The Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) and the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) are together hunting for a technology provider to power a “national sports betting solution” that will be shared by multiple Canadian lotteries.

In a Request for Proposal (RFP) published on Merx.com by ALC on behalf of itself and BCLC, ALC states that the two lottery crown corporations are collaborating to select a single supplier for online sports betting. Each lottery will negotiate a contract to provide a technology platform as well as trading and liability management services.

The idea is that both lotteries will offer “a best-in-class national sports betting product” under the PROLINE brand. The platform will be “a consistent sports betting experience” for players powered by one shared tech partner.

Various Canadian lotteries use the PROLINE brand name since 1992. ALC has offered sports betting under the name since the early 1990s and BCLC currently offers in-person sports wagering under the PROLINE brand and online sports betting via PROLINE on its PlayNow platform.

The RFP was posted on March 17. Although at the time of writing it listed a closing date of March 24 on Merx.com. ALC told Canadian Gaming Business that date is a typographical error that is being corrected; the correct closing date is April 24, as listed on ALC’s procurement site.

Other lotteries welcome, Loto-Québec would consider

This initiative is currently a joint effort between the ALC and BCLC. While both of those crown corporations are members of the Canadian Lottery Coalition (CLC) along with Lotteries & Gaming Saskatchewan (LGS), Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries (MBLL) and Loto-Québec, this is not a CLC initiative.

However, the RFP also notes that “additional provincial Operators will have the right, if and when they choose, to join the collective in the future.” Separately, it adds that “Loto-Québec, at its option, will be able to enter into an Agreement with the Supplier.”

Loto-Québec told Canadian Gaming Business that it is “willing to consider” joining a multiprovincial sports betting platform. “We think there’s room for a national product — we already offer that with lottery games.”

The CLC is currently awaiting a May hearing after MBLL filed an injunction application on behalf of the coalition to prevent unlicensed gambling site Bodog from operating in Manitoba. CLC Executive Director Will Hill told CGB that this is an unprecedented legal action by either MBLL or the coalition and added that the member lotteries “remain committed to the idea of addressing unlawful gambling through all available means.”

OLG has no plans to join, prepares to onboard Kambi

One crown corporation gaming operator that does not intend to join the shared platform is the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), which is unique among provincial lotteries in that it competes with dozens of regulated commercial online gaming operators.

OLG’s own sports betting is also branded under the PROLINE name. But, a month ago, prominent gaming tech provider Kambi announced it would be taking over the OLG omnichannel sportsbook provider contract currently held by France’s La Française des Jeux (FDJ). That existing contract runs until 2032.

Kambi must make “a material initial investment” in order to assume its status as contract holder. CEO Werner Becher said on an earnings call that “there remains some work to do to get this over the line,” although he added that there is “no reason to doubt” that the transition will be completed. Kambi said it expected the multi-channel migration to be completed in the second half of 2025.

OLG spokesperson Tony Bitonti told CGB by email that while OLG is aware of the RFP, the lottery corp. “do not have plans to join as we are focused on our transition to Kambi.”

Bitonti added that “this plan will provide further [PROLINE] brand alignment across the country.”