New Gaming Site Coming to Belleville

OLG and the Government of Ontario have approved Ontario Gaming East Limited Partnership, the service provider for the East Gaming Bundle, to begin construction on a new gaming site in the City of Belleville. OGELP submitted a business case for the new site, which received final approval from the Minister of Finance on December 11, 2015. Branded as Shorelines Casino Belleville, the new gaming site is expected to be open to the public in spring 2017. A groundbreaking ceremony took place on the new site at 380 Bell Boulevard in Belleville on April 27, 2016.

$20 MILLION RAISED FOR SUDBURY CHARITIES THROUGH CHARITABLE BINGO AND GAMING REVITALIZATION

TORONTO, ON – Ontario’s Charitable Bingo and Gaming Revitalization initiative is marking an important milestone in Sudbury. More than $20 million has been raised and has benefited local charities in the region as a result of the revitalization of charitable bingo and gaming.

This program, which began over a decade ago, is delivered through a partnership between Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), the Ontario Charitable Gaming Association (OCGA), the Commercial Gaming Association of Ontario (CGAO) and local gaming and bingo centre operators.

Boardwalk Gaming Centre hosted the official celebration for the $20 million milestone, as this location was part of the initial pilot project in 2005. Today’s event was attended by Glenn Thibeault, MPP for Sudbury; Brian Bigger, Mayor of Sudbury; Rick Gray, Vice President of Charitable Gaming, OLG; and Lynn Cassidy, Executive Director of the Ontario Charitable Gaming Association.

“I’m so impressed with the work that has been done locally over the past 10 years through the revitalization of Charitable Gaming.  What an achievement, raising 20 million dollars to benefit so many local charities and non-profit organizations across our community,” said Glenn Thibeault, MPP for Sudbury. “I want to commend the staff at Boardwalk gaming, OLG, as well as the many volunteers who have helped reach this milestone.  And I know there is more to come in the future as this partnership continues.”

“The City of Greater Sudbury is very proud of our community partnership with Boardwalk Gaming and their 150 local charities and not-for-profits that raise over $2 million annually for programs and services in our city,” said Brian Bigger, Mayor of Greater Sudbury.” All of these funds remain in our community and benefit the people of Greater Sudbury in a way that is truly impactful.”

“OLG is proud of the Charitable Gaming Revitalization program and the role we play in providing sustainable revenue sources to the charities that serve the Sudbury area,” said Rick Gray, OLG’s Vice President of Charitable Gaming.

“Today is celebrating the wonderful success of Charitable Gaming in Sudbury,” said Lynn Cassidy, Executive Director of the OCGA. “This initiative is making a big difference to many local charities that provide important programs and services.”

Background on Charitable Gaming in Ontario

In the past 10 years, OLG has been working with the CGAO and the OCGA to revitalize the province’s Charitable

Bingo and Gaming industry. By developing and introducing new products and technologies that have invigorated the

traditional Charitable Gaming experience, more money has been generated for thousands of local charities across the

province. The revitalization initiative is preserving and enhancing funding for charities across Ontario while creating

economic benefits, including employment opportunities at local Charitable Gaming centres.

A pilot program was started in 2005 to test electronic versions of existing paper-based bingo games with six

Charitable Gaming Centres in five communities in Ontario.

Following the success of this pilot project, a phased rollout of a new suite of electronic games was introduced to

other Charitable Gaming Centres in the province. This started in 2012.  The new Charitable Gaming products offer

customers more choice and complement existing paper bingo games:

  • Electronic Bingo: Charitable Gaming Centres offer terminals with touch screens that allow players to

    touch the screen to dab the numbers and play along.

  • Play On Demand (POD): A collection of electronic games that can be played anytime, with great prizes

    to be won.

  • TapTix: The evolution of the classic Break Open Ticket features an interactive display screen on a ticket

    dispenser.

The new games allow Charitable Gaming Centres to offer more customer choice and appeal to a broader

demographic, while providing a different gaming entertainment experience from traditional bingo.

