Gambling, booze make billions for Quebec

Quebec’s gambling and alcohol monopolies generated billions of dollars in profits for the provincial government over the past year.

Revenue at the Société des alcools du Québec rose 4.1 per cent during the fiscal year that ended on March 31, rising from $3.123 billion the previous year to $3.252 billion, the crown corporation said on Thursday.

Profits were also up, rising 2.6 per cent, from $1.086 billion to $1.114 billion.

When taxes are included, the SAQ said it paid $1.767 billion to the provincial government.

Wine sales accounted for the majority of the SAQ’s revenues, $2.388 billion, a 2.9 per cent increase. Sales of spirits rose 8.3 per cent to $787.3 billion.

While overall sales were up, the SAQ said the average in-store purchase was down 1.1 per cent from $48.35 to $47.83.

Gross margin on sales was down from 51.3 per cent the previous year to 50.8 per cent.

Revenue at Loto- Québec, which also released its annual report on Thursday, rose 3.7 per cent, from $3.635 billion to $3.769 billion, during the fiscal year that ended on March 31.

That resulted in profits of more than $1.335 billion for Loto- Québec.

It said $1.310 billion of that was paid directly to the provincial government.

Casino revenue was up 8.1 per cent from the previous year, rising from $838.8 million to $906.9 million.

Lottery revenue increased 2.9 per cent, from $1.828 billion to $1.881 billion.