Message from the President
and CEO

A New Challenge

In this first edition of the What’s New at Loto-Québec newsletter for 2010, I would like to first extend my very best wishes to you for an excellent year. The year 2010 is a particularly significant year for
Loto-Québec as we mark our fourth decade of existence.

This is a pivotal time indeed, as it is marked by a brand-new challenge subsequent to the provincial government’s decision of January 26 authorizing Loto-Québec to move forward with the offering of games of chance online.

In view of the fact that there are some 2,000 illegal sites currently accessible to Québecers, the Corporation believes that it must channel this game offering through a controlled network whose revenues will contribute to the financing of a number of the province’s major missions.

As indicated by Mr. Raymond Bachand, the Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for the Montréal region, during a press conference held this past February 3, we are not the first to be going in this direction. “Scandinavian countries, France, Belgium, Spain, Australia, as well as British Columbia and the Maritime provinces closer to home have all authorized their State lottery corporations to extend their activities to this market. In Sweden, for example, the government has thereby been able to divert 30% of the country’s online poker players away from illegal sites.”

It is with the same stringent standards of rigour and integrity that have fuelled Loto-Québec’s activities over the past 40 years that we intend to fulfill this new mission which has been entrusted to us.

Of course, we will spare no effort to offer a product beyond reproach, particularly when it comes to the subject of responsible gaming. Following along the lines of the Swedish model, we will institute numerous control and prevention measures, including the verification of player age, weekly play limits, offering players the possibility of self-exclusion, and requiring that players take a break from the game every 60 minutes.

Prior to going online, Loto-Québec’s future site will be scrutinized by a group of international experts in the area of responsible gaming. A multi-disciplinary team is already at work creating the site, which is slated to be launched in the fall.

Promoting a Better Understanding of Loto-Québec

In addition to being a leader in the gaming and entertainment industry, Loto-Québec is also a major employer, one of the largest buyers of goods and services in the province, and a key contributor to the Québec Treasury. Moreover, the Corporation marked the past four decades with a wealth of economic, social and environmental contributions to Québec society. In that regard, the information outlined in Loto-Québec’s Annual Report and Profile of Societal Contributions speaks for itself.

We could not overemphasize the fact that this vital support of the provincial economy is offered under the banner of a comprehensive responsible gaming policy that places Loto-Québec among the most substantial investors of resources to counter excessive gaming in the world. Indeed, the Corporation has been recognized internationally for its dedication and its programs in the area of responsible gaming.

Québec society can take great pride in having Loto-Québec in place to serve as such an indispensable development vehicle.

However, what might seem quite apparent to us today is not necessarily so evident to all. In fact, we have observed that numerous individuals are not very familiar with Loto-Québec’s activities and accomplishments. In response to this situation, we undertook an extensive tour throughout the four corners of the province around this time last year, and we have given some 30 speeches to date. We intend to conduct an equal number of regional events during 2010. These public forums allow us to establish a fruitful dialogue with communities province-wide, while providing us an opportunity to explain how Loto-Québec is a crucial part of the province’s social fabric, be it through its economic contributions, its social involvement, or through the many events it sponsors and artists it supports.

Lending a Helping Hand to Haiti

As you are well aware, Haiti was dealt a catastrophic blow this past January 12 when it was hit by a devastating earthquake. Although much-needed aid is being progressively deployed, because of the virtually complete destruction of the nation’s infrastructure, the international community is redoubling its efforts to assist the disaster-stricken. Loto-Québec and its employees are playing their own part in this undertaking. More specifically, a spontaneous fund drive was held — the first event of its kind to be organized by a public corporation — which succeeded in raising no less than $61,832. This sum will be doubled by Loto-Québec and then by the federal government. We sincerely hope that all those directly and indirectly affected find the courage to overcome this tragedy.

Canadiens Hall of Fame

Loto-Québec is proud to be associated with another major Québec institution — the Montréal Canadiens. Acknowledging the tremendous sense of attachment Québecers feel toward this legendary hockey club, we wanted to contribute to the creation of a museum that would pay tribute to the team and its greatest players. As such, we have established a five-year partnership with the Canadiens hockey club by way of which Loto-Québec is presenting the Hall of Fame. Located at the Bell Centre, this facility is already a must-visit for all admirers of the Sainte-Flanelle.

Les Rendez-vous Loto-Québec