In total, 31 Charitable Gaming Centres have raised more than $100 million in additional money for local charities

and their communities.

As part of the revitalization, OLG assisted in introducing Responsible Gaming Resource Centres at all of the 31

Charitable Gaming Centres.  The RGRCs, managed by the Responsible Gambling Council of Ontario, offer effective

educational tools and resources to build awareness and understanding of the risks associated with, and strategies to

prevent, problem gambling.

Each RGRC has information available on the following topics:

  • Safer play strategies
  • Gambling myths and facts
  • Community agencies that support people with gambling concerns

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
OLG Media Relations
1-888-946-6716
Ontario Charitable Gaming Association (OCGA)
905-824-5478

OLG is the Ontario government agency that delivers gaming entertainment in a socially responsible manner. OLG conducts and manages gaming facilities, the sale of province-wide lottery games, PlayOLG Internet gaming, the delivery of bingo and other electronic gaming products at Charitable Gaming Centres and is leading the integration of horse racing into the provincial gaming strategy. Since 1975, OLG has provided nearly $42 billion to the Province and the people of Ontario. These payments to the province support the operation of hospitals, amateur sport through the Quest for Gold program, local and provincial charities and problem gambling prevention, treatment and research.

All for Here – 100 per cent of OLG’s proceeds are invested in Ontario
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Follow on Twitter @OLGtoday

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OLG MAKES FOURTH-QUARTER PAYMENTS TO GAMING SITE HOST MUNICIPALITIES

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON – The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) today issued fourth-quarter (January to March, 2016) non-tax gaming revenue payments totaling $20,184,541 to 22 municipalities which currently host OLG facilities. To date, host municipalities have received more than $1.2 billion in non-tax gaming revenue.

“OLG gaming site revenue provided to host municipalities helps communities invest in infrastructure projects and important local programs and services which benefit Ontario families,” said Charles Sousa, Ontario’s Minister of Finance. “Along with supporting local development, these funds directly benefit vital public services such as health care and education in communities across Ontario.”

These payments are made under an equitable formula in the Municipality Contribution Agreement that determines the funds municipalities receive for hosting an OLG gaming facility and are based on an escalating scale of gaming revenue that is consistent across all sites in Ontario.

At approximately $2 billion annually, OLG provides the Ontario government with its largest source of non-tax revenue. Modernization will help OLG provide more money to Ontario for hospitals and other government priorities.

In fiscal 2015-2016, the province allocated $115 million in gaming revenue to support charities through the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Every year, the Government of Ontario allocates funding to the province’s problem gambling program for research, treatment and prevention. The amount for fiscal 2015-2016 was $38 million.

OLG is the Ontario government agency that delivers gaming entertainment in a socially responsible manner. OLG conducts and manages gaming facilities, the sale of province-wide lottery games, PlayOLG Internet gaming, the delivery of bingo and other electronic gaming products at Charitable Gaming Centres and is leading the integration of horse racing into the provincial gaming strategy. Since 1975, OLG has provided nearly $42 billion to the Province and the people of Ontario. These payments to the province support the operation of hospitals, amateur sport through the Quest for Gold program, local and provincial charities and problem gambling prevention, treatment and research.

All for Here – 100 per cent of OLG’s proceeds are invested in Ontario
olg.ca
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LABOUR DISPUTE AT THE SLOTS AT RIDEAU CARLETON RACEWAY

TORONTO, ON – The union representing gaming floor employees at the Slots at Rideau Carleton Raceway has been in a labour dispute with OLG since December 16, 2015, more than 120 days ago.

On April 14, 2016, OLG provided our best and final offer to gambling floor employees to vote on in an attempt to resolve the issues in dispute and return the employees to work.  The gaming floor employees rejected the offer.

OLG offered wage increases which are fair and reasonable and consistent with the Government’s directives on collective bargaining.

The union demanded almost 20% in increases over 5 years.

