BCLC’s new “What’s played here stays here” campaign is issuing an important reminder to British Columbians who choose to gamble – specifically that all net profit its operations generate stays in B.C. to help fund critical services like education, health care and community programs.
The campaign also reinforces that all other gambling websites operating in B.C. are illegal and take away funds from critical community programs and services.
“Across B.C. and Canada, we’ve seen incredible groundswell around the importance of buying and supporting local, and that’s no different for British Columbians who choose gambling for their entertainment,” says Pat Davis, BCLC President and CEO. “We want our B.C. players to know they can find a world-class gambling experience in their own backyard, whether it’s at one of our 33 casinos, 3,400 lottery retailers, or online at PlayNow.com, and that the proceeds from their play with BCLC make a positive impact at home in their community.”
In 2024, BCLC generated $1.5 billion in net income for the Province of B.C., of which:
- $1 billion went to fund public programs and services, including education.
- $140 million went to B.C.’s Community Gaming Grants program, supporting a range of non-profit organizations in their delivery of ongoing community programs and services.
- $147.3 million went to the Provincial Health Special Account to support health initiatives, including new hospitals, facility upgrades and community health programs.
- $94.5 million went to local B.C. governments and First Nations that host a gaming facility, a ten per cent share of the net revenue those facilities generate.
Along with illegal online gambling websites, BCLC also competes with Washington State and Las Vegas casinos, all of which aggressively market to B.C. residents.
Adds Davis: “BCLC continues to raise awareness that these gambling options do not support B.C.’s economy and take away funds from vital provincial and community-based programs and services. In a time when British Columbians are standing united, we want to reinforce that playing together with BCLC helps make B.C. even better.”
Since 1965, BCLC has delivered more than $29 billion to support communities, provincial programs and services, charities and major events that have helped shape B.C. Click here to learn more about how BCLC is generating win-wins for the greater good.
