50/50 raffles now available online at every Canadiens home game

The Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation is pleased to announce the official arrival of online 50/50 raffles, which will help raise much-needed funds to get young people in Quebec to be more active. Starting Wednesday, October 12, as the Canadiens host the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre for their home opener, fans across the province can participate in the Foundation’s 50/50 Lottery, previously reserved for spectators attending the game in-person. It will now be possible for any supporter aged 18 and over to buy raffle tickets using their mobile phone, tablet, or computer, and therefore have a chance to win half of the jackpot from the comfort of their own home.

A draw will take place during the third period of each Montreal Canadiens home game. Raffle tickets can be purchased at 5050.canadiens.com and from Foundation volunteers until the end of the second intermission. The winning number and the prize won will be announced simultaneously on the Bell Centre scoreboard and on the Foundation’s website.

Recognizing that the pandemic has amplified the challenges and needs of the community in terms of regular physical activity and the adoption a healthy lifestyle, the Foundation is intensifying its fundraising efforts to respond to increased demands for support through its own programs and those of many organizations that also have the health and well-being of children from vulnerable backgrounds at heart. As a result, the Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation is launching a new partnership with Interac for the in-person activation of its 50/50 Lottery during Montreal Canadiens games at the Bell Centre. Through their commitment to the Foundation for the 2022-23 season, Interac becomes the official presenting partner of this fan-favourite fundraising program.

The 50/50 Lottery remains one of the most important sources of funding for the Foundation. Since 2015, hundreds of winners have received their share of jackpots totalling $17.3 million. For the 2022-2023 season, the Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation has chosen to entrust BUMP, a division of Canadian Bank Note (CBN), to supply the technology required to hold these new large-scale electronic raffles, with unlimited jackpots. A leader in the industry, BUMP provides innovative raffle solutions to many of the most recognizable professional sports foundations and hundreds of charitable organizations across North America, enabling them to enhance the success of their fundraising.

On September 1, changes in the guidelines regarding the laws and regulations for raffles emitted by the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux went into effect, allowing for 50/50 raffle tickets to be sold online under a licence delivered by the provincial regulatory body. Like many non-profit organizations and amateur sports associations, these 50/50 raffles will provide the Foundation with a significant tool to raise additional funds towards achieving its programs and initiatives, such as the construction of BLEU BLANC BOUGE outdoor rinks in underprivileged areas and financial assistance provided to charities working to help children embrace a healthy and active lifestyle throughout the province.