Provincial gamblers including those in the north are throwing 2024 out with the bathwater and PlayNow is offering bets on which hospital will welcome the first B.C. baby of 2025.
BC Lottery Corporation Spokesperson, Matt Lee says this light-hearted wager is a fun one for all gamblers.
“It’s something we have offered for several years and we are always happy to bring it back around this time of year. Betting on the first baby or where the first baby will be born in the new year is something that always gets some discussion around the family dinner table or the water cooler and we are excited to bring this one back for 2025.”
The current odds for University Hospital of Northern B.C. are 35-1, meaning a successful $10 wager will pay out a total of $350.
B.C. Women’s Hospital in Vancouver is the betting favourite among all 23 labour and delivery hospitals.
Bettors can also wager on what will be the most popular names for B.C. babies in 2025.
Olivia (3-1) remains the most popular girl name in the province and is again PlayNow’s betting favourite, with Emma (6-1), Sophia (6-1) and Charlotte (8-1) close behind.
Jumping into the list of favourites this year are Amelia, Ava and Isla (10-1) – all trendy names in 2024.
For boy names, Noah and Oliver (4-1) have been favourites for several years, are now challenged by the rising popularity of Liam and Theodore (5-1), Jack and Lucas (10-1), as well as Ethan and Leo (12-1).
Wagering on which of the 23 labour and delivery B.C. hospitals will welcome the province’s first baby of 2025 will be available on PlayNow until 6:00 a.m. tomorrow (Tuesday), and the most popular name bets will be available until January 31st.
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