NFL games are the top sports betting events in Manitoba

But Manitoba bettors' football loyalty split between CFL and NFL

National Football League action kicks off this week and signals the return of the most popular sports betting events on PlayNow.com. The NFL is king on the gambling site with its games seeing more betting in Manitoba than any other sports league.

Last NFL season, the average amount wagered on an NFL game through PlayNow.com was approximately $19 per bet.

The biggest NFL game of all, the Super Bowl, continued its run in 2017 as the largest sports betting event on PlayNow.com, taking in approximately $57,000 in wagers. Entering the season, Manitoba bettors are heavily favouring last year’s winners the New England Patriots with odds of 4/1.

While NFL games remain the most popular betting options, Manitobans are growing more enthusiastic about wagering on local football too. The number of Manitobans betting on the Canadian Football League has increased 35% over last season. This is likely due to the performance of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who sit at 7-3 heading into this weekend’s Banjo Bowl. The Bombers currently have 25/4 odds to win the Grey Cup while the Calgary Stampeders are front-runners with 9/4 odds.

Adding to the excitement this CFL season, PlayNow members who bet on any Bomber game are also entered in a contest to win 10 times their amount wagered. One Manitoban racked up $500 in winnings by betting on Blue.

PlayNow.com is Manitoba’s only legal, regulated gambling website, operated by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries. For more information on NFL and CFL betting and on the Win 10 Times Your Wager contest, visit PlayNow.com.

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To arrange an interview contact:

Liquor Mart Labour Day Weekend Hours

Manitoba Liquor Marts will operate on extended hours over the Labour Day long weekend.

WINNIPEG & BRANDON LOCATIONS

Thursday, August 31

Most Manitoba Liquor Marts will open and close at their regular times. Many of the larger Winnipeg Liquor Marts will remain open later and close at 11:00 p.m.

Friday, September 1 and Saturday, September 2

Most Liquor Marts in Winnipeg and Brandon will open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 11:00 p.m., with the exception of cityplace, Hargrave & Ellice, Main & Pritchard, Pembina Village Express, Jefferson Express and Brandon West End Express, which will each close at their regular time.

Sunday, September 3

All Liquor Marts in Winnipeg and Brandon will open at 10:00 a.m. and close at 6:00 p.m. with the exception of cityplace, which will open at 12:00 p.m. and close at 5:00 p.m.  

Labour Day, Monday, September 4

All Liquor Marts in Manitoba will be closed.

RURAL LOCATIONS

Liquor Marts in rural Manitoba also operate on extended hours over the Labour Day long weekend, but hours will vary by location.

Please visit www.LiquorMarts.ca/hours to view individual stores’ hours. 

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries’ corporate offices will be closed Monday, September 4. 

Liquor Mart Terry Fox Long Weekend Hours

Liquor Mart Canada Day Weekend Hours

Manitoba Liquor Marts will operate with extended hours leading up to the Canada Day long weekend.

WINNIPEG & BRANDON LOCATIONS

Thursday, June 29 and Friday, June 30

Most Liquor Marts in Winnipeg and Brandon will open at 9 a.m. and close at 11 p.m., with the exception of cityplace, Hargrave & Ellice, Main & Pritchard, Tyndall Market and all Liquor Mart Express locations, which will each close at their regular time.

Saturday, July 1

All Winnipeg and Brandon Liquor Marts will be open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., with the exception of cityplace, which will be closed. All Liquor Mart Express locations will be closed.

RURAL LOCATIONS

Liquor Marts in rural Manitoba also operate on extended hours over the Canada Day long weekend, but hours will vary by location.

Sunday, July 2 and Monday, July 3

Regular hours resume at all Manitoba Liquor Marts.

Please visit www.LiquorMarts.ca/hours to view individual stores’ hours.

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries offices will be closed Monday, July 3.

VOLUNTARY PRODUCT RECALL:

1.14 Litre Bottles of Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin (LOT CODE L16304W ONLY)

Bacardi Canada has voluntarily recalled 1.14 litre bottles of Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin (lot code L16304 W only) as it contains an incorrect alcohol content versus what is shown on the label (77% versus 40%). The lot code can be found on the back of the bottle near the base.

