Oilers Increase Capacity to 5050 Raffle in Advance of Game 4 Against Blackhawks

Article content EDMONTON – The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation says its server provider has increased capacity for its online 50/50 raffle in anticipation of Friday's hockey game.

The article's content was approved by the official who said Wednesday's draw "shattered an all-time record" and that it was required to be closed earlier due to exceeding the maximum sales limit for tickets set by the server's service provider.

Oilers increase capacity for 50/50 raffle ahead of Game 4 against Blackhawks Back to video

"We are so grateful to our fans right now that we take this step," Janet Riopel, chairman of the board of the community foundation announced on Thursday.

Article content "We were thrilled about this opportunity online however, wow. Datchley is blogging We were thrilled to be able to access hub city... but WOW, is this an incredible opportunity. We're so, so fortunate."

The Oilers Entertainment Group said the prize for Game 3 of the series between the Blackhawks and Oilers was more than $5.4 million, with one lucky winner earning $2.7 million. There's still no confirmation of a winner.

The raffle on Monday night's Game 2 of the series surpassed the previous record for the largest sports raffle, as the prize surpassed $3.2 million.

Article content Toronto Raptors fans held the previous record when a 50/50 draw reached 2 million dollars during the 2019 NBA Finals. This was the year that the team won the championship.

Natalie Minckler, executive Director of the Oilers Foundation, said that the foundation had no plans for its 50/50. This was because Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis approved the online sale was held in July.

She added, "We hadn't put revenue projections on it because it was completely new to us." "We were not sure, so we were a little bit conservative. We certainly didn't expect to see the type of volume we have."

Minckler said that staff has been working all hours of the day with their service provider, Ascend Fundraising Solutions, to expand the capacity to meet the demands of the game on Friday.

Officials claimed that they increased the capacity by 2 1/2 times to sell the maximum number of tickets.

"The expectation is - although Oilers fans have demonstrated that they can surpass all expectations that the server will be able to handle demand," said Tim Shipton who is the senior vice-president for communications for the Oilers Entertainment Group.

Both Riopel and Minckler said that the money they generated by the online raffles will be used by the foundation to help groups that help vulnerable populations in downtown Edmonton as well as youth sports throughout northern Alberta.

Minckler said that the foundation is overwhelmed by the generosity from Albertans.

She said, "It's been incredible to witness the reactions from Oilers fans across Canada for this program."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Aug. 6, 2020