If you're wondering why you can't buy or check your lottery tickets this weekend, it's because the BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) is undergoing a major technology upgrade and installing new terminals across the province.
Many BC-based lottery terminals have been down since Saturday night, including BC/49, BC 50/50, Pacific Hold'em, Keno, Sports Action and Poker Lotto. National games such as Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max are also affected. Lottery ticket sales and ticket validation have been unavailable for some games since Thursday.
BCLC spokesperson Shelley Wong says the upgrades should be largely complete by Monday.
“We will start selling tickets as soon as the system is up and running,” Wong said.
“We will be completely shutting down our old software and devices and transitioning to the new software program and devices. This will take some time, but we thank our players for their patience.”
Once the upgrades are complete, retailers that sell lottery tickets will have all-new ticket checking machines and enhanced checkout screens, while restaurants and bars will have new self-service terminals, according to BCLC.
Wong said the new system will create a smoother customer experience and allow BCLC to introduce new games.
With files from Cole Schisler.
