Annual Report 2024-25

Summary of Results 2024-25

Letter from Minister

Who Does What

Find out how we work together to keep Nova Scotia’s regulated gaming industry sustainable and socially responsible.

Our Pillars of 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

Annual Report 2024-25

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

Gambling Literacy Campaign

Continued the year-long gambling literacy campaign, focusing efforts on promoting the setting of time and money limits and encouraging healthy play behaviours.  Visit yourbestbet.ca to learn more. 

Healthy Play Programs and Training

Delivered healthy play programs, including providing healthy play training through Atlantic Lottery and Casino Nova Scotia for employees working in the industry.

Incident Reporting

Reported 223 incidents related to Section 24(1)(e) of the Gaming Control Act. We continue to work with our gaming operators to address and resolve all reported incidents to protect the integrity and security of the industry. 

Healthy Play Assessment Program

Conducted 1,136 assessments (compared to 1,229 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 Goes

Prizes (29%)

$153.4 million

Payment to Province (37%)

$196.1 million

Retailer Commissions (7%)

$34.5 million

Equipment, Operations & Salaries (19%)

$98.7 million

Other (8%)

Taxes (less payroll taxes) (5%): $24.4 million
Community Contributions (2%): $11.0 million
Prevention, Education & Treatment (1%): $6.6 million

Where the Money Comes From

Where the money comes from chart

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

$371.3 million

Total revenue

Ticket Lottery (41.7%)

$155.1 million

Video Lottery (32.8%)

$121.7 million

Casinos (25.5%)

$94.5 million

Delivering Results

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

In 2024-25, the Payment to Province was

$196.1
Million

Annual Report 2024-25

Outcomes & Performance Measures

Gross sales

Target:
$527.4 million

Outcome:
$524.7 million

Gross revenue is lower than expected primarily due to under performance in Video Lottery, Scratch’N Win and Sports, partially offset by strong performance in iCasino.

Payment to Province

Target:
$178.4 million

Outcome:
$196.1 million

Payment to province is higher than target due to the receipt of onetime payments related to gaming operations in 2024-25.

Economic Impact

Annual Report 2024-25

$34.5

Million in retailer commissions

Annual Report 2024-25

964

Ticket lottery retailers

Annual Report 2024-25

241

Video lottery retailers

Annual Report 2024-25

$22.8

Million in wages and benefits

Annual Report 2024-25

$6.6

Million in prevention, education and treatment.

Annual Report 2024-25

440+

Number of 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 ensuring the operators meet specific performance measures. 

View the performance measures for:

  • Awarded 52 Atlantic Lottery players with prizes of over $100,000 in 2024-25, right here in Nova Scotia, with 5 of the 52 being over $1 Million.
  • Thrilled Lotto Max fans with 56 Maxmillions events during the year.
  • Launched many new games in 2024-25, particularly in the popular Digital Instants category with 46 Digital Instant Games, as well as 36 Scratch N’ Win games, 93 iCasino games and five Video Lottery Games.
  • Retired 11 video lottery terminals from the market through attrition in 2024-25, with a total of 232 VLTs being removed since 2011. 
  • Entertained guests throughout the year, with 17 concerts and hosted 10 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. 
  • Supported more than 29 local charities and community groups through a combination of cash donations, in-kind contributions, and volunteer hours. 

Community Programs

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

Annual Report 2024-25
support for sport icon.

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

MILLION

contributed this year

Annual Report 2024-25

244

athletes supported

92

coaches/officials supported

87

community sport organizations supported

Since Inception

The program has contributed over

MILLION

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

163,000+

NOVA SCOTIANS IMPACTED EACH YEAR

Shaniya Vance

Volleyball Coach

“It’s really important that young women see representation of themselves in their own sport … Because Nova Scotia Gaming has Support4Sport, I’m able to continue engaging in education that better supports me, my athletes, and future generations.”

Support for culture lcon.

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

MILLION

Contributed this year

Annual Report 2024-25

424

projects supported

73.3%

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.

Maggie Andrew

Musician

“Through Support4Culture, I’ve met so many incredible people. We’re creating a community where we’re all supporting each other—it’s like a family … I wouldn’t be here without the funding.”

Annual Report 2024-25

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

THOUSAND

Contributed this year.

Annual Report 2024-25

$104.3

Thousand raised this year by organizations with NSGC’s help

170

Casino night events hosted with NSGC’s help, since inception

Since Inception,

with NSGC’s help, organizations have raised

MILLION