If you’re like many adults in Ontario, you love the thrill of playing the lottery, visiting a casino either in-person or online, playing bingo, or buying scratch-and-win tickets. In fact, Ontarians enjoy these forms of entertainment so much that in years past, their play has generated over $2.5 billion in net profit to the province in 2023.
As a player, it’s nice to know that the proceeds don’t go into private pockets. Instead, since all gambling in the province is regulated by OLG, that money goes back to towns, cities, charities, and other worthwhile causes throughout Ontario. Since 1975, OLG has proudly provided more than $59 billion to the people and communities of this great province. The money supports key government priorities like health care; the treatment and prevention of problem gambling; and support for amateur athletes. Each year profits from OLG’s operations also support host communities, Ontario First Nations, lottery retailers and local charities across the province. Each year profits from OLG’s operations also support host communities, Ontario First Nations, lottery retailers and local charities across the province. To help better understand how gambling proceeds are distributed, we thought we’d share a few examples.
Snapshot: OLG’s benefit to the province of Ontario in fiscal 2022-2023
- $2.5 Billion net profit to the province
- $730 million in support of local economies
- $123 million to the Ontario First Nations through the Gaming Revenue Sharing and Financial Agreement, based on the Corporation’s prior fiscal year’s Gross Revenue
- $116 million in direct funding to Ontario’s horse racing industry through the Amended and Restated Funding Agreement for Live Horse Racing
- $80 Million in Charitable Gaming proceeds distributed to participating local charities
- $2.6 Billion in lottery prizes to players
A big win for Ontario families
With every dice roll at an Ontario casino, lottery purchase from a retailer or OLG.ca, or bingo session played at a Charitable Gaming Centre, a proportion of each dollar spent goes directly toward improving our communities. In fact, our province’s first lottery was created with this in mind.
Our community-building initiatives include:
- Every quarter, OLG shares casino revenues with 29 casino gaming host municipalities. These proceeds contribute to economic recovery, infrastructure development and job creation, as well as helping fund grant programs for community organizations. OLG proceeds have contributed to improving EMS facilities, hospitals and local roads; development of all-season outdoor event spaces, ice rinks and cricket pitches; urban forestry and community garden initiatives; funding of foodbanks, animal rescues, hospices and more.
- OLG is a proud member of 28 Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade in casino-gaming host municipalities across the province As a member, OLG works to celebrate and support the entrepreneurs, businesses and people who are essential to the strength of the local economy – and to the health, wellbeing and happiness of the people who live there.
Bringing Home the Win with Quest for Gold
Since 2006, the Ontario government and OLG have worked together to support high-performance amateur athletes through the Quest for Gold program. OLG has supported and promoted Ontario’s Quest for Gold athletes through community outreach programs and the OLG Quest for Gold lottery ticket, highlighting stories and achievements of athletes in amateur sport.
Over the years, this important program has helped more than 7,000 athletes achieve world class status, and big-time wins. The Province’s Quest for Gold provides direct financial support to Olympic-bound athletes, enhancing their ability to train by reducing financial burdens. Two recipients of this program include Olympic gold medalists Andre De Grasse and Penny Oleksiak.
A jackpot for local charities
Another important recipient of OLG revenue is Ontario’s charitable sector. Since fiscal 2005-06, players in our Charitable Bingo and Gaming Centres have helped us generate more than $500 million in contributions to more 2,400 participating charities. This includes:
- Health & Social Services – from Hospitals to Mental Health Programs
- Community Support – like Foodbanks and Service Clubs
- Senior Services – from Meal Services to Home Care Support
- Arts & Culture – funding for Theatre, Music, Visual Arts, and Cultural Heritage
- Youth Sports – programs for Children Under 18
- Education – including After School Programs and Daycare
- Religious Groups – Support for Places of Worship and Religious Activities
As you can see, when you play the lottery, visit a casino, or attend a charitable gaming centre, you’re not only playing for the chance to win yourself, you’re helping our province come out on top, across the board.
