Atlantic Lottery Withdrawal Review Under Way

A senior official from the Department of Business and Consumer Services is heading up the review of the decision to withdraw from the Atlantic Lottery Corp., Finance Minister Neil LeBlanc has announced.

"Clyde Horner has represented Nova Scotia interests in gaming and lotteries for more than two decades," said Mr. LeBlanc. "If anyone can determine potential weaknesses in the withdrawal plan, Mr. Horner can."

The review is part of the government's mandate to conduct a thorough, open, cost-benefit analysis on the decision to withdraw from the lottery corporation to ensure that it is in the best interests of Nova Scotians. The withdrawal announcement was made by the previous government earlier this year.

Mr. Horner has been involved in gaming regulation and development for the province in a variety of positions since 1978. He has been acting chief executive officer of the Nova Scotia Gaming Corp. and was executive director of the Casino Project Office.

Mr. Horner began his career in gaming regulation and development with the Nova Scotia Lottery Commission and, over 20 years, eventually became executive director of the commission. He was later executive director and CEO of the Nova Scotia Gaming Control Commission, now the Nova Scotia Alcohol and Gaming Authority. He also served on the board of the Atlantic Lottery Corp. and on the board of the North American Gaming Regulators Association.

No time limit has been set for the review. "The move to withdraw from the Atlantic Lottery Corp. and run VLTs and lotteries ourselves is an important business decision for the province," said Mr. LeBlanc. "I want to make sure we make the best business decision, and so I want the full and open analysis done properly."

Mr. Horner's report to the minister on the decision will be tabled in the House following a government decision on the matter.