50/50 raffle initiative helps Ontario recover from Covid-19

Officials have reported that the popular 50/50 raffle is seeing large amounts of cash invested in hospitals.

According to reports, officials in northern Ontario have been impressed by the success of the region’s 50/50 draws raffle scheme. Indeed, the initiative has seen gaming greatly contribute to the recovery of the region from the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Hospitals, animal shelters and other charitable groups have all utilized the scheme to raise funds and rebuild following a tough 18 months. 

The scheme is similar to a lottery but half of all winnings go to charity. 

According to Jason Laneville, executive director of the Timmins and District Hospital Foundation, the draw has raised $4m for the hospital in the last 15 months, with every penny going to the purchasing of new medical equipment. 

“They (bettors) realize that they’re participating in a lottery that helps the hospital,” he said. “It helps support healthcare in northeastern Ontario.”

“Our sole goal is to try to help the community and it’s very frustrating for the last two years since this Covid, we’ve been kind of stuck in limbo in not being able to help,” said John McCauley, treasurer of the Schumacher Lions Club.

Many have noted that this revenue, fueled by raffle players, would be impossible to come by without the 50/50, with the money being described as “life-changing” in one report by CTV News.

Gaming is set to expand rapidly in Ontario, as well as the rest of Canada, in the coming year. With single sports betting and the open market that Ontario offers, the taxable income from gaming is likely to aid many more in the years to come. 

Indeed, Ontario is the fifth largest jurisdiction in North America by population, thus setting the stage for it to become one of the continent’s largest gaming powers.

Henry Moore

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