Image Credit: BC Lottery Corporation

By Victor Kaisar

Lottery Winnings

New TRU-led study reveals BCLC has had billions in economic and social impacts in Kamloops

Oct 5, 2025 | 2:53 PM

KAMLOOPS — A new study has revealed that the BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) has had a nearly $3-billion economic and social impact on the City of Kamloops in the forty years its been headquartered in the Tournament Capital.

The study was conducted for BCLC by Thompson Rivers University economist Peter Tsigaris, who used data from the 2024-25 fiscal year and from 40 years of operations to estimate the annual and cumulative economic impact.

Of the $2.52 billion in economic spinoff since 1985, BCLC said $1.8 billion is the result of “direct contributions.” Broken down further, that includes $1.23 billion in salaries and benefits paid to employees in Kamloops, $360.3 million in goods and services, and $130 million in Community Gaming Grants to local non-profits.

In a news release, BCLC also said the study found that its head-office – which opened in Kamloops on April 1, 1985 – had an annual economic impact of $96.7 million in 2024/25, up from $72.6 million five years earlier.

The study says BCLC has generated about $30 billion in revenue for the Province, with those proceeds going towards education, health care, charitable and community organizations.

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“As a social purpose company, BCLC strives to put human connection at the heart of what we do, to help players, partners and communities thrive and grow,” said Pat Davis, President and CEO of BCLC. “This updated study proves that how we show up in the community matters — to families, non-profits, to the arts and to our staff. We’re part of a team here, and proud to call Kamloops our home.”

In addition, the study also estimated that for every two full-time jobs at BCLC’s Kamloops office, another 1.3 full-time jobs are created in Kamloops and 2.6 are created across the province.

The study noted that there were 581 people employed at the Kamloops head office in 2024-25. Back in 1985 it said there were 117 people employed, meaning there’s been an average annual growth rate of 4.1 per cent.

“BCLC has been a cornerstone of Kamloops’ economic and social landscape for four decades and has helped shape our community over the long term – from job creation and local investment to community partnerships and social responsibility,” added Kamloops Deputy Mayor for September, Kelly Hall.

“BCLC plays an integral role in Kamloops’ continued growth and vibrancy.”

In its news release, BCLC also said over a third of its employees volunteer for community initiatives at an average of 170 hours per year, per volunteer. It also noted that 70 per cent of employees donate to charity, contributing an average of $574 annually.

“BCLC is a strong partner in our community and contributes to the well-being and lifeblood of Kamloops,” added Bernadette Siracky, the President and CEO at the Kamloops Food Bank.

“We’re here to help people access food when they need it the most, and BCLC has been there on the ground to help us achieve that.”

You can read the entire 27-page economic impact study here.