Press release

Montréal, June 4, 2021 — Loto-Québec’s 2020–2021 fiscal year was marked by the suspension of many of the Corporation’s activities. During this time, casinos and gaming halls were shut down, some for more than nine months. The Corporation also halted much of its video lottery, network bingo and Kinzo operations and stopped lottery ticket sales at retail locations for some weeks.

As such, Loto-Québec’s total revenues reached $1.408 billion at the end of the fiscal year. This is a decrease of $1.333 billion (-48.6%) from the previous year. The consolidated net income was $457.6 million, down $895.8 million (‑66.2%).

“Several of Loto-Québec’s commercial activities were suspended for much of the year due to the COVID‑19 pandemic, which had a significant impact on revenues and net income. The Corporation nevertheless paid a dividend of $432.6 million to the Government of Québec,” explains Lynne Roiter, the outgoing President and CEO of Loto-Québec.

Despite the situation, Loto-Québec made a point to keep its contributions to the community going throughout the year, particularly its funding of sponsored events, which were hit hard by the pandemic, and the arts community. It also continued to work with several non-profit organizations to provide support to those who need it most.

“This past year brought its share of challenges for the teams. However, the actions taken made it possible to limit the financial impact of the Corporation’s activities being suspended. We can now focus our energy on gradually resuming all business segments of the Corporation—casinos and gaming halls, video lottery terminals, network bingo and Kinzo—now that the lockdown is being lifted. The Corporation can therefore look to the coming year with much greater optimism,” says Jean-François Bergeron, the new President and CEO of Loto-Québec.

HIGHLIGHTS

• When gaming establishments reopened in the summer of 2020, strict measures were put in place to protect the health and safety of customers and employees. No COVID-19 outbreaks ever occurred.

• The Corporation paid out 110 prizes of $1 million or more to lottery winners. The biggest jackpot over the course of the fiscal year, which was won in October 2020 in Montréal, hit $70 million.

• The Corporation’s 2020–2023 Strategic Plan [PDF – 2.4 MB, in French only] was tabled a few weeks ago. It sets out Loto‑Québec’s four main areas of focus: increasing consumer knowledge, offering a wide and quality range of gaming options, maintaining a strong commitment to the community, and continually improving its performance.

• Of all the sectors, the lottery sector was the least affected by the pandemic, with a 7.4% decrease in revenues compared to the previous fiscal year. Instant lottery games saw revenue growth, in part due to the addition of new online games. Event betting performed well despite there being fewer sporting events or them being postponed.

• Casinos and gaming halls were closed for much of the year. As a result, their revenues declined by 65.6%.

• The gaming establishment sector—which includes video lottery terminals in bars, as well as bingo and Kinzo—also suspended its activities. As a result, its revenues decreased by 75.1% from 2019–2020.

• Some customers turned to lotoquebec.com when casinos and gaming halls closed and lottery ticket sales were suspended at retail locations.

• Expenses, including cost of sales, decreased by 31.5% compared to the previous fiscal year. Faced with commercial operations being significantly reduced, the Corporation undertook an extensive optimization exercise, in which all sectors were involved. Significant cost-saving measures, which impacted its operations and entire workforce, were implemented.

• May 30 marked the end of Lynne Roiter’s term as President and CEO of Loto-Québec. The Corporation is incredibly grateful for her more than 35 years of loyal service. We want to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks to her and wish her successor, Jean-François Bergeron, a warm welcome.

The 2020–2021 Annual Report [PDF – 3.5 MB, in French only] is available on Loto-Québec’s website. The English version will be available at a later date.