BC 49
BC 49 is a popular lottery game in the Canadian province of British Columbia.
Tickets to enter BC 49 cost CAD 1.00, with draws taking place twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 19:30 local time (Pacific).
To enter BC 49, choose six numbers between 1 and 49, with a Quick Pick option also available to generate a ticket with six randomly selected numbers.
For an extra CAD 1.00, players can enter an additional game called Extra. The Extra draw uses numbers from 1 to 99. Players can win CAD 500,000 by choosing and matching four numbers.
Players can also use their BC 49 numbers to enter the national Lotto 6/49 game at the same time. Entry into Lotto 6/49 costs an additional CAD 1.00.
Jackpot
BC 49 offers players a guaranteed jackpot of CAD 2 million.
The jackpot does not roll over if there is no jackpot winner, but always remains at CAD 2 million. If more than one ticket holder wins the jackpot, it is shared equally.
Odds and Prizes
The odds of winning the BC 49 jackpot are 1 in 13,983,816.
BC 49 is one of the few global lotteries to guarantee prize amounts at each tier. For example, up to six players can win CAD 75,000 for matching five numbers and the bonus ball, but if there are more than six winners, players share the total prize pool of CAD 450,000.
In addition to winning the jackpot, BC 49 players can win prizes at an additional five tiers.
| Prize Category | Numbers Matched | Winning Odds | Winning Odds % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 1 in 13,983,816 | 0.000007 |
| 2 | 5, plus Bonus Ball | 1 in 2,330,636 | 0.00004 |
| 3 | 5 | 1 in 55,492 | 0.002 |
| 4 | 4 | 1 in 1,033 | 0.1 |
| 5 | 3 | 1 in 57 | 1.75 |
| 6 | 2, plus Bonus Ball | 1 in 81 | 1.2 |
Payout and Taxes
BC 49 pays out winnings as a lump sum, with players having one year to claim prizes.
Lottery winnings in British Columbia are not subject to taxation.
Who Can Play BC 49?
Players in British Columbia can play BC 49 by purchasing tickets on sale at authorized stores across the province and online via the official website.
Players outside of British Columbia can also play BC 49 online, but only via Lottery Agent websites, as the official website blocks external entries.
To buy a BC 49 ticket online, players must be at least 19 years of age.
History of BC 49
BC 49 launched in 1992, with its format and structure remaining the same ever since.