Operator News

Canada – Loto-Québec generates best results since 2006

By Phil - 12 June 2023

Canadian operator Loto-Québec generated total revenues of $2.999bn, an increase of $781.3m or 35.2 per centover 2021–2022, securing its best ever results since 2006.

Its consolidated net income was $1.600bn, up $456.8m or 40 per cent from the 2021–2022 fiscal year, which, it is worth noting, had been affected by closures. Increases over the same period of the pre-pandemic fiscal year (2019–2020) amount to 9.4 per cent for revenues and 18.2 per cent for net income.

The company said: “Such exceptional results can largely be attributed to sound management efforts across all sectors of the organization.will pay a dividend of $1.597bn to the Government of Québec as a result of its 2022–2023 operations. This is Loto-Québec’s best performance since the Tobacco Control Act came into force in 2006, significantly impacting traffic at gaming establishments. Streamlining its operations resulted in an excellent ratio of total expenses to revenues of 29.2 per cent, over 33 per cent in 2019–2020. Customers showed a great deal of enthusiasm as they reconnected with entertainment activities after a prolonged period of pandemic restrictions, and all teams rallied to meet their expectations.

CEO Jean-François Bergeron said: “Our teams came together to provide the people of Québec with the gaming and entertainment experience Loto‑Québec is known for, and their work and the overall sound management yielded exceptional results. We have our talented and dedicated employees to thank for being in such a good position after some difficult years. There’s a lot to be proud of when you consider that 100% of what we generate goes back to the people and province of Québec.”

“True to our commitment to conduct our business in a socially responsible manner, we approached every decision with this lens, and paid particular attention to our gaming website. In addition to promoting the responsible gambling tools offered on lotoquebec.com, we made a concerted effort to counter the advertising of illegal gambling websites and to inform the public that ours is the only 100 per cent legal gaming website in Québec.”

“Our support of the visual arts and of many festivals and events across Québec is one of our major contributions. We’re also proud to support many causes and organizations such as the Moisson food banks, the Fondation Les Petits Rois and AlterGo. It’s also worth mentioning that we have made strides in our environmental sustainability efforts.”

Winners were awarded over $1.5bn through lottery games, Kinzo and network bingo. Lottery games resulted in a total of 107 prizes of $1m or more, thereby crowning 84 new millionaires. Loto-Québec paid out the biggest jackpot in its history to a Montérégie resident who won $70,027,052 with Lotto Max. Another record was set when a Lanaudière resident won $3,056,175 at a three-card poker table at the Casino de Montréal.

Responsible commercialization remained a priority for Loto-Québec. In addition to all our employees’ efforts in this respect, $33.6m were invested in preventing problem gambling, so that a game remains a game. This sum was used to roll out campaigns promoting responsible gambling tools offered to players both at establishments and online, to train employees and retailers and to contribute to research projects, among other endeavours.

Loto-Québec’s operations generate significant spin-offs across Québec. With its Les rendez-vous Loto-Québec program, it supports over 50 events that are committed to social responsibility and that bring people together across the province. Loto-Québec also implemented several initiatives aimed at reducing its environmental footprint and reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 38.3 per cent from their 2009 levels.

Lottery revenues amounted to $996.1m. This represents a slight decrease of $11.3m or 1.1 per cent over 2021–2022 but is still an excellent result since it comes on the heels of a record year.

At $124.2m, online lottery sales revenues report a $6.3m, up 5.4 per cent increase and now represent 12.5 per cent of the sector’s total revenues, over 4.2 per cent in 2019–2020.

The casino and gaming hall sector had its best year ever with revenues of $1.101bn, a $444m, up 67.6 per cent increase over the previous fiscal year, which had been affected by periods of closure. Online casino revenues have increased by $4.6m, up 1.7 per cent, for a total of $269.9m. They now account for 24.5 per cent of the sector’s total revenues, over 10 per cent in 2019–2020.

The gaming establishment sector, which includes video lottery terminals (VLTs) in bars, event betting, Kinzo and network bingo, reported revenues of $922.2m. This represents an increase of $362m, up 64.6 per cent over the previous fiscal year. This difference can be explained by the closure of many establishments from April 1 to mid-June 2021, and from December 20, 2021, to February 28, 2022, whereas this year’s operations were uninterrupted. VLT revenues remain comparable to pre-pandemic levels.

At $403.9m, revenues from the lotoquebec.com gaming website (lottery and casino games and event betting) were up $13m, up 3.3 per cent from 2021–2022. The website’s revenues represent 13.5 per cent of Loto-Québec’s total revenues.

The company added: “These last few years, the website reported a significant traffic increase when establishments had to close due to the pandemic. Many clients who made it a habit to purchase and play online still do so. Not only has the corporation continued to improve its website, it has also made considerable efforts to promote the responsible gambling tools it offers.”