British Columbia-based lottery players are looking at a temporary pause in play, as the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) launches its new lottery terminals at retail and hospitality locations across the province. According to a statement from the crown corporation, the new terminals and related systems, going live May 26, will speed up the purchasing process for players.
To prepare for the jump to the new terminals and systems, BCLC will be temporarily pausing sales and validation for lottery products.
In terms of national games, Daily Grand and Daily Grand Extra sales and validations will stop after 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Lotto Max and Lotto Max Extra sales and validations will stop after 7:30 p.m. Friday. With Lotto 6/49 and Lotto 6/49 Extra, that will happen at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
On the regional lottery front, BC/49 and BC/49 Extra sales and validations will stop after 7:30 p.m. Saturday; BC 50/50 at 9 p.m. Saturday; Pacific Hold’Em at 11:30 p.m. Saturday; Keno at 11:30 p.m. Saturday; Sports Action at 4 p.m. Saturday; and Poker Lotto sales and validations will stop at 11 p.m. Saturday.
Players will be able to purchase tickets for future draws and validate purchased tickets as soon as the new terminals and systems are active on May 26.
Also, Sports Action will no longer be available starting May 26, after 33 years, as BCLC launches their new retail sportsbook, a digital way to bet on sports at retail. Single-event betting will be offered for the first time at retail, as well as more games to play, improved odds and same-day payouts, and the return of Toto, a popular game where the player predicts the winner of 13 games correctly for a big payout.