OLG provides its employees with competitive wages and benefits.  The average wage rate for the bargaining unit at the Slots at Rideau is $17.32, with some employees eligible to receive tips.

In addition, employees are provided with comprehensive health, dental and life insurance coverage with no deductibles and which includes such items as eye glasses, massage therapy and physiotherapy.

OLG reiterated that employees will remain in their current pension plan until a new service provider begins to operate the Slots at Rideau Carleton Raceway on OLG’s behalf.

To ensure that OLG employees continue to have a pension plan after they transfer to the service provider, the new service provider will be contractually required to provide a registered pension plan for employees, from the first day they take over operation of the Slots at Rideau Carleton Raceway.

OLG is currently deciding how it will proceed given this outcome.  In the meantime, the Slots at Rideau Carleton Raceway will remain open to our customers.

OLG is the Ontario government agency that delivers gaming entertainment in a socially responsible manner. OLG conducts and manages gaming facilities, the sale of province-wide lottery games, PlayOLG Internet gaming, the delivery of bingo and other electronic gaming products at Charitable Gaming Centres and is leading the integration of horse racing into the provincial gaming strategy. Since 1975, OLG has provided nearly $42 billion to the Province and the people of Ontario. These payments to the province support the operation of hospitals, amateur sport through the Quest for Gold program, local and provincial charities and problem gambling prevention, treatment and research.

All for Here – 100 per cent of OLG’s proceeds are invested in Ontario
olg.ca
Follow on Twitter @OLGtoday

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“Know your limit. Play within it.”
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THE ONTARIO PROBLEM GAMBLING HELPLINE 1-888-230-3505

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OLG MEDIA RELATIONS
1-888-946-6716

$1 MILLION RAISED FOR THUNDER BAY CHARITIES THROUGH CHARITABLE BINGO AND GAMING REVITALIZATION

TORONTO, ON – Ontario’s Charitable Bingo and Gaming Revitalization initiative is marking an important milestone in Thunder Bay. More than $1 million has been raised and has benefited local charities in the region as a result of the revitalization of charitable bingo and gaming.

This program, which began a decade ago, is delivered through a partnership between Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), the Ontario Charitable Gaming Association (OCGA), the Commercial Gaming Association of Ontario (CGAO) and local gaming and bingo centre operators.

Superior Shores Gaming Centre hosted the official celebration for the $1 million milestone, as this location, which is owned and operated by sixty-five local charities, converted to an e-bingo gaming site in December 2014. Today’s event was attended by the The Honourable Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines and MPP for Thunder Bay-Superior North, Mayor Keith Hobbs, David Fraser, Director of Governance and Relationship Management, OLG and Lynn Cassidy, Executive Director of the Ontario Charitable Gaming Association.

“OLG is proud of the Charitable Bingo and Gaming Revitalization program and the role we have played in providing sustainable revenue sources to the charities that serve the Thunder Bay area,” said Rick Gray, OLG’s Vice President of Charitable Gaming.

“Today is celebrating the wonderful success of Charitable Gaming in Thunder Bay,” said Lynn Cassidy, Executive Director of the OCGA.  “This initiative is making a big difference to many local charities who provide important programs and services.”

Background on Charitable Gaming in Ontario

In the past 10 years, OLG has been working with the CGAO and the OCGA to revitalize the province’s Charitable Bingo and Gaming industry. By developing and introducing new products and technologies that have invigorated the traditional Charitable Gaming experience, more money has been generated for thousands of local charities across the province. The revitalization initiative is preserving and enhancing funding for charities across Ontario while creating economic benefits, including employment opportunities at local Charitable Gaming centres.

A pilot program was started in 2005 to test electronic versions of existing paper-based bingo games with six Charitable Gaming Centres in five communities in Ontario.

