Provincial lottery operator marks 50 years of impact in Atlantic Canada with profit of CA$492 million in 2025/26 financial year
Canada’s Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) has returned net profit of CA$492 million to the four Atlantic provinces during its 2025/26 financial year.
Celebrating its 50th year, the Atlantic Lottery generated revenue of $889.6 million during the year, which was down marginally compared to the prior year period.
Destination revenue decreased by $20.4 million, primarily due to economic pressures and the continued shift toward online gaming platforms, while retail lottery revenue declined by $10.4 million, driven by less favourable jackpots and evolving dynamics in retail environments.
These decreases were partially offset by a strong iLottery performance, which generated a $27.9 million increase in revenue, reflecting ongoing player migration to online channels and continued investment in the digital platform.
Direct expenses were slightly higher at $162.2 million, while operating and administrative expenses increased by 2 per cent to $141.0 million. Capital-related costs rose 9 per cent to $30.1 million, and other expenses and distributions fell by 2 per cent to $64.1 million.
Net profit for the 2025/26 financial year decreased by 1 per cent to $492.1 million, including $133.2 million from the Retail line of business, $225 million from Destination and $133.8 million from iLottery.
While Retail and Destination declined year-on-year, digital performance continued to grow with iLottery profit increasing by 15.4 per cent.
By province, $164.5 million was returned to Nova Scotia, $152.8 million to Newfoundland and Labrador, $148.9 million to New Brunswick and $25.8 million to Prince Edward Island.
Since its establishment in 1976, the lottery has now returned nearly $13.4 billion in profit to the Atlantic provinces, awarded $13 billion in prizes, and provided more than $4.6 billion in retailer commissions.
“Atlantic Lottery was created to benefit the people and places of Atlantic Canada, and that purpose continues to guide us 50 years later,” said ALC president and CEO Dallas McCready. “We’re proud of the value we have delivered over five decades, and we’re equally focused on how we continue to evolve, compete and create lasting value for the region for the next 50 years and beyond.”
McCready noted these challenges have been compounded by the rapid growth of illegal online gambling operators that increasingly compete for Atlantic Canadian players.
“Atlantic Lottery is facing a level of disruption that is unprecedented in our 50-year history and the effect on our financial performance last year was clear,” continued McCready. “The growth of illegal online gambling has fundamentally changed the competitive landscape. These operators are drawing significant gaming dollars out of Atlantic Canada, contribute nothing to provincial revenues in our region, and are not subject to the same healthy play and consumer protection requirements that govern Atlantic Lottery.
“We are taking decisive action to compete effectively while continuing to protect players and maximize returns for the benefit of Atlantic Canadians.”
During 2025/26, Atlantic Lottery increased its share of regional online betting and gaming activity to 35 per cent, up from 34 per cent in the previous year.
Through its PlayWise initiative, more than 27.5 per cent of its online players set at least one discretionary healthy play limit, exceeding Atlantic Lottery’s corporate target and more than doubling the industry standard.
Atlantic Lottery awarded $455.7 million in prizes during the year, a decrease of $5.5 million compared with the previous year, but paid out 1,612 prizes of $10,000 or more, which is an increase from 1,343 major winners in the previous year.
“As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, our focus remains firmly on providing a legal, government-regulated and entertaining experience for Atlantic Canadians,” said McCready. “Our home-field advantage comes from the things that set us apart, including our commitment to healthy play, deep roots in our communities through local sponsorships and the significant profit we return each year to benefit our region.”