Press release

Montréal, August 19, 2016 – Loto-Québec performed well at the start of the 2016-2017 financial year. Revenues increased slightly to $863.9 million (+$3.5 M or 0.4%), and net earnings reached $308.0 million (+$9.3 M or 3.1%) compared to the same period the previous year, which was two days longer.

Rigorous management helped reduce expenses by $6.6 M (-2.8%) during the quarter compared to the same period last year. With a fifth consecutive quarter of improved performance, Loto-Québec’s renewal strategy is continuing to produce good results.

Casinos maintain their progress
• At the end of the first quarter, casinos reported revenues of $200.9 M and net earnings of $51.2 M, i.e. respective increases of $10.3 M (+5.4%) and $7.6 M (+17.3%).
• Efforts to enhance our entertainment offerings continue to feed the dynamic nature of our casinos.

Return to normal for lotteries
• The lotteries sector generated revenues of $428.8 M and net earnings of $112.7 M, slight declines of $4.6 M (-1.1%) and $0.2 M (-0.2%), respectively.
• The sector has returned to normal trends following the exceptional number of large jackpots offered last year. Lottery ticket sales usually increase significantly when jackpots are very large.
• Loto-Québec paid out $231.4 M in prizes to lottery winners, including 19 prizes worth $1 M or more.

Stable performance by gaming establishments
• The gaming establishment sector reported revenues of $240.0 M, which is a slight decline of $1.7 M (-0.7%).
• Net earnings reached $144.2 M, an increase of $2.0 M (+1.4%).
• Gaming halls continue to perform well (+8.7%), while revenues from video lottery terminals in bars and brasseries decreased slightly (-0.7%).

Online gaming continues to grow
• Espacejeux.com revenues total $17.2 million, an increase of $3.1 M (+21.6%).
• The increase was noted for both lottery games (+24.7%) and casino games (+19.3%).

The quarterly report [in French only, PDF – 1.5 MB] is available on Loto-Québec’s website.