Following the success of this pilot project, a phased rollout of a new suite of electronic games was introduced to other Charitable Gaming Centres in the province. This started in 2012.  The new Charitable Gaming products offer customers more choice and complement existing paper bingo games:

  • Electronic Bingo: Charitable Gaming Centres offer terminals with touch screens that allow players to
    touch the screen to dab the numbers and play along.
  • Play On Demand (POD): A collection of electronic games that can be played anytime, with great prizes
    to be won.
  • TapTix: The evolution of the classic Break Open Ticket features an interactive display screen on a ticket
    dispenser.

The new games allow Charitable Gaming Centres to offer more customer choice and appeal to a broader demographic, while providing a different gaming entertainment experience from traditional bingo.

In total, 31 Charitable Gaming Centres have raised more than $100 million in additional money for local charities and their communities.

As part of the revitalization, OLG assisted in introducing Responsible Gaming Resource Centres at all of the 31 Charitable Gaming Centres.  The RGRCs, managed by the Responsible Gambling Council of Ontario, offer effective educational tools and resources to build awareness and understanding of the risks associated with, and strategies to prevent, problem gambling.

Each RGRC has information available on the following topics:

  • Safer play strategies
  • Gambling myths and facts
  • Community agencies that support people with gambling concerns

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
OLG Media Relations
1-888-946-6716
Ontario Charitable Gaming Association (OCGA)
905-824-5478

OLG is the Ontario government agency that delivers gaming entertainment in a socially responsible manner. OLG conducts and manages gaming facilities, the sale of province-wide lottery games, PlayOLG Internet gaming, the delivery of bingo and other electronic gaming products at Charitable Gaming Centres and is leading the integration of horse racing into the provincial gaming strategy. Since 1975, OLG has provided nearly $42 billion to the Province and the people of Ontario. These payments to the province support the operation of hospitals, amateur sport through the Quest for Gold program, local and provincial charities and problem gambling prevention, treatment and research.

All for Here – 100 per cent of OLG’s proceeds are invested in Ontario
olg.ca
Follow on Twitter @OLGtoday

PlaySmart.ca
“Know your limit. Play within it.”
Follow on Twitter @PlaySmartOLG

THE ONTARIO PROBLEM GAMBLING HELPLINE 1-888-230-3505

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CONTACT:
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JAYS CARE FOUNDATION TAKES PART IN NEW ELECTRONIC 50/50 RAFFLE PILOT PROGRAM

TORONTO –   A new partnership between the Jays Care Foundation and the Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation (OLG) is creating a new game day tradition for Toronto Blue Jays baseball fans which will benefit charities across Ontario.

Just in time for the Blue Jays’ home opener, OLG is introducing a new electronic 50/50 raffle system at the Rogers Centre. State-of-the-art handheld devices will replace the existing manual 50/50 raffles. The change will help raise more money for charities supported by the Jays Care Foundation and provide larger prizes for raffle players.

Electronic 50/50 raffle draws are also available at Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto Rock and Ottawa Senators home games. Sales at these games started in September 2014, which has resulted in significantly increased money raised for the Maple Leaf Sports Entertainment (MLSE) Foundation and the Ottawa Senators Foundation.

Highlights of the new electronic 50/50 raffle program include:

  • More excitement for players: Electronic 50/50 features real-time displays of total prize money available in the jackpot.
  • Improved access: Electronic 50/50 allows sellers to reach more patrons and allows longer ticket sales to increase money for charities and provide larger jackpots.
  • Greater integrity and accuracy: Electronic 50/50 systems register and record all transactions and tickets.
  • Improved security and accountability: With electronic 50/50, each and every dollar is tracked in real-time.

Results from electronic 50/50 ticket sales at the Rogers Centre, in addition to continued sales from draws at the Air Canada Centre and the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, will provide more data in order to evaluate this pilot program.

OLG is the Ontario government agency that delivers gaming entertainment in a socially responsible manner. OLG conducts and manages gaming facilities, the sale of province-wide lottery games, PlayOLG Internet gaming, the delivery of bingo and other electronic gaming products at Charitable Gaming Centres and is leading the integration of horse racing into the provincial gaming strategy. Since 1975, OLG has provided nearly $42 billion to the Province and the people of Ontario. These payments to the province support the operation of hospitals, amateur sport through the Quest for Gold program, local and provincial charities and problem gambling prevention, treatment and research.

