Responsible Gaming:
Loto-Québec Awarded the Highest Level of International Certification

Message from the President and CEO

Loto-Québec has recently been granted Level 4 international certification in the area of responsible gaming by the Word Lottery Association (WLA), a global grouping of 140 lottery organizations. This represents the highest certification level receivable.

We are delighted to have obtained this designation, particularly because Loto-Québec is the only corporation among the member-operators of games of chance to have achieved Level 4.  The recognition confirms the maturity and quality of our programs, as well as our ability to integrate the WLA’s principles of responsible gaming into our day-to-day activities. It also demonstrates that we possess and apply the resources necessary to assure the continuous improvement of our support and responsible gaming awareness programs.

Modernization of the Casino de Montréal

This past March, we announced that we will be investing a total of $305.7 million over the next four years to modernize the Casino de Montréal.

This major renovation project is aimed primarily at renewing the infrastructures of the former Expo 67 pavilions, at revamping the installations, and at remodelling certain areas of the Casino.

At the heart of this important initiative is our commitment to stand out from the competition and to make customer service our hallmark in order to maintain the Casino’s position among its counterparts in the northeastern U.S.

The realization of this project will also allow for the creation of some 3,400 direct and indirect jobs throughout the duration of the work, which is slated to begin this fall. In addition, it will generate significant economic spin-offs for the Montréal region.

The Casino will remain open while the work is being carried out. Moreover, no effort will be spared to reduce the negative impact on our patrons, employees, the residents of Cité-du-Havre, users of Île Notre-Dame, and Montréalers visiting Parc Jean-Drapeau.

Finally, every precaution will be taken to attenuate environmental repercussions. In executing this project, our intention is to highlight and promote the architectural and natural heritage of the site, along with its vocation as a prime recreational and tourist destination.

Reconfiguration of the VLT Network: Mission Accomplished

In its 2004-2007 Development Plan, Loto-Québec set forth an initiative involving the reconfiguration of its network of video lottery terminals (VLTs). The objective was to reduce the number of sites offering VLTs by a minimum of 31% over three years.

Given the various VLT withdrawal programs implemented since that time, the bar and brasserie network now encompasses 2,321 active sites, representing a total reduction of 36.2%. That translates into more than one out of three fewer sites as compared to when the effort first got underway.

In accordance with the recommendations of the Centre québécois d’excellence pour la prévention et le traitement du jeu, the favoured approach was to diminish accessibility to VLTs, and one of the principal withdrawal criteria was based on average household income. As such, Loto-Québec concentrated on reducing accessibility in the most fragile zones. More specifically, all units at sites equipped with 1-4 VLTs in Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, Québec City and other areas in the Province were removed in sectors where average annual household income was less than $50,000 and where the VLT ratio exceeded the Québec average.

2008-2013 Sustainable Development Action Plan

In conclusion, I am proud to invite you to consult Loto-Québec’s 2008-2013 Sustainable Development Action Plan. This initial Plan represents a privileged opportunity for us to underline our commitment to the establishment and implementation of responsible practices in the area of sustainable development.

In addition to being aligned with the Governmental Strategy, which demonstrates a genuine desire for change within public administration, the Plan is an integral part of our progressive approach to responsible management and respects the Corporation’s operational realities.  It serves as a constructive and mobilizing guide for a fully transparent set of initiatives by way of which we are striving to contribute to the sustainable development of our society.

Alain Cousineau
President and Chief Executive Officer