Publication of Loto-Québec’s
Annual Report

Message from the President and CEO

Loto-Québec’s Annual Report for the fiscal year starting April 1, 2008 and ending March 31, 2009 is now available.

Fiscal 2008-2009 was noteworthy in numerous respects. The year’s highlights included the construction of the Casino de Mont-Tremblant, the Casino de Montréal redevelopment project, the completion of the video lottery terminal network reconfiguration, the 30th anniversary of La Collection Loto-Québec, and the release of the
2008-2013 Sustainable Development Action Plan,
among others.

Despite the difficult economic situation and the maturity of markets in several of its activity sectors, Loto-Québec successfully met the challenge of maintaining its revenue and net earning levels.

During the past reporting period, the Corporation posted consolidated cumulative revenues of $3.870 billion and net income of $1.456 billion, representing a slight improvement (+0.5% and +1.4% respectively) over the previous year’s results. All gaming sectors maintained or modestly increased their earnings, with the exception of network bingo, whose $5.7 million (-13.8%) decline in revenues was attributable primarily to the new regulations that came into effect on June 1, 2008.

Social responsibility remains at the very heart of our preoccupations. In that regard, the recognition of our expertise during the past fiscal year confirms that we are leading the way among our fellow lottery corporations, not only in Canada, but on a global scale as well. In fact, Loto-Québec earned Level 4 responsible gaming certification and a special award from the World Lottery Association, an international affiliation of 140 lottery corporations. The distinctions were awarded by an independent jury made up of experts in corporate social responsibility from around the world. I invite you to consult the Annual Report for more details.

Opening of the Casino de Mont-Tremblant

It is my pleasure to report that the Casino de Mont-Tremblant is now open. I am especially proud to underline that we have spared no effort in making this establishment stand in a class by itself.

Built with respect for the principles of sustainable development and in accordance with the Canada Green Building Council’s LEED standards, the Casino is unparalleled for its distinctive environment, architecture and installations, as well as for the wonderful works of art that grace its walls, many of which were created by artists from the local Laurentians region.

The new establishment features a selection of game offerings designed for the tourist clientele that frequents the Mont-Tremblant resort. Seamlessly integrated into the resort complex, the gaming house is an entertainment venue that is a perfect complement to the top-flight tourist, cultural, restaurant and hotel infrastructures already in place in the region. It also serves to diversify the area’s tourism offerings and to reinforce Mont-Tremblant’s position on the international scene as a prime tourist destination. Moreover, the Casino has fuelled the creation of more than 225 new jobs.

It is important to note that the arrival of this fourth gaming house in Québec has not resulted in an increase in overall game offerings. In fact, in order to improve the ratio between the number of units and gaming areas at the Casino de Montréal, it was necessary to reorganize the space by reducing the amount of machines and game tables. At the same time, we conducted a thorough review of the layout of gaming areas at the Casino du Lac-Leamy. Through this process, a number of slot machines and game tables were withdrawn from the establishments so as to ensure that the total number of units and tables remains unchanged in the province.

Finally, like its counterparts in Québec, the Casino de Mont-Tremblant has been designed with particular attention paid to beauty, quality, integration, customer service and security.

To facilitate client access to the new establishment, a free gondola shuttle service — the Casino Express — has been made available connecting the Mont-Tremblant resort’s Versant Sud to the Versant Soleil. In addition, the Casino de Mont-Tremblant will be one of the very few gaming houses in North America accessible to skiers right off the slopes.

Les Rendez-vous Loto-Québec

Once again this year, the Les Rendez-vous Loto-Québec series of events is back to bring the days and nights of summer to life for the public across the province. Always highly popular and entertaining, these Rendez-vous are sure to delight both young and old.

Through its Les Rendez-vous Loto-Québec program, the Corporation sponsors a host of outdoor events that bring people together in virtually all regions of Québec and that are accessible to everyone or include a large variety of free activities. The events are selected on the basis of their ability to attract tourists and their potential for generating social and economic benefits for local communities.

I encourage you to consult the calendar of events and to get the most of what the summer has to offer by participating in one or more of our Rendez-vous Loto-Québec!

Alain Cousineau
President and Chief Executive Officer