British Columbia Lottery taking bets on US election

Jul 26, 2016, 8:13 am (6,450 comments)

British Columbia Lottery

Who says Canadians can't participate in US elections?

No, they can't vote in US elections, but Canadians can place bets on who is going to win.

The British Columbia Lottery Corporation has been taking bets on the 2016 U.S. election since early last year. It's become the most popular wager in an online gaming category the lottery calls "novelty betting."

The provincial lottery contracts with a global sportsbook based in Ireland to set the odds. BC Lottery spokesman Doug Cheng said the odds of a Donald Trump victory have improved since even last week, but the odds makers still favor a Hillary Clinton victory.

"Donald's Trump's odds are currently 37/20 — in other words, slightly under 2 to 1 — to become the next president," Cheng said. "To put it in perspective, he has closed the gap significantly as his initial odds in January 2015 were 100 to 1."

A $5 bet placed on the Democratic nominee Clinton on Monday would pay out $7.10 if she wins in November. The same bet placed on Republican nominee Trump would pay out $14.25 if he wins.

For at least a few more days, Cheng said Canadians can make a long-shot bet on Democrat Bernie Sanders at 59 to 1 odds.

If you're feeling lucky, know that the BC Lottery limits its U.S. election wagers to its own provincial residents over the age of 19.

"You can't bet, but you can definitely vote, which we can't do up here," Cheng said in telephone interview. "That's a trade-off I guess."

The BC Lottery is also taking bets on which political party will triumph in several key battleground states including Florida, North Carolina and Ohio.

"We have always paid a lot of attention to American elections because we are such close neighbors," Cheng said from Vancouver. "The media interest was really ramped up on this particular election. I think you see that reflected in the wagers we're taking on this novelty betting category. I think this really shows that people in B.C. are intently watching the U.S. election south of the border."

The provincial lotteries in Nova Scotia and Manitoba are also offering online wagers on the American presidential election.

Besides traditional state lottery games, the BCLC operates casinos and a sportsbook. British Columbians can bet on Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners games as well as whether the Oregon Ducks, Washington Huskies or some other university team will win next season's college football championship. Bettors can also wager on who will win gold medals at the Rio 2016 Olympics among other things.

In the United States, online gambling is illegal as is betting on elections. Betting on the outcome of sports contests is legal in Nevada. Political betting has been offered in Britain for decades.

BC Lottery profits fund government services and grants to non-profits, much like state lotteries in the United States.

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News story photo(Click to display full-size in gallery)

Lottery Post Staff

Comments

mypiemaster's avatarmypiemaster

OH BOY!!! This thread will be very "interesting". Politics anyone?.

haymaker's avatarhaymaker

They know the fix is in ?!

LiveInGreenBay's avatarLiveInGreenBay

Put your money on Trump.  KingofTax will appear in 3...2...1...

Albeone

Great article, great idea, have one place to dump the political crap and keep the other threads clean.

Bleudog101

Quote: Originally posted by Albeone on Jul 26, 2016

Great article, great idea, have one place to dump the political crap and keep the other threads clean.

Maybe will play their lottery numbers on Powerball...

sully16's avatarsully16

Went to my class reunion a couple weeks ago, many of the people there I have not seen since the 70's.

The hot topic was not politics, but how the world has changed , and how our kids are growing up .

My son was 2 when Islamic Terrorists flew planes into the world trade center, this is his world to adapt to .

He will never know what was like going to an airport, concert or Hockey game without being searched and scrutinized.

He is living with technology we never dreamed was possible.

Back in our day, the big argument was who's cuter, David Gilmour or Roger Taylor, now everything is an argument.

This Country has gone insane with political correctness, if you disagree, you get a label and depending on the topic, you could be Racist, bigot, hater, homophobe etc.

In our day we watched Little house on the Prairie, the Waltons or a family themed comedy/music show.

Now the TV is filled with reality shows, people in constant conflict, or people living lives that are not even close to real.

Survival shows top the lists.

I guess it doesn't matter who is elected, I was taught to survive long before these shows popped up.

I not only know how to grow food, I hunt, fish and can find food in the forest.

For my son's sake, for the world he has to grow up in, I want a leader who is willing to say and do the things we need, to keep us just a little safer.

Some things you can't control, but we need a leader who can make it harder for those who mean to harm us.

Trump has my vote. US Flag

LiveInGreenBay's avatarLiveInGreenBay

Bingo sully!  Things have changed a lot in the last 20 or so years and not all for the better.  Both parties are at fault, that's why I'm voting for the "outsider".   Now....Lets hit that powerball!

destinycreation

I am neither Republican nor Democrat.  I follow my conscience and vote Independent.  I vote how I "feel" based on what options I have to choose from.  I voted for the Bush family twice.  I supported the Bush War.  I also voted for Obama twice.  I decided last year in 2015 that I would never vote for Hillary Clinton.  I considered Donald Trump, until he started running a Hate campaign.  Thus, I have rejected Trump.  I considered Gary Johnson, but I don't agree with some of his political positions, and he seems to hedge on some issues.  I think he would change his mind back and forth like Trump does.  I considered Bernie Sanders, but he always comes across like an Angry, Old, "***" Man.  Talk about temperament.  By process of elimination and default, that leaves Jill Stein of the Green Party.  Thus, I will vote for Jill Stein for President in November 2016.  I know she won't win, but I will continue to follow my conscience and vote Independent of the norm, when I feel that it is necessary. 

If I lived in Canada and were betting on the next US President through the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, I would wager on Donald Trump to win, however, I would vote for Jill Stein for President.

