swipe left to begin
2019 - 2020
Summary of Results
Nova Scotians Do Good Work in Gaming
We make Nova Scotia a better place by returning 100% of the profits to government programs and good causes that are important to Nova Scotians.
At Nova Scotia Gaming, we’re proud that 100 percent of gaming profits are helping to fund what matters most to Nova Scotians.
Each time you play one of our games, the profits are invested back into our province to help fund important programs and services including healthcare, roads, schools, cultural industries and sports.
How much was NSGC's Payment to Province in 2019-2020?
WORKING TOGETHER TO DELIVER RESULTS
There is good work happening in Nova Scotia’s gaming industry. Find out how we all work together to keep the regulated gaming industry sustainable and socially responsible in Nova Scotia.
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE INDUSTRY
$35.5 million
Retailer Commissions
1012
Ticket Lottery Retailers
266
Video Lottery Retailers
$21.2 million
Wages & Benefits
500+ Nova Scotians are also directly employed in the gaming industry.
GOOD WORK IN GAMING
$6.6 million
Prevention, Education & Treatment
$4.2 million
Support4Sport
$4.0 million
Support4Culture
$0.2 million
Support4Communities
COVID-19 Response
In March 2020, NSGC along with its operators, Casino Nova Scotia and Atlantic Lottery, responded to the COVID-19 global pandemic by closing casinos, suspending VLT operations and adjusting business practices to adhere to guidelines outlined by federal and provincial health authorities.
NSGC, Casino Nova Scotia and Atlantic Lottery continue to work together to follow health officials’ guidance and precautions.
In preparation for reopening of operations, NSGC developed a plan that operators in the Nova Scotia regulated gambling sector will adhere to in addition to guidelines outlined by federal and provincial health authorities.
Responsible
We believe responsible gambling is about fostering an environment that promotes safer play and informed decisions.
We delivered a comprehensive suite of responsible gambling programs, including working with Atlantic Lottery and Casino Nova Scotia to provide responsible gambling training for staff working in the industry.
Both the Halifax and Sydney Casinos were re-accredited through the RG Check Program in 2019. This program was created by the Responsible Gambling Council, an independent, non-profit organization. The RG Check Accreditation process involves an extensive review of responsible gambling programs.
In October 2019, we marked the 18th annual Responsible Gambling Awareness Week. The campaign achieved all its key objectives and 63% of Nova Scotians surveyed felt the Responsible Gambling Awareness Week advertisements made them think about their own, or someone else’s gambling.
We modernized the Voluntary Self-Exclusion program to offer casino patrons an effective responsible gambling tool in managing their play and accessing support if they need it. Changes were implemented to the Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program at Casino Nova Scotia on January 22, 2020.
Updates to the program to include:
- Forfeiture of wins;
- New term lengths of 6 months, 1 year, 3 years and indefinite, and;
- New reinstatement protocol.
Accountable
We are accountable for managing the regulated gaming industry in the province. That means leading an economically sustainable and socially responsible gaming industry that makes Nova Scotia a better place.
We moved to an audit-based approach for the Responsible Gambling Assessment program. The program is designed to ensure new products, marketing, initiatives, promotions and programs are reviewed using objective risk-based criteria.
In total, 887 assessments were completed before they were released into market.
Expectations for performance management of our two operators, Atlantic Lottery and Casino Nova Scotia, are now outlined on Nova Scotia Gaming’s website. This illustrates our commitment to transparency in how we manage all our lines of business.
In 2019-20 we maintained shareholder and stakeholder support and communications:
- Conducted regular meetings throughout the 2019-20 year with NSGC’s Board;
- Delivered quarterly financial and community reports;
- Provided updates on strategic and operational matters to the Minister responsible for Part I of the Gaming Control Act; and,
- Held regular meetings with Atlantic Lottery and Casino Nova Scotia, as we as stakeholder groups.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Sharing our financial statements is part of our commitment to being open and transparent in everything we do.
Operational Highlights
We are accountable for managing the regulated gaming industry in the province. That means leading an economically sustainable and socially responsible gaming industry that makes Nova Scotia a better place.
Lotto Max fans were thrilled by the chance to win 35 Maxmillions events during the year.
In total, 29 Atlantic Lottery players won a prize of over $100,000 in 2019-20, right here in Nova Scotia.
ATLANTIC LOTTERY
- Atlantic Lottery launched Hit or Miss, a new regional draw game, ahead of schedule on September 20, 2019.
- Lotto Max was revamped to a two-draw-per-week format (Tuesdays and Fridays) in May 2019. There were several record breaking jackpots!
- 18 VLTs were retired through attrition. This brings the total number or terminals permanently removed from the market through attrition to 209 since 2011.
CASINO NOVA SCOTIA
- Casino Nova Scotia welcomed entertainment including several Songwriters Circle events as part of the Nova Scotia Music Hall of Fame Inductee celebrations in February.
- Casino Nova Scotia incorporated player feedback to further enhance the effectiveness of offerings at Halifax and Sydney. This included improving food and beverage quality, buffet options and specials such as lobster and wings specials.
Community Programs
We continued to contribute to causes important to Nova Scotians through three hallmark community programs.
Support4Sport
Support4Sport, a designated ticket lottery program, is making meaningful impacts to sport throughout the province.
$4.2 Million
Support4Sport
Since its inception, the program has contributed over $46.8 million to support amateur athletes, coaches, officials, and community sport organizations.
“One of our mottos is ‘Challenge Perceptions, Challenge Barriers.’ One of the major barriers that our athletes, their families, and our organization face is the financial burden of organized activities. The funding we received from Support4Sport removes this burden for everyone.”
Randy Crouse, Fort Ellis, NS
Challenger Baseball – Started Nova Scotia chapter of Challenger Baseball
In 2019-20, Support4Sport funding included:
- 209 athlete allocations;
- 61 coach and official allocations; and,
- 272 community and provincial sport organizations allocations, which reach 125,000 Nova Scotians on an annual basis.
We were proud to highlight their achievements at the annual Support4Sport Awards, this year taking place virtually!
SUPPORT4CULTURE
Another designated lottery program is Support4Culture, which supports arts, culture, and heritage in communities across Nova Scotia.
$4.0 Million
Support4Culture
More than $16 Million has been distributed across Nova Scotia since 2013 for the Support4Culture program.
“The funding we receive impacts the whole of Cape Breton. It allows us to do more with our culture and gives visitors a taste of what it’s like in Cape Breton year-round. With this funding, we’re able to hire local musicians and technicians to help promote Gaelic culture.”
Margie Beaton
The Gaelic College
SUPPORT4COMMUNITIES
Support4Communities is a Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation Program that helps organizations learn how to improve their fundraising efforts.
$0.2 Million
Support4Communities
In total, NSGC helped 12 organizations raise more than $175,000 for good causes across the province.
MORE COMMUNITY SUPPORT
$1 Million
Harness Racing Industry
$50,000
Exhibition Association of Nova Scotia
$50,000
Cultural Federation of Nova Scotia
$100,000
Sport Nova Scotia
Casino employees represent Great Canadian Gaming Corporation’s values of citizenship through the PROUD program.
Together, we all take pride funding what matters to Nova Scotians, too.
OTHER COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Hospice Halifax
Support4Sport Awards
VIP Coach Program
Halifax Wanderers
Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame Induction Night
Robert Merritt Theatre Awards
Association of Nova Scotia Museums Conference