Chase the Ace licences issued on track to set record in 2016

Figures released by the province suggest the number of Chase the Ace lottery licences issued in 2016 ison track to surpass any previous year since the Nova Scotia governmentstarted approving the games.

Chase the Ace lottery licences are issued under the Nova Scotia Ticket Lottery Regulations.

The first was issued in 2012 and was the only one that year. The number of licencessteadily increased in subsequent years:

• 2013 46
• 2014 139
• 2015 222

In the first four months of 2016, a total of 98 licences were granted in Nova Scotia.

Service Nova Scotia spokesperson TracyBarronsaid the jackpots have rangedfrom $20to $2.6 million. The largest jackpot to date is theAshbyLegion Branch 138in Sydney at $2.6 million, with five cards remaining.

The number of licences issued does not reflect the number of Chase the Ace games currently underway, since many active games had their licence issued last year.

On Wednesday,Premier Stephen McNeil said there were no plans to cap Chase the Ace jackpots, butthe government is watching the safety and integrity of the game.

Barron said the licences are issued in the same manner as other lotteries such as routine 50/50 draws over $500 and other approved prize raffles conducted by many charitable and religious organizations, including youth sport teams.

Under the Criminal Code, all lotteries need to be regulated. If the prize is valued at more than $500, a lottery licence is needed and fee paid on the prize. If it's under$500, a permit is required and there is no fee.

The government gets it's share, with 2.13 per cent payable to the province on the retail value of all prizes awarded over $500.

That means if the Sydney jackpot is awarded May 7at $2.6 million, the province will receive $55,380.