Atlantic Lottery is proud to be a social purpose organization, deeply connected to the people and communities of Atlantic Canada. Looking back on 2025, we are reminded of the game-changing impact we achieved together, from supporting local initiatives to returning profits that strengthen our region. As we reflect on the past year, we are excited to share some of our most memorable highlights that showcase how Atlantic Lottery continues to make a difference across Atlantic Canada.

AL was recognized as one of Atlantic Canada’s Best Places to Work

Atlantic Lottery was proud to be named one of Atlantic Canada’s Best Places to Work in 2025 by Atlantic Business Magazine. Out of 186 nominees, only 32 employers received this distinction. The recognition reflects our commitment to creating a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.

With offices in Moncton, Halifax, St. John’s, and Red Shores locations in P.E.I., we provide rewarding careers while returning 100 per cent of profits to strengthen communities across Atlantic Canada. Learn why Atlantic Lottery is one of Atlantic Canada’s Best Places to Work here.

We welcomed a new CEO

Atlantic Lottery welcomed Dallas McCready as  President and CEO in January 2025. McCready, who previously served as Chief Strategy Officer, brings more than 20 years of experience in the gaming industry and public sector to the role.

McCready’s background includes senior roles in gaming, government, and technology, and he was instrumental in developing Atlantic Lottery’s recent five-year strategic plan. In his first remarks as CEO, McCready emphasized Atlantic Lottery’s role as a leader in healthy play and its commitment to making a “game-changing impact” for Atlantic Canadians.

Read the full, official announcement on alc.ca.

A group of N.S. co-workers won $500,000

A group of co‑workers from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, known as the “Happy Campers,” celebrated a truly game changing moment when they won and shared a $500,000 Lotto Max prize. What made the win so special was not just the money but the fact that they experienced it together.

From the thrill of scanning the ticket and realizing they had matched all seven numbers to the joy of spreading the news among friends, the group described themselves as “pretty much a family.” Their shared victory will help with retirement savings, student loans, and home renovations, but it also highlighted the fun and healthy play that lottery can bring when enjoyed responsibly. For the Happy Campers, this win was more than financial; it was a reminder of teamwork, friendship, and the joy of succeeding side by side.

Meet the Happy Campers here.

PlayWise made its mark at Sommo Festival

Atlantic Lottery’s PlayWise program made a creative mark at the Sommo Music Festival in Cavendish, P.E.I. this past summer with the Atlantic Lottery Tattoo Parlour.

Festivalgoers had the opportunity to spin a wheel for a chance to receive a temporary tattoo featuring either a limited-edition design by local artist Sharky Jones or risk receiving an “ink spill” temporary tattoo. The experience mirrored the unpredictability of gambling outcomes and encouraged reflection on personal attitudes toward chance. Attendees praised the creative approach, noting how it made gambling risks feel real in a relaxed, social setting.

Visit The Ticket to learn more about the Atlantic Lottery Tattoo Parlour.

PlayWise was back at the plate with Diamond Decisions during the Canada Games

PlayWise showed up with another creative initiative this summer, bringing  Diamond Decisions to the 2025 Canada Games in St. John’s, N.L.  We partnered with the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), an independent, non-profit organization that works to prevent gambling harm, to deliver an interactive experience about understanding risk to young people to help prevent the development of gambling harms.

The game was designed to reach young adults – a group identified as more vulnerable to gambling-related risks. Participants appreciated how the activity made complex ideas about gambling feel accessible and engaging, while reinforcing the importance of informed decision making.

Learn more about Diamond Decisions and the importance of talking to youth about gambling here.

A win against illegal gambling was felt across the country

A Manitoba court ruling against an illegal gambling site marked a significant win not just for Manitobans, but for Atlantic Canadians too. The decision reinforced the importance of protecting players by ensuring gambling is conducted through regulated, legal channels that prioritize healthy play and community benefit.

The case highlighted how illegal operators undermine provincial lotteries by diverting funds away from programs that support local communities. By banning the site, the court strengthened the integrity of Canada’s gambling framework and underscored the risks of unregulated play. For Atlantic Lottery, the ruling validated ongoing efforts to promote healthy play and responsible gambling, while ensuring that revenues continue to support essential services and initiatives across the region.

Read what Atlantic Lottery President and CEO Dallas McCready had to say about the ruling here.

Community initiatives took the sting out of winter

Atlantic Lottery is proud to support many community initiatives that have important cultural, social, and economic impacts across the region all year long. While outdoor festivals on warm, summer days pop to mind for many, Atlantic Lottery supported many events that helped brighten the colder months across Atlantic Canada.

From Nova Scotia’s South Shore Lobster Crawl and Newfoundland and Labrador’s Winter Carnival Multicultural Fair to New Brunswick’s Sno Fest, Prince Edward Island’s Winterval and everything in between, there was plenty of seasonal fun to join across the region.

Read about more of the winter festivals and events across Atlantic Canada here.

AL returned $498.7 million in profit

In 2024–25, Atlantic Lottery returned an impressive $498.7 million in profit to the four Atlantic provinces, an increase of $11.7 million from the previous year. These funds directly supported essential public services such as health care, education, and infrastructure, ensuring that every dollar stayed in the region to strengthen communities.

Beyond financial contributions, Atlantic Lottery invested in community wellbeing through sponsorships, charitable programs, and volunteerism with employees logging over 1,450 volunteer hours. The organization also partnered with more than 100 community events across the region, from Afrifest in Nova Scotia to the Corner Brook Multicultural Fair in Newfoundland and Labrador, helping celebrate diversity, promote wellness, and drive local tourism. This combination of financial returns and hands-on involvement underscores Atlantic Lottery’s social purpose: making a game-changing impact for the people and places of Atlantic Canada.

See the full 2024-25 Annual Report here.

We capped off the year by giving to United Ways across Atlantic Canada

The holiday season is a time to give back, and Atlantic Lottery embraced that spirit in December 2025 by contributing $10,000 to United Ways across the region. The donation supported programs in all four Atlantic provinces, helping strengthen local communities during a season of need.

Our team also went beyond financial support, volunteering with United Way projects, offering their time and energy to make a difference. Their hands-on involvement added an extra layer of impact, ensuring communities benefited not only from funding but also from personal commitment and care.

Learn more about the impact and how you can support your local United Way here.

As you can see, there’s never a shortage of fun projects or positive initiatives happening at Atlantic Lottery. While it’s been fun to look back, it just makes us even more excited to see all that 2026 brings!