Gaming Report Released

The province received less money from gaming in 2004 than it did just one year earlier, says a new report.

The Nova Scotia Annual Gaming Report for the years 2002-03 and 2003-04, shows total revenue to the province was $182.3 million in 2003-04, down 7.4 per cent from $196.9 million the year before.

The report, released today, Oct. 25, attributed the drop to lower Atlantic Lottery wagers, increased prize payouts, and increased operating expenses for VLTs and the casinos.

It shows that Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) wagers are still up, but that the percentage increase has dropped significantly. The latest year shows a seven per cent increase in wagers, compared to a 33 per cent increase in 2002-03.

This is the first year the province has released a report covering two fiscal years. It makes the reporting schedule of the alcohol and gaming division of the Department of Environment and Labour more consistent with that of the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation and the Atlantic Lottery Corporation.

The alcohol and gaming division was created to regulate and control casinos and other lottery activities in the public interest and to ensure gaming activities are conducted in a fair and honest manner.