Atlantic Lottery Returns $492M Profit, Warns Of Illegal Gambling Drain

Atlantic Lottery Corporation said it returned $492 million in net profit to the four Atlantic provinces in 2025-26, and warned that illegal online gambling now pulls about $250 million a year out of the regional economy. 

The publicly owned operator made the announcement in a news release on October 21, 2026, to mark 50 years in the region.

The figures land as regulated operators across Canada compete with offshore sites for players. 

Our guide to online casinos in Canada explains how licensed options differ from unregulated ones.

Where The $492 Million Went

According to CTV News Atlantic, which reported the release, Nova Scotia received $164.5 million, Newfoundland and Labrador $152.8 million, New Brunswick $148.9 million and Prince Edward Island $25.8 million. 

The four amounts add up to $492 million.

Atlantic Lottery said the money supports essential services such as health care, education and infrastructure.

The 2025-26 profit is slightly below the $498.7 million reported by the operator for 2024-25, according to coverage of last year's annual report. 

That earlier figure was $11.7 million higher than the year before.

What The Operator Says About Illegal Gambling

President and CEO Dallas McCready said Atlantic Lottery is facing a level of disruption that is "unprecedented" in its half-century history.

In the release, he said: "The growth of illegal online gambling has fundamentally changed the competitive landscape." 

He added: "These operators are drawing significant gaming dollars out of Atlantic Canada, contribute nothing to provincial revenues in our region, and are not subject to the same healthy play and consumer protection requirements that govern Atlantic Lottery."

The estimated annual loss to illegal operators has risen. A year ago, McCready put the figure at around $200 million, according to CTV's report on the 2024-25 results. This year's release gives it as approximately $250 million.

McCready said Atlantic Lottery is "taking decisive action to compete effectively while continuing to protect players and maximize returns for the benefit of Atlantic Canadians." The coverage of the release does not detail what that action involves.

Share Of The Online Market

Atlantic Lottery said it increased its share of online betting and gaming activity in the region to 35 per cent in 2025-26, up from 34 per cent the previous year. 

The operator had lifted that share from 22 per cent in 2024-25, according to last year's coverage.

In October 2025, McCready set a goal of reaching 50 per cent of the regional gaming market within five years. 

The gain this year is one percentage point, so the operator has a long way to go to reach that mark.

What To Watch Next

The wider question of how provincial lotteries compete with international operators is before the courts. 

The Supreme Court of Canada heard arguments on October 9, 2026, in a case where Atlantic Lottery is one of four appellants challenging Ontario's plan to pool players with operators abroad. 

Our report on the Supreme Court hearing sets out the arguments.

Atlantic Lottery has not said when it will give more detail on its plans. For further Canadian developments, follow our Canada gambling news section.