West Kelowna’s Jennifer Cole won $31 million in the Lotto Max in July 2021. (Photo credit: BCLC)

By Pete McIntyre

annual report

B.C. Lotteries generates $1 billion in revenue, pays out $800 million in prizes

Jan 3, 2023 | 11:15 AM

More than $800 million was paid out to lottery players in British Columbia in 2022.

The BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) said the total prize money was $802 million, of which $226 million went to players who bought winning tickets in the Thompson Okanagan region.

BCLC sold more than 100 million winning tickets to players at retail locations and online on PlayNow.com — the province’s only legal gambling website.

West Kelowna’s Jennifer Cole purchased one of these tickets online and scored a $31 million Lotto Max jackpot on July 8, 2021 which is the largest prize ever won in B.C. from a ticket purchased on PlayNow.com.

Pat Davis, BCLC president and CEO, said the corporation is proud to generate revenue for the Province of B.C., which supports services like healthcare, education and community programs.

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“We’re generating win-wins for the greater good, and today we’re celebrating the 24.5 million winning tickets sold in the Thompson Okanagan region in 2022,” Davis said.

Lottery highlights, Thompson Okanagan region:

• $226.2 million in total prizes paid to players
• 24.5 million winning tickets sold
• 18 grand prize-winning tickets sold, valued at $500,000 or more

In 2021/22, BCLC delivered $1.3 billion in net income to the Province of B.C., which distributed it in many ways to benefit British Columbians.

Learn more about where the money goes by visiting https://corporate.bclc.com/community-benefits/where-the-money-goes.html