Press release

Montréal, October 27, 2017 – Halfway through FY 2017‑2018, Loto‑Québec is reporting increased income. For the six‑month period ending on September 25, 2017, consolidated revenues reached $1.814 billion, higher by $60.7 million (+3.5%) compared to the same period in 2016‑2017. Net income reached $678.6 million, up by $39.5 million (+6.2%). This is the 10^th consecutive quarter that revenues have increased.

LOTTERIES

• The $35.0 million increase in revenues is primarily attributable to sales of the new terminal-based Grande Vie game launched on October 18, 2016. Loto‑Québec’s market share of this pan-Canadian lottery remains high at 34.7%.
• As for the three national products (Lotto Max, Lotto 6/49 and Grande Vie), Loto‑Québec had the best sales performance among the five Canadian lottery corporations. The excellent visibility given to the many jackpot winners during the period and measures implemented to stimulate instant lottery offerings also contributed to its impressive performance.
• During the six‑month period, the Corporation paid out close to 9,200 prizes or prize shares worth over $1,000 to lottery winners, including 48 prizes worth over $1 million.

CASINOS

• Casinos report higher revenues from continually renewed gaming and entertainment offerings.
• The overall number of visits increased by 222,000 (+4.6%) compared to the same dates last year.
• Patronage by tourists from outside Québec is also going up in all four casinos.

GAMING ESTABLISHMENTS

• Higher revenues are mostly attributable to gaming halls, who continue to put in a good showing.
• Entertainment activities held in the halls are as popular as ever, drawing in increasing numbers of people. Gaming halls welcomed some 34,000 more visitors (+8%) than at the same dates last year.
• The reconfiguration of the video lottery terminal network in bars and brasseries continues as planned.
• The five bingo halls that will participate in the electronic bingo pilot project have been selected.

ONLINE GAMING

• Loto‑Québec’s online gaming site continues to record increasing revenues, with $50.0 million for the six‑month period – all games combined –, or $14.9 million higher (+42.3%) than during the same period last year.
• Work to streamline the browsing experience is underway and progressing well.

Finally, Loto‑Québec’s 2017‑2020 Strategic Plan was submitted to the National Assembly on September 28, 2017. It puts forward the following four major directions to guide the Corporation’s activities over the next three years: place the customer at the heart of all our decisions; develop new growth opportunities that combine gaming with entertainment; improve the social following of our business and offerings; and improve our flexibility and the way we get things done.

The quarterly report [PDF – 906 ko] is available on Loto-Québec’s website.