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Loto-Québec

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Loto-Québec
Company typeCrown corporation
FoundedDecember 1969[1]
Headquarters500 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Area served
Quebec
Key people
Ann MacDonald (Chair of the Board of Directors)
Jean-François Bergeron (President and Chief Executive Officer)
Productslotteries, casinos, gaming halls, online gaming, video lottery terminals, bingo, Kinzo
RevenueDecreaseCA$2.932 billion (2023)[2]
DecreaseCA$1,511 billion (2023)[3]
OwnerGovernment of Quebec
Number of employees
5,800
SubsidiariesCasiloc inc.
Lotim Inc.
Technologies Nter
Société des casinos du Québec
Société des établissements de jeux du Québec
Websitesociete.lotoquebec.com

Loto-Québec is a crown corporation in the Canadian province of Quebec. Established in 1969, it oversees lottery and gaming in the province.

The corporation operates lottery games such as draw games and scratch cards, casinos and gaming halls, bingo parlors, video lottery, and online gambling via its Espacejeux service. It is a member of the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation and administers national games within the province.

Organization

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Loto-Québec's headquarters in Montreal, blocked during the 2012 Quebec student protests

Loto-Québec's activities are managed by several subsidiaries:

  • The Société des casinos du Québec operates four casinos in the province (Casino de Montréal, Casino de Charlevoix, Casino du Lac-Leamy, and Casino de Mont-Tremblant)[4] as well as restaurant and hotel services.
  • The Société des établissements de jeux du Québec operates a network of around 12,000 video lottery terminals in bars, brasseries, and two gaming hall entertainment complexes in Quebec City and Trois-Rivières. It also operates a bingo network and a Kinzo hall.
  • Casiloc inc. is responsible for construction projects, acquiring furniture and equipment, and renting casino premises. It is also in charge of purchasing property for the lottery, video lottery, and bingo sectors of operations.
  • Lotim Inc. owns the building at 500 Sherbrooke Street West in Montréal that houses the head offices of Loto-Québec and its subsidiaries.
  • Technologies Nter develops or acquires and operates computer systems that support Loto-Québec.

Loto-Québec employs more than 5,000 people[5] including nearly 4,500 in its four casinos.

The corporation has a program for the acquisition of contemporary Quebec art in its Collection Loto-Québec. The collection holds more than 4,900 works of art created by roughly 1,200 Quebec artists.

History

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Origins and Early Developments (1969–1970)

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In 1969, the Government of Quebec passed the Act respecting the Société des loteries du Québec, creating Loto-Québec as a government corporation to operate legalized games of chance. This initiative sought to combat illegal gambling while generating revenue for public services. The first lottery, Inter Loto, was launched on March 14, 1970, with a C$125,000 jackpot and $2 tickets.

At the time, no legislation clarified which level of government controlled games of chance. The federal government established its own lottery in 1972 to fund the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympics. By 1979, sustained provincial pressure dissolved the federal lottery body, Loto-Canada, transferring jurisdiction for gambling entirely to the provinces. This arrangement required provinces to share a portion of lottery profits with the federal government—amounting to C$14.1 million in 2006.

Growth and Milestones (1976–1990s)

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Loto-Québec introduced its first million-dollar lottery, Super Loto, in 1976. In 1982, the pan-Canadian lottery Lotto 6/49 was launched with a C$500,000 jackpot, becoming a national sensation. The corporation diversified further in 1993, collaborating with broadcaster TVA to create the weekly game show La Poule aux œufs d'or. Contestants selected golden eggs to win cash prizes, with Guy Mongrain as the original host.

Casino Expansion (1990s–2000s)

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Loto-Québec entered the casino market in the 1990s, opening the Casino de Montréal in 1993. Additional casinos followed, including:

  • Casino de Charlevoix (1994)
  • Casino du Lac-Leamy (1996)
  • Casino de Mont-Tremblant (2009)

These facilities offered a mix of gaming, dining, and entertainment, establishing Quebec as a premier gambling destination.

In the early 2000s, Loto-Québec implemented policies to reduce the number of video lottery terminals (VLTs) in the province. By 2009, the number of VLTs had dropped from 14,301 to 11,410, generating $670 million in annual sales.

Challenges and Ethical Concerns

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Critics highlighted the social impact of gambling, particularly the role of VLTs in fostering addiction. A 2008 lawsuit accused Loto-Québec of failing to warn players about the risks of VLT dependency. The case concluded with a $50 million settlement in 2009, which funded therapy for compulsive gamblers.

In 2004, the EmJEU coalition was formed, advocating for ethical gambling practices and criticizing plans like the proposed relocation of Casino de Montréal to the Old Port. Public opposition and a report by Guy Coulombe led to the project's cancellation in 2006.

International Ventures and Certifications

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In 2006, Loto-Québec partnered with Casinos Développement Europe, acquiring a 35% stake in the group. Domestically, the corporation opened Ludoplexes—gaming halls designed to centralize gambling activities while reducing the number of VLT locations.

In 2009, the corporation achieved Level 4 certification in responsible gaming from the World Lottery Association, recognizing its commitment to minimizing gambling-related harm.

Digital Transformation and Online Gaming (2010–Present)

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As online gaming grew, Loto-Québec launched Espacejeux.com in 2010, offering digital lotteries, poker, and sports betting. Despite opposition from public health groups and the EmJEU coalition, the corporation argued that regulating online gaming would counteract illegal gambling and ensure player protection.

Loto-Québec introduced Kinzo, a modernized bingo concept, in 2010. Featuring shorter games and a lounge-like atmosphere, Kinzo aimed to attract younger players while revitalizing the traditional bingo market.

Cultural and Economic Contributions

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Loto-Québec has consistently reinvested profits into public services, including healthcare and education. By sponsoring major events like the Montreal International Jazz Festival and the Just for Laughs Festival, the corporation has become a vital supporter of Quebec’s cultural scene.

Looking Ahead

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With a focus on sustainability and technological innovation, Loto-Québec continues to balance its economic objectives with its responsibility to promote safe gambling practices. Initiatives like artificial intelligence integration and expanded responsible gaming programs reflect its commitment to adapting to changing market trends.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries. "Loto-Québec". Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  2. ^ Loto-Québec. "2023–2024 Fiscal Year: Loto-Québec delivers one of its best performances in nearly 20 years". Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  3. ^ Loto-Québec. "2023–2024 Fiscal Year: Loto-Québec delivers one of its best performances in nearly 20 years". Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  4. ^ "Un casino flambant neuf" (in French). Radio-Canada. 24 June 2009.
  5. ^ "Loto-Québec Careers and Employment". Indeed.com. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
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