All for Here – 100 per cent of OLG’s proceeds are invested in Ontario
olg.ca
Follow on Twitter @OLGtoday

PlaySmart.ca
“Know your limit. Play within it.”
Follow on Twitter @PlaySmartOLG

THE ONTARIO PROBLEM GAMBLING HELPLINE 1-888-230-3505

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1-888-946-6716

OLG Administers Funding for Horse Racing Industry

Effective today, OLG is taking over administration of the Transfer Payment Agreements (TPAs) that the Ontario government has with racetracks in the province. TPAs support the industry by providing funding for purses and operational costs at tracks that run live racing.

The ongoing collaboration between the Ontario government, OLG and the industry is helping to build the foundation for proactive, industry-led success. By taking over administration of the TPAs, OLG will distribute approximately $93 million of government funding to racetracks in Ontario to support close to 950 race dates in 2016-17.

In the 2016 Ontario Budget, the government announced a two-year extension to support for the horse racing industry, formerly known as the Horse Racing Partnership Funding Program. The extension will provide funding that is consistent with current levels until March 2021, giving the industry confidence to make investments and business decisions for the coming years.

OLG is continuing to work with the industry to provide options to the Ontario government on a long-term funding arrangement.

OLG is also launching a new page on OLG.ca that contains information and updates on horse racing integration. The new horse racing line of business at OLG is providing additional resources to keep integration moving forward in partnership with the industry and government.

Horse racing is vital to rural communities. The industry provides jobs for thousands of people across the province and is an important part of Ontario’s heritage.

OLG ADMINISTERS FUNDING FOR HORSE RACING INDUSTRY

TORONTO, ON – Effective today, OLG is taking over administration of the Transfer Payment Agreements (TPAs) that the Ontario government has with racetracks in the province. TPAs support the industry by providing funding for purses and operational costs at tracks that run live racing.

“The ongoing collaboration between the Ontario government, OLG and the industry is helping to build the foundation for proactive, industry-led success,” said Cal Bricker, Senior Vice President, Horse Racing. “By taking over administration of the TPAs, OLG will distribute approximately $93 million of government funding to racetracks in Ontario to support close to 950 race dates in 2016-17.”

In the 2016 Ontario Budget, the government announced a two-year extension to support for the horse racing industry, formerly known as the Horse Racing Partnership Funding Program. The extension will provide funding that is consistent with current levels until March 2021, giving the industry confidence to make investments and business decisions for the coming years.

OLG is continuing to work with the industry to provide options to the Ontario government on a long-term funding arrangement.

OLG is also launching a new page on OLG.ca that contains information and updates on horse racing integration. The new horse racing line of business at OLG is providing additional resources to keep integration moving forward in partnership with the industry and government.

Horse racing is vital to rural communities. The industry provides jobs for thousands of people across the province and is an important part of Ontario’s heritage.

OLG is the Ontario government agency that delivers gaming entertainment in a socially responsible manner. OLG conducts and manages gaming facilities, the sale of province-wide lottery games, PlayOLG Internet gaming, the delivery of bingo and other electronic gaming products at Charitable Gaming Centres and is leading the integration of horse racing into the provincial gaming strategy. Since 1975, OLG has provided nearly $42 billion to the Province and the people of Ontario. These payments to the province support the operation of hospitals, amateur sport through the Quest for Gold program, local and provincial charities and problem gambling prevention, treatment and research.

All for Here – 100 per cent of OLG’s proceeds are invested in Ontario
olg.ca
Follow on Twitter @OLGtoday

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“Know your limit. Play within it.”
Follow on Twitter @PlaySmartOLG

THE ONTARIO PROBLEM GAMBLING HELPLINE 1-888-230-3505

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OLG to include Niagara Casinos in modernization

OLG intends to add the two Niagara Casinos—Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara—to its modernization procurement process.

