-exclusion program called ‘Game Break’. The addition of an active reinstatement process empowers players to assess their readiness to return to gambling, offering support and information for informed decision-making.

Additionally, the corporation has hired a senior manager of Indigenous relations to lead its strategy. The move is set to expand upon the BCLC's Indigenous reconciliation and relationship-building efforts.

The report documents that the lottery corporation has laid the groundwork for a decarbonization roadmap and to achieve science-based targets for Scopes 1, 2, and 3.

In a significant move, BCLC has set in progress the transition of its corporate fleet vehicles to a low-carbon, fully electrified fleet by 2030. This includes 13 vehicles that its employees use to travel between its offices and gambling facilities. BCLC's fleet currently consists of two electric vehicles and three hybrid vehicles, with the remainder being internal combustion vehicles.

This report also details efforts to build upon the BCLC's diversity, equity and accessibility through initiatives including hosting the inaugural all-Crowns Accessibility, Diversity, and Inclusion conference and implementing a more inclusive policy approach to statutory holidays.

The report is also the lottery corporation's first to combine reporting on BCLC’s financial and ESG performance.