82% Gives Students at Duncan MacMillan High School the Straight Deal on Gambling
Learn More...

YourBestBet.ca

Know what it means to...

gamble responsibly...

Learn More...

The Facts on Gambling in Nova Scotia

Gaming Stats (As of March 31, 2011)
# Casinos 2
# VLTs 2,234
(excluding First Nations)
# VLTs- First Nations 579
# VLT retailers 345
# TLT retailers 1,097
# Slot machines 600 Halifax
298 Sydney
# Tables 32 Halifax
11 Sydney

 

Average Prize Payout Percentage
Video Lottery 92-95%
Ticket Lottery 47-72%
Casino Slots 92%
Casino Tables 81%
Employment (# of direct jobs created by gaming)
Halifax Casino 367
Sydney Casino 153
NSGC 22
ALC - NS operations 53
Alcohol and Gaming Division 61

Approximately 650 people directly employed, with almost $25.9 million in annual salaries and benefits.

Gaming Revenues

  • In 2010-11, $141.6 million in general revenue was provided to government for its programs and services.
  • In 2010-11, $39.8 million was earned by VL/TL retailers in commissions.

Financial Results ($ millions)

  2010-11
Budget		 2010-11
Actual
Corporate    
Revenue $410.7 $439.4
Net Income $116.4 $126.5
Win Tax $ 14.2 $ 15.1
Contribution to Province $130.6 $141.6
Ticket Lottery    
Revenue $188.9 $216.1
Net Income $29.9 $40.0
Video Lottery    
Revenue $142.5 $140.0
Net Income $89.1 $89.7
Casinos    
Revenue $79.3 $83.3
Contribution $27.6 $26.7

Participation in Gambling

In 2010-11, prizes accounted for 76%, or $1.08 billion, of the total wager of $1.42 billion.  (1)

In 2007, 87% of adults in Nova Scotia reported gambling at least once over the last year. Of these individuals, over 93% gambled with no problems (i.e. no risk). (2)

Based on the Canadian Problem Gambling Index, 0.9% of the adult population (about 7,000) in Nova Scotia have a gambling problem or are defined as a problem gambler. An additional 1.6% (about 12,000) are considered at moderate risk of experiencing a problem with gambling.

3.6% of the adult population is defined in the at-risk or low risk category. (2)

On average, adults in Nova Scotia spend a total of $609 annually on gambling.(2)

95% of gambling revenues in the province are generated from those who gamble at least once a month.(2)

Youth Gambling

According to the 2007 Nova Scotia Gambling Prevalence Study:

  • Young adults 19-24 have the highest incidence of risk of developing gambling problems: almost twice the risk of 25-34 year olds.
  • Young adults report among the highest participation rates in most forms of gambling, with the exception of weekly lottery, bingo and charity raffles.
  • Their participation in poker and casino table games is higher than any other age group.

Click here to download a copy of the Gambling in Nova Scotia Fact Sheet

(1) Alcohol and Gaming Division, Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, 2010-11 Nova Scotia Annual Gaming Report
(2) 2007 Nova Scotia Gambling Prevalence Study