Gaming Revenue Numbers Released

The Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation contributed $191 million to the province for government programs and services in 2002-03, says the corporation's annual report, released today, Aug. 15. That's up from the $178 million contributed in 2001-02.

About $163 million of the total came from ticket and video lottery business and $32 million came from the province's two casinos. The corporation also committed about $4 million to responsible gaming programs and other expenses, resulting in a payment to the province of $191 million.

The annual report notes the year was highlighted by responsible gaming initiatives, including completion of the VLT replacement plan begun in 2001-02. All VLTs are now equipped with new games and four responsible gaming features.

Nova Scotia was also the first gaming jurisdiction in Canada to hold a Responsible Gaming Awareness Week in an effort to bring heightened awareness to the importance of playing games of chance responsibly.

As 2002-03 was coming to a close, there was a notable decline in revenues across all business lines. That has continued into this year. First-quarter results for 2003-04 show a revenue decrease of $12 million over the previous year, resulting in a payment to the province of $37 million, $7 million lower than last yeará

Gaming Corporation officials say the decrease is in response to such things as product maturation, increased competition for the entertainment dollar and heightened responsible gaming awareness initiatives.

The decline is expected to continue into 2003-04. Profit projections in this year's Gaming Corporation's business plan project payment to the province of $178 million for the year.

In addition to government revenue, gaming provides 1,200 direct jobs in Nova Scotia and more than $52 million in commissions to lottery retailers, many of whom are small business owners.

The Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation's annual report is available on the Web site at www.gamingcorp.ns.ca/about/about2.htm