Super Bowl expected to bring in more than $2.5M in online bets: BCLC

As the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles prepare to face off this Super Bowl Sunday, and Rihanna perfects her half-time show set list, B.C.’s Lottery Corporation is expecting to bring in at least $2.5 million in online bets.
BCLC recorded those earnings after last year’s Super Bowl, and spokesperson Matt Lee says the marquee sports-betting event will likely bring in even more in 2023.
“Last year was the record, but just given the overall growth in sports betting, we’re expecting this year to set a new record,” Lee told CTV News on Thursday. In 2022, BCLC reported a total revenue of $2.36 billion--$33 million of which was generated by overall sports betting.
Last year, Lee says that British Columbians spent $2.5 million on Super Bowl bets on Playnow.com, the province's only legal, regulated gambling website. His rough estimate of total bets for the big game in 2022 is tens of thousands.
“For the most part, the majority of prizes are not significant—maybe up to a few thousand dollars,” Lee said.
He says the main focus of the corporation—whose slogan is “Know your limit. Play within it”—is on the health of British Columbians.
On Wednesday, BCLC issued a statement reminding PlayNow.com players to make bets for fun rather than money.
“We want our players to enjoy their experience—whether their bet wins or not,” Dan Beebe, BCLC’s chief operating officer, said in the release.
The corporation launched a new GameSense marketing campaign this week, adding to its list of player-health tools that help people reflect on their overall gambling habits.
Single event sports betting became legal in Canada on Aug. 27, 2021, and is regulated by each province and territory.
Prior to legalization, the Canadian Gaming Association estimated that single event sports betting conducted through organized crime generated $10 billion annually.
People who struggle with their gambling behaviour can call the province’s 24-hour, toll free support line at 1-88-795-6111.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Poilievre threatens to delay MPs' holidays with House tactics, Gould warns of impact on Canadians
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is threatening to delay MPs' holidays by throwing up thousands of procedural motions seeking to block Liberal legislation until Prime Minister Justin Trudeau backs off his carbon tax. It's a move Government House Leader Karina Gould was quick to condemn, warning the Official Opposition leader's 'temper tantrum' tactics will impact Canadians.
Bank of Canada holds its key interest rate steady at 5% in final decision of 2023
The Bank of Canada once again held its key interest rate steady at five per cent Wednesday, encouraged by evidence that higher rates are helping bring inflation down.
Norman Lear, producer of TV's 'All in the Family' and influential liberal advocate, has died at 101
Norman Lear, the writer, director and producer who revolutionized prime time television with 'All in the Family' and 'Maude,' propelling political and social turmoil into the once-insulated world of sitcoms, has died. He was 101.
A young nurse suffered cardiac arrest while training on the condition. Fellow nurses saved her life
Andy Hoang was excited about attending a November practice session on how to respond to someone in cardiac arrest. But as things were getting under way at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Hoang, 23, started to feel dizzy and nauseated. She felt she needed to sit down.
Boston woman paddleboarding near Bahamas resort killed in shark attack, police say
A 44-year-old American visiting the Bahamas from Boston was killed in a shark attack while paddleboarding near a beach resort Monday, according to local authorities.
Bills say edge rusher facing domestic violence charge will practice, play
Though disappointed in the allegations of domestic violence made against Von Miller, Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane stressed on Wednesday that he wants the legal process to play out and not rush to making any judgements.
'I am begging you': Father of shooting victim urges senators to pass Canadian gun bill
The father of a woman who was fatally shot in October by her former partner is urging senators to pass a federal gun-control bill without delay.
Senators were intimidated, had their privilege breached, Speaker rules
Any attempt to intimidate a senator while in the process of fulfilling their duties is a breach of their privilege, even if the effort is ultimately unsuccessful, the Speaker of the Senate ruled Tuesday.
Florida man, already facing death for a 1998 murder, now indicted for a 2nd. Detectives fear others
A convicted murderer already on Florida's death row for the 1998 slaying of one woman is now charged with a second killing that happened two weeks later, with investigators believing he may be tied to even more deaths.