Online sports betting goes live in British Columbia
Launch will see residents able to bet in-play for first time.
The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) has launched online sports betting on its online channel PlayNow.com, a move which will see in-play wagering offered by a North American lottery company for the first time.
Irish bookmaker Paddy Power is providing the odds for the website, published in real time on the OpenBet platform, having signed a three year agreement in 2011 to supply product, pricing and risk management services to its online sports betting business from the summer of 2012.
Patrick Kennedy, Paddy Power chief executive said of the launch: “Today marks an important milestone for BCLC and for British Columbia sports fans. Ice hockey punters will for the first time be able to bet in running during games on PlayNow.com, which will add to their enjoyment of NHL games, as well as baseball, tennis and a wide range of other sports.
“We are delighted to support BCLC in this exciting venture through our pricing, risk management and operational services based on expertise and product development originating from Ireland.”
BCLC is the only operator permitted under Canadian law to offer sports betting in British Columbia. In tandem with the launch of online sports betting, it has sponsored Canadian ice hockey player Roberto Luongo in the ongoing World Series of Poker main event.
The state-owned operator has led the way in egaming in Canada, having exported its expertise to the province of Manitoba earlier this year. BCLC, in conjunction with OpenBet, is designing and developing the new egaming site for Manitoba as well as providing testing services.
In 2010, PlayNow.com became the first government-run online casino in North America offering sports betting, bingo and casino and lottery games.