BC Lottery down over the weekend for tech upgrade
Posted May 26, 2024 2:36 pm.
Last Updated May 26, 2024 2:37 pm.
For anyone wondering why they can’t buy or check their lottery tickets this weekend, it’s because the BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) is doing a massive tech upgrade and launching new terminals across the province.
A number of B.C.-based lottery terminals have been down since Saturday evening, including BC/49, BC 50/50, Pacific Hold’Em, Keno, Sports Action, and Poker Lotto. National games including Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max are also affected. Lottery sales and ticket validation on some games have been unavailable since Thursday.
BCLC communications representative Shelley Wong says the upgrades should be mostly completed by Monday.
“Once the system is activated, we fully intend to start selling tickets,” Wong said.
“We’re entirely shutting down our old software and terminals, and migrating to a new software program and terminals. It does take a bit of time, but we do thank our players for their patience.”
After the upgrades are complete, BCLC says retail stores that sell lotto tickets will have all-new ticket checker machines and enhanced checkout screens. Restaurants and bars will have new self-serve terminals.
Wong says the new system will be a smoother experience for customers and enable the BCLC to bring in new games.
With files from Cole Schisler.
