Loto-Québec satisfied with
the class action settlement

Montréal, March 23, 2010 - Loto-Québec expresses its satisfaction at the decision taken by Québec Superior Court Justice Gratien Duchesne to approve last December’s out-of-court settlement of the class action lawsuit that had been launched by Québec City lawyer Jean Brochu in regard to video lottery terminals.

This agreement definitively settles litigation that dates from 2002. During the trial, which started in September 2008, proof was made, notably through testimony of international experts, that video lottery terminals are not the cause of compulsive gambling–a position that Loto-Québec has always vigorously defended, and which the plaintiff recognizes as well-founded in the out-of-court settlement.

Moreover, for the sake of fairness, the Government of Québec has agreed to reimburse therapists’ fees for compulsive gamblers who were treated between 1994 and 2002, upon production of receipts. An 18-month claims deadline has been accorded citizens, beginning upon the imminent publication in newspapers of a notice that will detail eligibility conditions and claim procedures.

Constant concern about compulsive gambling

Loto-Québec will continue to make every effort to incorporate responsible gaming promotional programs into its commercial operations. As a good corporate citizen, Loto-Québec has always taken social impact into account when introducing new forms of gaming. For example, when the new video lottery (VLT) network was set up, new and innovative preventive gaming messages were displayed right on the terminal screens, also inviting players to take advantage of the telephone help line run by the Information and Referral Centre of Greater Montréal. In 2001, as the VLT units were being replaced by more modern devices, Loto-Québec took advantage of technological progress to add a number of responsible gaming features to the new machines:

- Clocks on all screens
- Game selection dropped from 23 to 10
- Game speed was reduced
- Maximum bet per gaming session dropped from $100 to $60
- Warnings and help line information appeared on all VLTs

Major recurring grants

Due to its concern about balancing its economic and social missions, Loto-Québec devotes important financial resources to fighting compulsive gambling. For example, the corporation pays $22 million annually to the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux in order to implement awareness and treatment programs accessible to the entire population. Loto-Québec also makes an annual grant in the order of $6 million to the Fondation Mise sur toi, which is an independent foundation that promotes healthy gaming behaviour. During the last 7 years, total payments have risen to more than $180 million.

Significantly reduced access

Following a recommendation made by scientific researchers to reduce VLT access, especially in fragile segments of society, Loto-Québec adopted a 2004 plan to reconfigure the network, which significantly reduced the gaming offer province-wide. While the bar, brasserie and tavern network comprised 3,663 sites and 14,301 units in 2003-2004, there are currently 2,379 sites with a total of 11,778 units in operation. These reductions respectively total 38% and 17%. In comparison with 1998-1999 data, which showed 4,175 sites and 15,314 units, site numbers have dropped by 43%, while total unit numbers have gone down by 23%.

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Information: 

Jean-Pierre Roy
Director, Media Relations
514 499-5151

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