Network reconfiguration exceeds objectives

Thanks to concerted efforts over the past year, the network was successfully reconfigured in favour of the two gaming halls. The SLVQ not only accomplished its mission of reducing the number of sites in the network as called for in Loto‑Québec's 2004-2007 Development Plan, it surpassed the initial objectives. Overall, the number of sites in the bar and tavern network dropped by 36.2%, whereas the reconfiguration plan called for a 31% reduction. Today, the network includes 10,735 VLTs at 2,321 sites.

The SLVQ will ensure that the gaming offer remains geographically diversified and sufficiently sizeable to prevent the proliferation of illegal equipment. In keeping with the WLA's Responsible Gaming Framework, the SLVQ plans to continue raising awareness of and promoting responsible gaming behaviours among customers, owners and employees of the establishments making up the network.

Responsible Commercialization of video lottery terminals

In addition to managing network accessibility, the SLVQ is also focusing its efforts on a responsible commercialization approach. To encourage the network's retailers to subscribe to the principles of responsible management, the SLVQ continues to run a program for the assessment and ongoing improvement of responsible management methods. The program aims to help retailers fulfil their commitment to the Code of Responsible Commercialization. Observations by mystery shoppers over the past year have revealed that most retailers have been steadily improving in this respect.

In order to provide ongoing training to bar owners and employees, the SLVQ created an online version of theTaking risks is no game training program. Available day and night seven days a week, the training helps retailers and their employees find out more about games of chance and gambling so that they can react appropriately when faced with a player in difficulty and play a key role in promoting responsible gaming behaviour.

Since June 2008, over 2,000 participants had taken the training online, bringing to 18,000 the total number of bar owners and employees who have obtained the Taking risks is no game certificate since the training programs were launched.

The SLVQ has also prepared the file that will enable Loto-Québec to receive the World Lottery Association's responsible gaming certification.

Implementation of the network reconfiguration plan

Compulsory withdrawal of the VLTs

Among the measures adopted to carry out the reconfiguration plan, the SLVQ withdrew VLTs from all sites operating four or fewer units in certain targeted areas based on the number of inhabitants per unit and the socio-economic profile of the residents. The VLTs were withdrawn in tandem with the opening of these gaming halls.

Voluntary VLT withdrawal program:

In addition, the Development Plan calls for a voluntary withdrawal program across the province offered to retailers with VLTs in the targeted zones and owners of multiple sites (10 VLTs) in exchange for compensation equivalent to one year of commission. This program ended in 2006 and saw the network reduced by more than 130 sites.

Furthermore, a voluntary withdrawal program is currently being offered until November 30, 2009 to retailers located within a 2.3-kilometre radius of the Québec City and Trois-Rivières gaming halls that were not targeted by the compulsory withdrawal program. Thanks to this initiative, there has been no increase in game offerings in the areas around the two gaming halls.

Number of Sites
(as of March 31 of each year)

Year	Sites
1996	4,242
1997	4,370
1998	4,193
1999	4,175
2000	4,141
2001	4,085
2002	3,828
2003	3,663
2004	3,362
2005	3,267
2006	3,112
2007	2,905
2008	2,733
2009	2,321

1 This approach is based on the recommendations of researchers.
2 As established by Statistics Canada’s 2001 Census.