Any affected product has been removed from Liquor Mart shelves. Licensees or customers who have previously purchased an affected bottle of Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin should not consume and return the product to their local Liquor Mart or Liquor Vendor for a full refund.

For further information about this recall, please visit the Canada Food Inspection Agency website.

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MBLL Moving into Next Phase of Growth
to Deliver on Manitobans' Priorities

The Board of Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries today announced that it will focus the corporation’s strategies towards growth and refinement of its core operations. This will include developing new ideas, new projects and new approaches to strengthen the organization while improving its liquor products and gaming and entertainment services. This will ensure MBLL is aptly positioned for a future that meets the needs of its customers and Manitobans. 

“As a Board, our job is to maximize the positive impact MBLL can have on the Manitoba economy and in the lives of all Manitobans,” said Board Chair, Polly Craik. “Clear strategic direction, sound business principles and strong executive leadership are the keys to ensuring we are well positioned to support the province through our core operations.”

As part of this new direction, current CEO John Stinson will depart the organization. Peter Hak, an MBLL executive who has held several senior portfolios since joining Manitoba Lotteries in 1984, will become interim CEO effective immediately.

“John played a key role in guiding MBLL through a period of significant change, and we thank him for his leadership,” Craik said. “Peter will have the Board’s full support through this important transition.”

Stinson, who joined the corporation in February 2015 said, “It was a privilege to serve Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries during a time of change, and I wish the organization every success moving forward.”

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For interviews with Polly Craik, Board Chair:

COMMUNITY & NON-PROFIT GROUPS TO CONTINUE TO BENEFIT FROM

MANITOBA LIQUOR & LOTTERIES BINGO VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

Electronic bingo resulted in necessary changes to administration of the program 

Funding for the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Bingo Volunteer Program is continuing through the 2017-18 fiscal year, with money now being provided directly to umbrella organizations who will allocate the funds for local community and non-profit organizations without the requirement of volunteer service.

"With the declining popularity of paper bingo at Winnipeg's casinos, the number of volunteers required for each bingo shift dropped over time and the requirement for volunteers has now disappeared," said Diana Soroka, Director Community Support. "Community organizations that were allocated bingos between January and March 31, 2017 were notified earlier this year that they would receive their funds without the expectation of volunteer work. Money earmarked for the Bingo Volunteer Program for the 2017-18 fiscal year will be provided directly to umbrella groups that oversee the volunteer allocations."

The Bingo Volunteer Program has been in place since 1984 and provides approximately $4 million annually to about 400 community and non-profit groups.

"The Bingo Volunteer Program is undergoing a necessary assessment in order to ensure that support for local community and non-profit organizations makes sense as bingo players move to electronic bingo and the need for volunteers is eliminated," said Soroka. "We have been in contact with the umbrella groups and they are pleased that the funding will continue for the next year."

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Liquor Mart Easter Weekend Hours

Thursday, April 13

Most Winnipeg and Brandon Liquor Mart locations will operate on extended hours, opening at 9:00 a.m. and closing at 11:00 p.m. with the exception of:

• cityplace: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Hargrave & Ellice – 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• Main & Pritchard – 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• Brandon West End Express – 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Rural Liquor Mart hours will also operate on extended hours, but will vary by location. Please visit www.LiquorMarts.ca/hours.

Friday, April 14

All Liquor Mart locations in Manitoba will be closed Good Friday.

Saturday, April 15

Most Winnipeg and Brandon Liquor Mart locations will operate on extended hours, opening at 9:00 a.m. and closing at 11:00 p.m. with the exception of:

• cityplace: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Hargrave & Ellice – 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• Main & Pritchard – 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• Brandon West End Express – 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Rural Liquor Mart hours will also operate on extended hours, but will vary by location. Please visit www.LiquorMarts.ca/hours.

Sunday, April 16

All Liquor Mart locations in Manitoba will be closed Easter Sunday.

Monday, April 17

Regular hours will resume at all Manitoba Liquor Marts.

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries’ corporate offices will be closed on Friday, April 14 and Monday, April 17.