Renew or sign up for the 2025/2026 gaming period!
If you’re an Island Health employee, the 50/50 Payday Lotto is your chance to win thousands of dollars every payday!
Since 1991, the Island Health Payday Lotto has been providing employees with a fun, easy, and rewarding way to support our local hospitals.
More than 10,000 Island Health employees participate in a 50/50 draw through payroll deduction. One lucky winner takes home half the jackpot, while the other half supports priority healthcare equipment needs. The Payday Lotto makes a big impact – for the winner and for our hospitals.
Last Year’s Biggest Jackpot was more than $82,000!
How it works:
- Use the online form to purchase up to five tickets per paycheque draw — tickets are only $5 each! Every lotto participant has to complete a new application form every year.
- The ticket amount will be automatically deducted from your paycheque every pay period.
- Payday Lotto draws take place every four weeks (one for both pay periods) and are audited by KPMG Chartered Professional Accountants.
- Winners receive 50% of the jackpot, are notified by their hospital’s foundation via phone, and are announced internally via email.
- The other half of the jackpot is allocated proportionally to the Island Health healthcare foundations involved in Payday Lotto. This means you are directly supporting healthcare in your region.
The foundations involved are:
- Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island
- Cowichan District Hospital Foundation
- Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation
- Lady Minto Hospital Foundation
- Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation
- Saanich Peninsula Hospital & Healthcare Foundation
- Tofino General Hospital
- Victoria Hospitals Foundation
- West Coast General Hospitals Foundation
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can play?
Anyone who is 19 or older, a resident of British Columbia, and a current employee of Island Health with a valid Island Health ID can participate.
Please contact us if you live out of province as there are additional restrictions.
For more information, please read the full Rules of Play.
How do I sign up?
You can sign up for the 2024–2025 period (April 1, 2024–March 31, 2025) at any time by completing the form online here.
How do I cancel my participation in Payday Lotto?
You can cancel at any time by Opting Out ($0 option) here: https://selfservice.islandhealth.ca/forms/requests/Finance/Lists/pay_day_lotto/NewForm.aspx
How do I know if I am playing?
You will receive a confirmation email and see the deductions on your pay stub in the current column next to the description of LOTTERY SI 50/. Alternatively you can contact us at VHFlotto@islandhealth.ca.
How do I know if I win?
We will phone you! You can also see a list of recent winners in the next section of this webpage called “Past Winners”.
Which foundations are involved in Payday Lotto?
Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island, Cowichan District Hospital Foundation, Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation, Lady Minto Hospital Foundation, Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation, Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation, Tofino General Hospital Foundation, Victoria Hospitals Foundation, and West Coast General Hospital Foundation.
Why aren’t I playing anymore? The deductions have stopped coming off my pay stub.
Our gaming license requires that all participants renew every spring. If you don’t re-register, you will automatically be taken off the program. Please complete the new online registration form for the 2024–2025 period (April 1, 2024–March 31, 2025) online here.
Winners (FY 2025/26) – BC Gaming License #158972
Past Winners (FY 2024/25) – BC Gaming License #147103
Draw Dates
The below Payday Lotto draw dates are for Fiscal Year April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026.
All Payday Lotto draws occur at 11:30 a.m. on the draw date.
April 17, 2025
On April 17, 2025, draws will occur for the following paydays:
- April 4, 2025
- April17, 2025
May 16, 2025
On May 16, 2025, draws will occur for the following paydays:
- May 2, 2025
- May 16, 2025
June 13, 2025
On June 13, 2025, draws will occur for the following paydays:
- May 30, 2025
- June 13, 2025
July 11, 2025
On July 11, 2025, draws will occur for the following paydays:
- June 27, 2025
- July 11, 2025
August 8, 2025
On August 8, 2025, draws will occur for the following paydays:
- July 25, 2025
- August 8, 2025
September 5, 2025
On September 5, 2025, draws will occur for the following paydays:
- August 22, 2025
- September 5, 2025
October 3, 2025
On October 3, 2025, draws will occur for the following paydays:
- September 19, 2025
- October 3, 2025
October 31, 2025
On October 31, 2025 draws will occur for the following paydays:
- October 17, 2025
- October 31, 2025
November 28, 2025
On November 28, 2025 draws will occur for the following paydays:
- November 14, 2025
- November 28, 2025
January 9, 2026
On January 9, 2025, draws will occur for the following paydays:
- December 12, 2025
- December 24, 2025
- January 9, 2026
January 23, 2026
On January 23, 2026, draws will occur for the following paydays:
- January 23, 2026
February 6, 2026
On February 20, 2026, draws will occur for the following paydays:
- February 6, 2026
- February 20, 2026
March 20, 2026
On March 20, 2026, draws will occur for the following paydays:
- March 6, 2026
- March 20, 2026
Legal Disclaimer
Tickets may not be sold or purchased outside of British Columbia. Ticket purchasers must be 19 years of age or older and if the winning ticket bears a minor’s name, the prize will be lawfully delivered on behalf of the minor to the minor’s parent, legal guardian, or trustee.
I Need Help
If you have any questions about our Payday Lotto process, please contact Barbara West, Development Coordinator at 250-519-1750 or by email at VHFlotto@islandhealth.ca. Thank you.
Gaming Information
Actual odds depends on the number of participants playing in each bi-weekly draw.
2025-2026 BC Gaming License ##158972 (April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026).
Know your limit, play within it. 19+ to play. Problem Gambling Help Line: 1-888-795-6111. www.bcresponsiblegambling.ca
Please Note
VHF will never ask players for credit card information regarding Payday Lotto enrolment. Deductions will come directly from your VIHA pay cheque.
Copyright 2023 Victoria Hospitals Foundation
Charitable Registration #10793 5637 RR0001