• the fact that 100% of ALC’s profits are returned to the four Atlantic Canadian provincial governments for the funding of health care, education and other essential programs and services in our region, and;
• ALC’s continuing commitment to the values of integrity and responsibility and integrating those into all areas of their business.

Back in 1976, ALC started with one game: A-1. Since then, ALC has become a leader in game development offering a host of products – from instant products to draw games, and the online delivery of these products via their PlaySphere service.

In 2004, the Government of Prince Edward Island approached the Atlantic Lottery Corporation about developing a racing entertainment centre at the Charlottetown Driving Park and the Summerside Raceway. The request followed a challenge to the province’s harness racing industry on how it could be revitalized. This request was made more urgent by considerable damage to the grandstand at the Charlottetown Driving Park caused by Hurricane Juan. Led by the Maritime Harness Racing Development Council, the industry responded with a proposal, approved by the Council of Atlantic Premiers earlier that year, to look at how other provinces had combined gaming and harness racing to revitalize the industry.
 

Off and Running

ALC began a study of successful gaming and entertainment centres at racing tracks nationwide. Research showed that these centres had helped to significantly rejuvenate the racing industry in each province, create year-round employment, increase agricultural revenues, and produce economic spin-offs for surrounding communities and the province. They were also marketed as tourist destinations, which generated additional revenue at the community and provincial levels. And revenues from the centres’ electronic gaming and other entertainment options were invested in the harness racing industry, resulting in a higher quality of horses and races, and larger purses.

After completing the study, the Government of P.E.I. asked ALC to develop a business plan to create a similar, but customized, centre for the province, one that would generate comparable tourism, financial, agricultural, and employment benefits both for the community and the province. Once the plan was in place, the Province of P.E.I. and ALC proceeded with development of a gaming and entertainment centre at the Charlottetown racetrack.
 

The Home Stretch

The public opening of the 50,000 sq ft. Charlottetown Driving Park Entertainment Centre took place on August 11, 2005. In 2009, the facility was renamed to embrace the Island tradition and embody the total, one-of-a-kind experience. The result was the introduction of ‘RED SHORES Racetrack & Casino’ at Charlottetown Driving Park. With these evolutions, the facility continues to proudly showcase the deep history of horse racing on Prince Edward Island and the stars of its sport. It is one of the most sophisticated centres of its kind in Canada, balancing high quality entertainment with the most advanced responsible gaming features available today. Highlights include the restored, three-tier TOP OF THE PARK Restaurant, a new grandstand, a CASINO featuring over 200 slots and six professional Texas Hold’em Poker tables, a teletheatre hosting pari-mutuel betting and enhanced simulcast racing, as well as a tribute to harness racing families and the harness racing history in P.E.I.

The sister property, RED SHORES at Summerside, located at the historical Summerside Raceway, was opened to the public on August 14, 2009. Highlights include a new grandstand, live & simulcast racing, a gaming floor offering 40 slots and two electronic Texas Hold’em Poker tables, plus, casual food & drink in the WEST-END Bar & Grill.