MONTRÉAL, June 7, 2023 /CNW/ - Loto-Québec will pay a dividend of $1.597B to the Government of Québec as a result of its 2022–2023 operations. The corporation generated total revenues of $2.999B, an increase of $781.3M (+35.2%) over 2021–2022. Its consolidated net income was $1.600B, up $456.8M (+40.0%) 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% for revenues and 18.2% for net income. Such exceptional results can largely be attributed to sound management efforts across all sectors of the organization.
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%, over 33.0% 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.
"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," said Jean-François Bergeron.
"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% 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."
Over $1.5B paid out to winners!
Winners were awarded over $1.5B 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 gambling management, both at establishments and online
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.
Major social and environmental contributions
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% from their 2009 levels.
Lottery
- Lottery revenues amounted to $996.1M. This represents a slight decrease of $11.3M (–1.1%) 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 (+5.4%) increase and now represent 12.5% of the sector's total revenues, over 4.2% in 2019–2020.
Casinos and gaming halls
- The casino and gaming hall sector had its best year ever with revenues of $1.101B, a $444.0M (+67.6%) increase over the previous fiscal year, which had been affected by periods of closure.
- Online casino revenues have increased by $4.6M (+1.7%), for a total of $269.9M. They now account for 24.5% of the sector's total revenues, over 10.0% in 2019–2020.
Gaming establishments
- 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 $362.0M (+64.6%) 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.
Online gaming
- At $403.9M, revenues from the lotoquebec.com gaming website (lottery and casino games and event betting) were up $13.0M (+3.3%) from 2021–2022. The website's revenues represent 13.5% of Loto-Québec's total revenues.
- 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.
The 2022–2023 Annual Report [PDF – 15.5 MB, in French only] is available on Loto-Québec's website. The English version will be available at a later date.
SOURCE Loto-Québec
Source and for more information: Renaud Dugas, Spokesperson and Head of Media Relations, Loto-Québec, 514-499-5208, [email protected]
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