Nova Scotia’s gaming industry profits remained on par with the previous fiscal year.
Figures released today, July 13, by the Nova Scotia Provincial Lotteries and Casino Corporation, show the Crown corporation provided $144.6 million in 2016-17 in its payment to the province, up 2.3 per cent from its payment of $141.4 million in 2015-16.
“Nova Scotia’s regulated gaming industry is helping to fund what matters with 100 per cent of profits going to essential services like, health care, roads, schools, sport and cultural programs,” said Bob MacKinnon, corporation president and CEO. “Being able to deliver critical funding that is also managed in a socially responsible manner is an important part of what we do.”
The corporation works to ensure the province’s regulated gaming industry offers games that are fun, safe and responsible to adult Nova Scotians who choose to gamble. Working closely and collaboratively with its operators, Atlantic Lottery Corporation and Casino Nova Scotia, the corporation offers oversight and training to an industry that employs more than 500 Nova Scotians.
Overview of Nova Scotia’s gaming industry for 2016-17:
— $144.6 million payment to province
— $21.7 million in wages and benefits for more than 500 employees
— more than 1,350 retailers – primarily small businesses – received $38.1 million in commissions
— $6.6 million for the prevention, education and treatment of problem gambling
— $6 million to fund important community-based programs, including sport, culture, and the arts.
The corporation’s flagship program Support4Sport continues to be the largest single source of sport funding in the province and Nova Scotians have raised more than $3.6 million this year to support athletes of all abilities. An additional $2.3 million was raised through the Support4Culture program for Nova Scotia arts, culture and heritage, while the Support4Communities helped charities raise over $116,000 for good causes.
“As Nova Scotians, the corporation and our operators are committed to helping our communities thrive and we understand that it is critical to do so in a social responsibility manner,” said Mr. MacKinnon.
The 2016-17 summary of results and financial statements are available at www.gamingns.ca/AR.
Source: Release