Nova Scotia is replacing hundreds of aging slot machines as part of a multi-million dollar update now underway.

The provincial government says 404 video lottery terminals in bars and lounges will be replaced during the 2026-27 fiscal year, along with another 212 machines in First Nations communities.

The total cost of the replacement program is about $14 million, with the work expected to be completed by summer.

Figures provided by the Atlantic Lottery show Nova Scotia machines generated about $121.9 million in net revenue last year, down from $125.7 million the year before.

Officials say the new machines are similar to those being removed, but feature updated software and graphics.

 

The province says the older terminals have reached the end of their useful life.

Retired machines may be sold to jurisdictions outside Canada or kept for spare parts.

Government officials also say there is still a moratorium on adding new VLTs in Nova Scotia.

When locations with VLTs close, those machines are permanently removed from the market.

The province introduced a cap of 2,234 machines in 2011. Since then, 239 terminals have been removed, bringing the current cap to 1,995, not including machines in First Nations communities.