As competition intensifies in the gambling sector, Loto-Québec is thinking of gaining weight by opening other establishments while revamping its offer by integrating more entertainment, for example, golf simulators or race.
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Loto-Québec is preparing to begin a small reform within its walls if all the management’s plans go ahead in the coming years. Money, opening hours and even the game offer will be analyzed.
The state-owned company does not hide its appetite for opening new casinos or gaming halls, but no timetable has yet been set.
“We are considering a deployment plan, but more globally in Quebec,” indicated President and Chief Executive Officer Jean-François Bergeron, specifying that it will be necessary to carry out analyzes and have exchanges with the government and Public Health.
“There are many regions in Quebec that are served by video lottery terminals because there is no other terrestrial option. […] Would there be room for other lounges? Yes. […] Of course we have plans in our boxes, ”he added, without revealing the region.
The last establishment opened by Loto-Québec is the Casino de Mont-Tremblant. It was inaugurated in 2009.
More competition
In recent years, Loto-Québec has seen the number of its rivals jump, both on the web and in casinos. The Hard Rock Casino, located on the site of the Rideau Carleton Raceway, south of Ottawa, has eroded market share.
Recently, the Grand Royal Casino, located in the community of Wôlinak, near Bécancour, opened its doors. A casino linked to organized crime was also under construction in Kanesatake territory last year.
Moreover, Loto-Québec admits to being concerned about the opening of gaming houses on Aboriginal reserves. The management is concerned about the place that will be devoted to responsible gambling in these establishments.
“Of course we are concerned from a responsible gambling point of view. We don’t always know all the shareholders,” noted Mr. Bergeron, adding that he doesn’t hate the idea of having competitors. “It requires us to do better,” he says.
Shows and Simulators
To attract more consumers to its establishments, Loto-Québec wants to focus more on shows in the coming years, but also on entertainment other than games of chance.
Management says it has discussions with companies to implement an entertainment service, such as golf or racing simulators, which could be deployed in all its sites “within two years”.
“Loto-Québec wants to introduce entertainment in a more marked way,” said the boss. We are at the reflection stage. »
The latter also believes that it is no longer necessary to keep a land-based casino open at all times to meet demand.
“We are going to have a different model. […] We will no longer necessarily operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is not economically interesting,” he concludes.
RUSSIAN ATHLETES ALSO IN THE SIGHT
Loto-Québec recently announced that it is suspending its sports betting offer for the Russian hockey, soccer, volleyball and table tennis leagues. The management does not rule out the possibility of going even further by also suspending bets linked to Russian athletes like Daniil Medvedev, the world’s number one racket.
PILOT PROJECT FOR THE END OF MONEY
Loto-Quebec is expected to test a pilot project this year where money will no longer be needed to play certain games in a casino. Management hopes to deploy this offer first at the Casino de Montréal. All bets and winnings should go through a single card that will be provided to each player. “I think there is a shift to be made in terms of payment methods,” mentioned the president, Jean-François Bergeron.
UNIONS FEAR A SLIMMING DIET
Despite the resumption of activities, Loto-Québec has still not recalled all of its workers. All casinos and gaming halls will be at 100% from March 28. The Canadian Union of Public Employees, which deals with croupiers, fears that Loto-Quebec is taking advantage of the situation to make “hidden layoffs” at the Casino de Montreal. These are about 80% [3040] of the 3,800 employees of casinos and gaming halls who have been recalled. According to the president, the traffic and the more limited opening hours than before the pandemic mean that there are not enough requests to call everyone back. “We don’t expect to have 100% of our traffic for several more months,” said Jean-François Bergeron. “We are going to recall the employees gradually,” he added, believing that the expansion of the entertainment offer could also allow people to find a job.
Reference-www.tvanouvelles.ca