Royal Inland Hospital has the 11th best odds of any hospital in the province to see the first baby of the new year.
BCLC’s Playnow.com lists RIH’s odds of seeing BC’s first newborn at 26.00, meaning a successful $10 wager would pay out a total of $260.
That’s a less than 4% chance of hitting the “delivery jackpot,” which is based on the time those in a hospital delivery room make the final determination of birth.
“BC Women’s Hospital obviously welcomes more babies than any other hospital in the province. One of the busiest maternity wards in BC, even though that BC women’s hasn’t necessarily been the home of BC’s first years baby Since 2017,” noted Matt Lee with the BC Lottery Commission, which is — as per tradition — taking bets on the ‘new year’s baby.’
“In fact, in 2024 it was Royal Colombian Hospital in New West that welcomed BC’s first bundle of joy. So we’ll see how this year goes.”
Hospital rankings for 2025 ‘new year’s baby’/via BC Lottery Corporation
If the 4% odds aren’t to your liking, the BCLC has decided to continue a betting line it set last year — most popular baby names.
But don’t expect instant gratification.
The baby-name bet is a ‘long term’ wager.
“Something where you’re going to see the bet held for about the whole calendar year,” noted Lee, as the bet is based on the names registered through the course of each year.
“But let’s put it this way, if you put a couple dollars down and it pays out, you get a nice little late Christmas present at the end of 2025, right!”
Olivia remains the most popular girl name in the province, and remains PlayNow’s betting favorite for 2025.
Emma, Sophia and Charlotte close behind.
But jumping onto the 2025 list this year are Amelia, Ava and Isla – all trendy names in 2024.
For boy’s names, Noah and Oliver have been the leading contenders for the last several years, but are now being pressed for supremacy by the rising popularity of Liam and Theodore, Jack and Lucas, as well as Ethan and Leo.
A list of the most popular non-binary names to bet on this year was not included on the slip.
Wagering on the most popular names will remain open until January 31, 2025.
Betting on the first baby born closed at 6am on December 31, 2024.
Odds for 2025 most popular boy name in 2025/via BC Lottery Corporation
Odds for 2025 most popular girl name in 2025/via BC Lottery Corporation
