Sports fans in Toronto would be stunned by the record jackpot for Thursday night’s 50/50 draw at the CFL game in Edmonton.

There was a frenzy at Commonwealth Stadium, not because of the Battle of Alberta won by the Stampeders over the Eskimos, but because of a record jackpot which reached an astounding $348,534.

In their last home game against Ottawa, the jackpot of $71,732 went unclaimed and carried over to the game against Calgary.

The game drew more than 40,000 people, many of whom stood in long lineups for much of the first half to buy tickets.

Because of the heavy demand, the draw couldn’t be announced at the game. Instead, the winning number was announced on the team’s website.

The Eskimos said Connor Croken, 20, presented the winning ticket when the team’s office opened Friday morning.

The previous record for a 50/50 draw at a sporting event in Canada was believed to be from last year’s Grey Cup in Regina when the jackpot climbed to $252,087.

Fans at Raptors or Leafs games can only look at those jackpots with envy. Average jackpots at Leafs games are around $11,000, while it’s much lower at Raptors games.

The difference, some say, is because of a legal interpretation in Ontario that says charities can’t use electronic devices for raffles.

The mobile electronic devices allow tickets to be sold faster and the growing pot can be advertised on an arena’s big screen, enticing people to buy their own tickets.

But starting next season, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation is launching a pilot program that will allow 50/50 raffles to use mobile electronic devices at Leafs and Raptors games in Toronto, and Senators games in Ottawa.

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