Loto-Quebec’s otherwise rather average results in fiscal H1-2017 were boosted by an outstanding performance from the group’s Espace Jeux online division, which delivered a 42.3 percent year-on-year increase in revenue at Cdn$ 50 million.
Overall, group revenue for the six month period ended September 25 this year reached Cdn$ 1.814 billion – up 3.5 percent year-on-year, whilst net income rose 6.2 percent at Cdn$ 678.6 million.
In the second quarter ended September 25 the group reported a 1 percent rise in revenue to Cdn$931.3 million – its tenth quarter of growth – and profits up 3.4 percent at Cdn$ 353.5 million.
The company reported that the Cdn$ 35 million increase in H1 revenues is primarily attributable to sales of the new terminal-based Grande Vie game launched on October 18, 2016. Loto-Québec’s market share of this pan-Canadian lottery remains high at 34.7 percent.
Loto-Quebec’s three national products (Lotto Max, Lotto 6/49 and Grande Vie), had the best sales performance among the five Canadian lottery corporations.
During the six-month period, the Corporation paid out close to 9,200 prizes or prize shares worth over Cdn$1,000 to lottery winners, including 48 prizes worth over Cdn$1 million.
Land casino revenues were up, with visitors rising 4.6 percent to 222,000, whilst gaming halls delivered a good performance, drawing in increasing numbers of people. Gaming halls welcomed some 34,000 more visitors (+8 percent) than in the preceding year.
Loto-Quebec’s strategic plan for the next hree years has been published and seeks to place the customer at the heart of all decisions; develop new growth opportunities that combine gaming with entertainment; improve the social following of the business and offerings; and improve group flexibility and performance.