Loto-Québec’s Casino in Mont-Tremblant
to Provide Major Support for Economic Development
and the Diversification of Tourism in the Region

Mont-Tremblant, April 13, 2008 – Loto-Québec has selected Mont-Tremblant for the establishment of a new casino on the international tourist resort’s Versant Soleil. The news was announced today by the Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade and Tourism Minister, Mr. Raymond Bachand, and the President and Chief Executive Officer of Loto-Québec, Mr. Alain Cousineau. Also present to welcome the news with satisfaction was the M.N.A. for Labelle, Mr. Sylvain Pagé, the Mayor of Mont-Tremblant, Mr. Pierre Pilon, along with members of the municipal council, President and Chief Operating Officer of Mont Tremblant Resort, Mr. Charles Massicotte, as well as various representatives of the region's business and tourism sectors.

The Government of Québec has authorized Loto-Québec to establish a casino at Mont-Tremblant in place of the Ludoplex that was originally planned. Scheduled to open its doors in the summer of 2009, the new establishment will follow in the footsteps of the province's other casinos by focusing particular attention on the quality and beauty of its site, on customer service, and on the security of its environment.

The facility's game offerings will be adapted to the specific clientele that frequents the Mont Tremblant Resort, close to 65%1 of which is made up of visitors from outside of Québec. Based on projections, the Casino de Mont-Tremblant will play host to approximately 700,000 visitors per year, and during its first 12 months of operation, Loto-Québec is anticipating close to $50 million to be generated in revenues. The establishment’s clientele is expected to be made up primarily of conference-goers and vacationers. The facility will offer approximately 400 slot machines, 20 game tables with croupiers, and five Texas Hold'em electronic poker machines.

“One major section of the Casino will be reserved for High-Limits play,” underlined the President of Loto-Québec, “and proportionally this section will be twice as large as those at the other three establishments in Québec.” The facility will also feature a private lounge and food and beverage services, and the project will result in the creation of some 175 jobs.

Diversifying Mont-Tremblant’s Tourism Offerings

“For the Québec Government,” emphasized Minister Bachand, “the Casino de Mont-Tremblant represents an initiative that responds to some major preoccupations, notably economic development within the region and promoting the health of its tourism industry.”

For his part, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Loto-Québec pointed out that a casino in Mont-Tremblant will serve to better meet the expectations of the many visitors that frequent the area by offering a comprehensive and distinctive range of games to enjoy. “A year-round attraction,” indicated Mr. Cousineau, “the new Casino will contribute to the diversification of tourism offerings in the region and will attract a new clientele to the Laurentians. Moreover, it could appreciably increase the length of visitors’ stays for the benefit of the regional economy.”

“The entertainment concept being offered by Loto-Québec,” added Minister Bachand, “corresponds to the needs expressed by leaders within the region. Furthermore, the project will be realized with respect for the Corporation’s mission and values, particularly with respect to the promotion of responsible gaming.”

Reduced Game Offerings

“Game offerings will not be increased in Québec. On the contrary, they will be reduced,” declared Mr. Cousineau. The head of Loto-Québec went on to point out that, for the past several months, the Casinos in Montréal and Gatineau have been involved in a process of reconfiguring their gaming areas in order to make them more airy and fluid. In so doing, the establishments have removed some slot machines and game tables so that, even with the opening of the new establishment at Mont-Tremblant, the overall number of slot machines and game tables will remain unchanged in the province.

In addition, the 300 video lottery terminals (VLTs) that were to be installed at the planned Mont-Tremblant gaming centre will not be redeployed. Thus, Mr. Cousineau confirmed that the VLT withdrawal plan will be maintained. In the Mont-Tremblant sector, there remain 11 sites targeted for the removal of VLTs once the Casino opens. Of all the units withdrawn across the province, a total of 1,030 rather than 730 will be taken out of service. Taking all of the VLT withdrawal programs implemented by the Corporation since 2004 into account, the total number of sites operating video lottery terminals will ultimately be reduced by 34%, representing the elimination of 3% more sites than initially envisaged.

Sustainable Development

Construction work on the new casino commenced in spring 2007 and is following its course. The exterior architecture will remain the same as was originally planned and will integrate perfectly with the hotel resort complex on the Versant Soleil site. However, the interior plans will be redesigned according to Mr. Cousineau in order to meet the needs of the Casino. Furthermore, the establishment will be constructed with respect for the principles of sustainable development. In that regard, Loto-Québec is aiming to obtain the Green Building Council of Canada’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. The cost of the construction is estimated to be in the order of $61 million, and during the peak period, the project will create employment for some 200 workers.

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Information: 

Marie-Claude Rivet
Assistant Director, Media Relations – Loto-Québec
514 499-5079

Manuela Goya
Press Officer, Office of the Minister of Economic Development,
Innovation and Export Trade and Minister of Tourism
418 691-5650

* Source: Intrawest

Additional Information

Fact Sheet [PDF Format, 568 KB - Help, online as of April 13, 2008]

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