On Thursday, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation informed that it has reached an agreement with an Intralot subsidiary in the U.S. Via the reported three-year agreement, the private gaming company will supply the state-run BCLC with its retail sports betting technology. Thus, paving the way for a retail sportsbook expansion across the Canadian province.
As a state-run Crown corporation, the BCLC is the sole provider of legal sports betting, lottery and online casino gambling in the Western province. Currently, the Crown provides sports wagering through lottery retailers and its PlayNow digital platform. However, it does not operate sports betting via retail sportsbooks at its 36 casinos and community gaming centres.
Three-Years Agreement
In the press release from Thursday, April 6, 2023, Intralot reported that a three-year contract has been signed, which has the option of three annual extensions. As part of the partnership, the gaming company will provide the Crown with its innovative technology to power the BCLCās retail sportsbooks, which will be launched via terminals across provincial gaming properties.
In addition to that, The Crownās sports wagering will be also made accessible via Intralotās Bring Your Own Device technology, as allows bettors to obtain a QR code that can be scanned at a terminal. The supplier also informed that once integrated, its retail sports wagering platform will be available at more than 700 self-service kiosks and 3,400 clerk-ran terminals in B.C.
Nikos Nikolakopoulos, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the provider, said that the company is pleased to build on its relationship with the B.C. lottery in the sports betting department. He noted that the firm is looking forward to producing an enhanced retail player experience and responsibly driving its product growth for the benefit of British Columbia residents.
The Crown corporation did not provide a comment on the agreement but back in February 2021, it stated that it would consider licensed sportsbooks at land-based casinos and community gaming centres. It also remarked that would review adding sports-betting offerings at hospitality locations across the province that sell lottery products, such as bars or pubs.
Strengthening iCasino Offerings
Besides bolstering sports betting amenities, the Crown agency has also put effort into expanding its online casino catalogue on PlayNow by adding industry-leading titles. Last month, BCLC debuted Evolutionās hit title Mega Ball. This fast-paced game combines a handful of exciting features and mechanics, while also being aired from a colourful studio and hosted by an eager live game presenter.
Then in April 2023, the Crown entity reported that it will be integrating ReelPlayās Hypernova Megaways into its iGaming portal. The integration was facilitated by Light & Wonder’s OpenGaming ecosystem. This title launched in Europe back in 2018 and is among ReelPlayās top-performing games along with Atlantis Megaways & Big Bucks Bandit Megaways.
