The Nova Scotia government says it will start making more money from the province's two casinos.

A newly amended operating contract calls for the province to receive 44.5 per cent of casino revenues instead of just a share of the profits as it has in the past.

Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, the British Columbia-based company that bought the Halifax and Sydney casinos in May, is entitled to 55.5 per cent of the revenues.

The government is now expected to receive about $48-million over the next 10 years.

"What this says to us all is we're moving toward the industry standard," Peter Christie, Nova Scotia's finance minister, said today.

Great Canadian Gaming Corporation President Tony Martin said his company has similar agreements in Ontario and B.C.

Under the amended agreement, the company's current 10-year contract will be renewable for an additional 10 years in 2015.

Another concern, responsible gaming, has been addressed in the amended agreement.

Marie Mullally, president of The Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation -- a Crown corporation that oversees the province's gaming business -- announced Martin's company will ensure that casino employees are better trained to deal with problem gamblers, and will establish new resource centres at casinos.

"If Nova Scotia's gaming strategy evolves, the casinos will evolve with it," said MLA Graham Steele, the NDP finance critic. "They understand they are part of the community. That's a good thing."

The casinos, meanwhile, are thriving. The one in Sydney, which cost $30 million to build, will be paid off this year. The $92-million casino in Halifax will be paid off in 2009, just nine years after opening.

Nova Scotia has allowed casinos to operate since 1995.

With a report from ATV's Rick Grant