ElinaSammy2081's avatarElinaSammy2081

Quote: Originally posted by sully16 on Jul 26, 2016

Went to my class reunion a couple weeks ago, many of the people there I have not seen since the 70's.

The hot topic was not politics, but how the world has changed , and how our kids are growing up .

My son was 2 when Islamic Terrorists flew planes into the world trade center, this is his world to adapt to .

He will never know what was like going to an airport, concert or Hockey game without being searched and scrutinized.

He is living with technology we never dreamed was possible.

Back in our day, the big argument was who's cuter, David Gilmour or Roger Taylor, now everything is an argument.

This Country has gone insane with political correctness, if you disagree, you get a label and depending on the topic, you could be Racist, bigot, hater, homophobe etc.

In our day we watched Little house on the Prairie, the Waltons or a family themed comedy/music show.

Now the TV is filled with reality shows, people in constant conflict, or people living lives that are not even close to real.

Survival shows top the lists.

I guess it doesn't matter who is elected, I was taught to survive long before these shows popped up.

I not only know how to grow food, I hunt, fish and can find food in the forest.

For my son's sake, for the world he has to grow up in, I want a leader who is willing to say and do the things we need, to keep us just a little safer.

Some things you can't control, but we need a leader who can make it harder for those who mean to harm us.

Trump has my vote. US Flag

I Agree! I remember those days and cherish them. I wish my children could of experience how it was back than. It's so sad what is happening in our country. 

Kingofearth's avatarKingofearth

Quote: Originally posted by sully16 on Jul 26, 2016

Went to my class reunion a couple weeks ago, many of the people there I have not seen since the 70's.

The hot topic was not politics, but how the world has changed , and how our kids are growing up .

My son was 2 when Islamic Terrorists flew planes into the world trade center, this is his world to adapt to .

He will never know what was like going to an airport, concert or Hockey game without being searched and scrutinized.

He is living with technology we never dreamed was possible.

Back in our day, the big argument was who's cuter, David Gilmour or Roger Taylor, now everything is an argument.

This Country has gone insane with political correctness, if you disagree, you get a label and depending on the topic, you could be Racist, bigot, hater, homophobe etc.

In our day we watched Little house on the Prairie, the Waltons or a family themed comedy/music show.

Now the TV is filled with reality shows, people in constant conflict, or people living lives that are not even close to real.

Survival shows top the lists.

I guess it doesn't matter who is elected, I was taught to survive long before these shows popped up.

I not only know how to grow food, I hunt, fish and can find food in the forest.

For my son's sake, for the world he has to grow up in, I want a leader who is willing to say and do the things we need, to keep us just a little safer.

Some things you can't control, but we need a leader who can make it harder for those who mean to harm us.

Trump has my vote. US Flag

Australia has very strong gun control laws: 0 mass shootings each year.

The US has no gun control laws: hundreds of mass shootings each year. 

Pretty clear what the President and congress would need to do.

Kingofearth's avatarKingofearth

Quote: Originally posted by destinycreation on Jul 26, 2016

I am neither Republican nor Democrat.  I follow my conscience and vote Independent.  I vote how I "feel" based on what options I have to choose from.  I voted for the Bush family twice.  I supported the Bush War.  I also voted for Obama twice.  I decided last year in 2015 that I would never vote for Hillary Clinton.  I considered Donald Trump, until he started running a Hate campaign.  Thus, I have rejected Trump.  I considered Gary Johnson, but I don't agree with some of his political positions, and he seems to hedge on some issues.  I think he would change his mind back and forth like Trump does.  I considered Bernie Sanders, but he always comes across like an Angry, Old, "***" Man.  Talk about temperament.  By process of elimination and default, that leaves Jill Stein of the Green Party.  Thus, I will vote for Jill Stein for President in November 2016.  I know she won't win, but I will continue to follow my conscience and vote Independent of the norm, when I feel that it is necessary. 

If I lived in Canada and were betting on the next US President through the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, I would wager on Donald Trump to win, however, I would vote for Jill Stein for President.

I Agree! With your second paragraph

noise-gate

Quote: Originally posted by mypiemaster on Jul 26, 2016

OH BOY!!! This thread will be very "interesting". Politics anyone?.

No doubt- after Todd cleaned house of politics than invaded a thread a little while ago, this should please those who are into politics big time. 

sully16's avatarsully16

Quote: Originally posted by Kingofearth on Jul 26, 2016

Australia has very strong gun control laws: 0 mass shootings each year.

The US has no gun control laws: hundreds of mass shootings each year. 

Pretty clear what the President and congress would need to do.

They still have violent crimes despite the gun buy back program, murder is murder, you don't need a gun.

Move there, If you don't like it here then leave.

Since your Mister History, tell all the good folks why Japan never invaded us after they bombed Pearl Harbor.

The Emperor wanted a ground invasion until he was told everyone  here has a gun.

You are so willing to give up your rights...You are willing to become a subject instead of a citizen.

You want other peoples rights to be taken away, you can't see they are also yours.

You are not a survivor.

Todd's avatarTodd

Quote: Originally posted by Kingofearth on Jul 26, 2016

Australia has very strong gun control laws: 0 mass shootings each year.

The US has no gun control laws: hundreds of mass shootings each year. 

Pretty clear what the President and congress would need to do.

The US has hundreds of mass shootings each year?  Please go ahead and choose one year and run down the "hundreds" of mass shootings that occurred.

And to say that Australia has no mass shootings is wrong, sorry to burst your bubble.

Besides, if there're no guns available, murderers and terrorists just find another way to kill people.  The 84 killed in France by the truck driver terrorist is just one example. 

The only thing a gun ban does is take guns out of the common law-abiding citizens' hands.  Makes people easy pickings for murderers and terrorists.

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