Loto-Québec is celebrating this year’s GivingTuesday by supporting hundreds of organizations that Quebecers keep close to their hearts. This fall, the gambling regulator has donated over CA$1,000,0000 to local non-profit organizations across the province. These donations were made through various initiatives under the Crown agency’s Giving Back is a Win-Win Program.
Loto-Québec is a government-owned corporation in Quebec, Canada, responsible for organizing and overseeing various games of chance, including lotteries and casinos. Established in 1969, it contributes to public funds and promotes responsible gaming. Last year alone, the Crown managed to give back over CA$13 million in contributions to local non-profits.
The Season of Giving Back
Through the Loto-o-suivant charitable lottery game, running for a third year in a row at retailers the Crown managed to contribute CA$50,000 to charities selected by winners. It also held a special edition of the La Poule aux œufs d’or game show, giving six contestants a chance to win big and to select a charity to which the Crown will donate the equivalent of their prize up to CA$100k.
Its casino and gaming halls accounted for over CA$400,000 to Moisson food banks in the province throughout the year. In November, slot promotions at its Montréal, Lac-Leamy, Charlevoix and Mont-Tremblant casinos awarded several players with windfalls of over CA$10,000, and Moisson food banks in those regions also bagged the same amounts.
The Crown’s network bingo halls had a special promotion in October, during which NPOs connected to the winning hall received CA$25,000 when a player snatched the CA$50k enhanced jackpot. In addition to that, its Kinzo halls also contributed to local communities, when an additional prize was claimed. Kinzo and lottery video retailers had numerous special initiatives to help NPOs.
Last but not least, the regulator’s employees also demonstrated their generosity via enthusiastic involvement in the Entraide campaign, part of the Government of Québec’s appeal to solidarity. So far almost CA$175,000 has been raised. These donations are split according to the donor’s preferences between Centraide du Québec locations, HealthPartners-Québec and its member organizations and the Québec division of the Canadian Red Cross.
Latest on the Quebec Lottery and Regulator
Just recently, Loto-Québec issued its fiscal numbers for the first quarter of the 2023-2024 FY. From April 1, 2023, through June 26, 2023, the company recorded total revenues of CA$711.2 million and a consolidated net income of CA$380.9 million. These numbers exceeded the corporation’s projections and are in accordance with its growth trajectory.
However, it should be mentioned that the Crown was on the receiving end of massive criticism for its mini-casino plans next to the Bell Centre in downtown Montreal. After the public outcry, the corporation decided to abandon the project. It also faced opposition from Montreal Public Health which published a 40-page report to oppose the gaming location.
Source: “Loto-Québec supports hundreds of local organizations” Loto-Québec, November 28, 2023
