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

Article content Edmonton, Alberta - The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation has announced that its server provider has increased its capacity for its online 50/50 raffle that will take place on Friday's hockey game.

Article content Officials said Wednesday's draw "shattered an All-Time Record" and had to be shut down early due to reaching the maximum ticket sales limit set by the server's provider.

Oilers expand capacity for 50/50 raffles ahead of Game 4 against Blackhawks Return to video

Janet Riopel (board chair of the foundation for community) announced on Thursday that she was so grateful to her fans for their support.

Content of the article "We were thrilled to receive this online opportunity but wow. We were thrilled to be able access the hub city... but wow, this is an amazing opportunity. We're so, so fortunate."

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

The raffle held on Monday night for Game 2 beat the previous record for largest sports raffle, since the prize was more than $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 the team won the championship.

Natalie Minckler, executive Director of the Oilers Foundation, said that there were no expectations for its 50/50. This was possible due to the fact that Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis approved an online sale in July.

"We didn't put revenue projections on it because it was something we had never done before," she said. "We were unsure so we were a little bit conservative. We certainly were not expecting to receive the kind of volumes we have."

Minckler said that staff have been working all hours of the day with Ascend Fundraising Solutions to increase capacity to be ready for the game on Friday.

Article content Officials claimed they added 2 1/2 times more capacity to the maximum allowed ticket sales.

"The expectation is that, even though Oilers fans have demonstrated that they can defy any expectations, that the server will be able to handle the demand," stated Tim Shipton (senior vice communications director for Oilers Entertainment Group).

Riopel and Minckler both stated that the foundation would use the money raised by the raffles on the internet to support groups that help vulnerable populations in downtown Edmonton as well as youth sports in northern Alberta. WOW SERVERS

Minckler added that the foundation is overwhelmed by the support from Albertans.

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

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