Gaming Minister seeks Performance Review of Lottery CEO

Angus MacIsaac, acting Minister responsible for the Gaming Control Act, is seeking a review of the performance of Atlantic Lottery Corporation Chief Executive Officer Michelle Carinci.

Mr. MacIsaac sent a letter today, Nov. 16, directing the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation to make a request to the Atlantic Lottery Corporation board of directors to conduct a review of Ms. Carinci's performance.

The lottery corporation, which manages Atlantic Canada's ticket and video-lottery businesses, is governed by a board representing all four provinces.

"There are some obvious problems at the corporation related to ticket lottery sales and procurement processes," Mr. MacIsaac said in a letter to John Khattar, chair of the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation. "Nova Scotians have a right to expect that these issues are addressed in a timely and proper way."

Mr. MacIsaac said that based upon Ms. Carinci's presentation to the public accounts committee of the Nova Scotia legislature on Wednesday, Nov. 14, he was deeply concerned that she did not understand the importance of the issues facing the lottery corporation.

A series of investigations have shown that lottery retailers have won prizes more often than an average lottery participant, and recently the corporation's procurement processes have come under scrutiny.

He said he has a responsibility to ensure that gaming businesses are managed fairly and properly.