After just two months, British Columbians have wagered more than $25 million with BCLC in single-event sports bets on PlayNow.com.
Single-event betting has been legal in Canada since Aug. 27, but the early uptake has been noteworthy.
“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, in a written statement.
“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 health care and education.”
Since the introduction of single-event bets, the NFL is proving to be the most popular betting choice, so far.
The number of NFL wagers has increased 97 per cent through the first seven weeks of the NFL season compared to the same period last year when bettors could only make parlayed bets under previous Canadian law.
The top betting event was the week-four game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New England Patriots, where 69 per cent of the bets and 80 per cent of money wagered were on single-event bets.
The data also indicates that interest in single-event bets on the NHL is growing. NHL bets on PlayNow.com have increased by 71 per cent after the first 19 days of the season compared to the same period last year.