Winnipeg casinos grow as VLT revenue slips at Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries (MBLL) sent $724.1 million to the province in the year ended March 31, 2026, a drop of $6 million, or 0.8 per cent, from the year before.

The Crown corporation's 2025-26 annual report shows its two Winnipeg casinos had a stronger year, while revenue from video lottery terminals (VLTs) fell.

Casinos up

MBLL owns and operates McPhillips Station Casino and Club Regent Casino. Casino revenue rose to $273.2 million from $257.2 million. Net income from the casinos climbed to $106.3 million from $97.5 million.

The report credits more play on electronic games, table games and bingo at both properties. Entertainment revenue also rose, helped by seven more paid shows than the year before, and food and beverage sales benefited from higher traffic.

Casino operating costs went up as well. The report links that to higher employee benefits under negotiated increases in collective agreements, and to extra staff needed for busier food and beverage service.

VLTs down

VLT revenue fell to $337.5 million from $343.1 million, and VLT net income dropped to $180.8 million from $186.3 million. MBLL said the decline mirrored softer VLT performance across most Canadian VLT jurisdictions.

MBLL owns and maintains every VLT in Manitoba. The machines sit in three groups of sites: First Nations, private bars and lounges, and veterans' organizations. Commissions and contributions paid to First Nations sites rose to $63.7 million from $62.5 million. Payments to commercial siteholders fell to $52.1 million from $53.1 million, while veterans' organizations received about $3 million, unchanged.

The report says depreciation and interest costs in the VLT business rose because of newly purchased terminals.

MBLL also oversees First Nations casinos and the Shark Club Gaming Centre on behalf of the provincial government. The report was submitted to Glen Simard, the minister responsible for the corporation, on July 31.