The time has come for another exciting NFL football season, and the British Columbia Lottery Corporation has used the occasion to remind its bettors of something very important. Once more, the Crown agency reminded local sports fans that its PlayNow.com platform is the only regulated website in the province, and by playing on it, users contributed to the economy of B.C.
The BCLC is a state-run agency that oversees and conducts 100% legal gambling or lottery products in the province of B.C. Through its PlayNow platform, the Crown corporation offers online casino and lottery games to the local population. All of the agency’s revenue from gambling is reinvested into healthcare, education and community programs.
Only Legal Online Option
Marie-Noëlle Savoie, BCLC’s Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President of Legal, Compliance and Security, indicated that there are hundreds of illegal gambling websites up and running in the province. She warned sports fans that these websites do not abide to provincial and federal laws and provincial regulations that aim to protect players.
She further reminded that PlayNow comes with strict requirements to make sure that players are safe and secure in their online gambling endeavours. For instance, the platform has technical integrity, age verification and protection of personal information to ensure that players’ data is safe unlike in unregulated sites where there are almost no protections for users.
Ms. Savoie noted that the NFL and the NHL are among the top sports in popularity for B.C. sports bettors and that is why the Crown wants to provide the best positive experience for its players. She again reminded that PlayNow is the only legal option for wagering in the province, whose profits are reinvested into provincial healthcare, education, and community programs.
On top of its security protocols, the platform also cares for players’ health and it provides resources for bettors to make informed gambling decisions. Its users also have access to GameSense Advisors, who are more than happy to help bettors via telephone or online chat to give advice and support players in maintaining healthy play habits. Making it only one of the few websites on the continent to offer the service.
2021/2022 Fiscal Year
At the start of the month, the Crown corporation published its annual report for the 2021/2022 fiscal year. According to the BCLC for the FY, it generated revenue of CA$2.362 billion. Out of those, CA$$1.314 billion has come as net income and were reinvested to the province of B.C. According to the report, PlayNow contributed CA$293 million of the net revenue.
Meanwhile, the BCLC has also concluded its pursuit of a new CEO and President, as in August the Crown’s Board of Directors appointed Pat Davis for the role. Mr. Davis does not lack experience in the field, as previously he served as the Crown’s Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Business Technology, which will help him guide the agency towards meeting its social purpose objectives.
Source: “BCLC Cautions Sports Bettors Against Illegal Gambling Websites” BCLC, September 8, 2022
