Annual Report 2023-24

NSGC Summary of Results 2023-24

Letter from Minister

Who Does What

There is good work happening in the gaming industry. Find out how we work together to keep Nova Scotia’s regulated gaming industry sustainable and socially responsible.

Social Responsibility

At Nova Scotia Gaming, we’re committed to ensuring a responsible, accountable, and sustainable regulated gaming industry in Nova Scotia.

Looking back on the past year, we’re proud of the work we’ve accomplished with our two operating partners, Atlantic Lottery and Casino Nova Scotia, and the 1200+ retailers and business owners from across our province.

Our commitment to being socially responsible means ensuring the integrity of the gaming industry, giving players the information they need to make informed decisions about their play, and giving back to communities.

Our Pillars of Social Responsibility

Social Responsibility Charter cover.

Nova Scotia Gaming’s Social Responsibility Charter is the foundation of our commitment to Nova Scotians.

Gambling Literacy Campaign

We continued our year-long gambling literacy campaign, focused on promoting the setting of time and money limits and encouraging healthy play behaviours.

Healthy Play Programs and Training

We delivered responsible gambling programs throughout the province, and provided responsible gambling training for our staff, as well as through Atlantic Lottery and Casino Nova Scotia for employees working in the industry.

Incident Reporting

Reported 239 incidents (compared to 208 last year) related to Section 24(1)(e) of the Gaming Control Act. With 14 remaining open at year-end (compared to 16 last year). We continue to work with our gaming operators to address all open incidents to protect the integrity and security of the industry.

Responsible Gambling Assessment Program

Conducted 1,229 assessments (compared to 1,039 last year), for any project, initiative, product or marketing campaign in Nova Scotia before they were released into market. This program is designed to ensure new products, marketing, initiatives, promotions, and programs are reviewed using objective risk-based criteria.

Where the Money Goes

Where the money comes from chart

Payment to Province (29%)

$147.0 million

Prizes (29%)

$147.9 million

Retailer Commissions (6%)

$35.5 million

Operations, Equipment & Salaries (26%)

$127.4 million

Other (10%)

Prevention, Education & Treatment (1%): $6.1 million
Community Contributions (2%): $10.4 million
Taxes (less payroll taxes) (7%): $38.1 million

Where the Money Comes From

Where the money comes from chart

This chart reflects Total Revenue that agrees with NSGC’s financial statements.

$364.5 million

Total revenue

Ticket Lottery (40%)

$146.0 million

Video Lottery (34.5%)

$125.6 million

Casinos (25.5%)

$92.9 million

Delivering Results

We’re proud that 100% of gaming profits fund what matters most to Nova Scotians, helping to fund important programs and services including healthcare, roads, schools, culture sector and sports.

In 2023-24, the Payment to Province was

$147.0
Million

laptop icon.

Outcomes & Performance Measures

Gross sales

Target:
$507.2 million

Outcome:
$512.4 million

Gross sales were higher than expected due to strong performance in the Halifax Casino and the lack of disruptions from the Cogswell Interchange Development Project.

Payment to Province

Target:
$175.2 million

Outcome:
$147.0 million

The payment to province was lower than expected due to a settlement with the Canada Revenue Agency that required us to record an HST expense of $29.3 million, combined with lower revenue in Video Lotteries.

Economic Impact

sales ticket icon.

$35.5

Million in retailer commissions

ticket icon.

969

Ticket lottery retailers

key icon.

250

Video lottery retailers

coin icon.

$21.7

Million in wages and benefits

heart in hand icon.

$6.1

Million in prevention, education and treatment.

toolbox icon

400+

Nova Scotians directly employed in the gaming industry

Operations

Nova Scotia Gaming is responsible for the conduct and management of the regulated gaming industry. We do this effectively by establishing appropriate strategic goals for our operators and setting performance measures. In performing this role, we oversee the gaming operators, Atlantic Lottery Corporation  and Casino Nova Scotia, who carry out the day-to-day business.

View the performance measures for:

AtlanticLottery
  • Awarded 43 Atlantic Lottery players with prizes of over $100,000 in 2023-24, right here in Nova Scotia.
  • Thrilled Lotto Max fans with 32 Maxmillions events during the year.
  • Launched many new games in 2023-24, particularly in the popular Digital Instants category, including a total of 46 Digital Instant Games, 38 Scratch N’ Win games and 5 Video Lottery Games.
  • Retired 4 video lottery terminals from the market through attrition in 2023-24, with a total of 221 VLTs being removed since 2011.
CasinoNS
  • Entertained guests throughout the year, with 16 concerts and hosted 7 big events, including sold-out Songwriter’s Circle shows.
  • Hosted promotional events, such as gift giveaways, which took place every Friday and Saturday during the year.
  • Continued to enhance the guest experience with a buffet offering, including a Veterans Buffet prior to Remembrance Day, which provided armed forces and first responder personnel with a free buffet.

Community Programs

Nova Scotia Gaming supports numerous community initiatives because we believe good corporate citizenship starts in the community.

communityprograms
Annual Report 2023-24

The program has far-reaching impacts. We are proud to highlight achievements in sport at the yearly Support4Sport Awards.

MILLION

contributed this year

Support4Sport

205

athletes supported

72

coaches/officials supported

112

community sport organizations supported

Since Inception

The program has contributed over

MILLION

to support amateur athletes, coaches, officials, and community sport organizations.

172,000+

NOVA SCOTIANS IMPACTED EACH YEAR

Jack Hanratty

Head Coach of Canada Women’s Sevens Rugby Team for the Paris Olympics 2024

“Through help from Support4Sport, I got to travel, to learn from different environments, and I got some incredible mentors and it’s a reason for where I am today.”

Annual Report 2023-24

Supporting arts, culture, and heritage in communities across Nova Scotia, Support4Culture is another designated lottery program.

MILLION

Contributed this year

Support4Culture

473

projects supported

69.4%

of Nova Scotians support revenue going to this program

Since Inception

Since inception in 2013, this program has contributed more than

MILLION

to date for aspiring and established artists and community arts, culture, and heritage organizations.

Jah’Mila

Musician

“It’s important to foster arts in terms of not only funding, but opportunities and workshops. Funding is the backbone, but ultimately, the infrastructure for support around the arts should be designed to optimally support the independent artists.”

Support for communities icon.

This program provides supports to community organizations looking to have a greater impact in their communities.

THOUSAND

Contributed this year.

Support4Communities

$109.3

Thousand raised this year by organizations with NSGC’s help.

Since Inception

Since inception in 2013, this program has contributed more than

THOUSAND