Kamloops, Okanagan hospitals long shots in winning B.C.’s New Year’s baby lottery

The odds of Royal Jubilee Hospital having B.C.’s New Year’s baby sit at 28:1. Kelowna General Hospital’s odds are 18:1.

People can actually bet on which hospital will host the New Year's baby through B.C. Lottery Corporation’s PlayNow.com.

Both are longshots compared to B.C. Women’s Hospital that has 3.5:1 chance of hosting the province’s first baby of 2023 since it has a lot of births. It finished first in 2021 and 2017.

New Westminster’s Royal Columbian Hospital (rated 8:1) had the province’s first baby in both 2019 and 2020.

Calculating the odds is not just an academic exercise.

The longer the odds, the higher the payout.

There are 23 hospitals on the betting list with Vernon Jubilee Hospital's odds at 42:1 while Penticton Regional Hospital is at 50:1. A $10 winning bet on B.C. Women’s Hospital would net a $35 prize.

Betting can be done on PlayNow.com, here, before 6 p.m. on Dec. 31. The odds for all 23 hospitals can be seen here.

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