Including the Niagara Casinos in the procurement process will ensure greater consistency in Ontario’s gaming market and will maximize the benefit of modernization for the people and Province of Ontario.

In order to include the two Niagara Casinos in modernization, OLG has notified its operator— Falls Management Group LP, acting through its general partner, Falls Management Company (collectively FMC)—that OLG will not extend the current operating agreement beyond its initial term, which ends on June 10, 2019. This is an option OLG has under the current agreement.

OLG estimates it will take up to three years to procure a service provider for the Niagara Gaming Bundle and enter into a new operating agreement. OLG is announcing its intention to include the Niagara Casinos in modernization now to ensure the selection of a service provider aligns with the end of the initial term of the current operating agreement with FMC.

OLG expects to release a Request for Pre-Qualification (RFPQ) for the Niagara Gaming Bundle in summer 2016.

Read the full announcement.

OLG TO INCLUDE NIAGARA CASINOS IN MODERNIZATION

TORONTO – The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) is announcing that it intends to add the two Niagara Casinos—Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara—to its modernization procurement process.

“Including the Niagara Casinos in the procurement process will ensure greater consistency in Ontario’s gaming market and will maximize the benefit of modernization for the people and Province of Ontario,” said Stephen Rigby, OLG’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “It will make future capital costs of developing, expanding, improving and maintaining the Niagara Casinos the responsibility of a service provider—so public money is no longer used to cover these costs. It will also give the selected service provider the flexibility to operate the sites in the bundle more efficiently.”

In order to include the two Niagara Casinos in modernization, OLG has notified its operator— Falls Management Group LP, acting through its general partner, Falls Management Company (collectively FMC)—that OLG will not extend the current operating agreement beyond its initial term, which ends on June 10, 2019. This is an option OLG has under the current agreement.

OLG estimates it will take up to three years to procure a service provider for the Niagara Gaming Bundle and enter into a new operating agreement. OLG is announcing its intention to include the Niagara Casinos in modernization now to ensure the selection of a service provider aligns with the end of the initial term of the current operating agreement with FMC. The announcement also allows OLG to:

  • Plan for a smooth transition of operations to a service provider after June 10, 2019
  • Provide notice that OLG intends to add the Niagara Gaming Bundle to the modernization procurement process to pre-qualified proponents that are actively participating in the RFP process for the North, Southwest and GTA Gaming Bundles, as well as to RFPQ applicants in other active Gaming Bundles
  • Ensure the transparency of OLG’s procurement process

OLG expects to release a Request for Pre-Qualification (RFPQ) for the Niagara Gaming Bundle in summer 2016.

OLG is continuing the procurement process for a new Niagara Falls Entertainment Centre. In November 2015, OLG released an RFPQ that outlines the opportunity to design, build, finance and maintain a new large-scale, high-quality entertainment centre in the City of Niagara Falls. OLG expects to release the Request for Proposals (RFP) to pre-qualified proponents in spring 2016. The service provider OLG selects for the Niagara Gaming Bundle will also be responsible for operating the future Niagara Falls Entertainment Centre.

“OLG is proud to be part of the Niagara Falls community,” said Rigby. “We continue to work with all stakeholders to help ensure the long-term competitiveness of the Niagara Falls market.”

At approximately $2 billion annually, OLG provides the Ontario government with its largest source of non-tax revenue. Modernization will help OLG provide more money to Ontario for key government services.

OLG is the Ontario government agency that delivers gaming entertainment in a socially responsible manner. OLG conducts and manages gaming facilities, the sale of province-wide lottery games, PlayOLG Internet gaming, the delivery of bingo and other electronic gaming products at Charitable Gaming Centres and is leading the integration of horse racing into the provincial gaming strategy. Since 1975, OLG has provided nearly $42 billion to the Province and the people of Ontario. These payments to the province support the operation of hospitals, amateur sport through the Quest for Gold program, local and provincial charities and problem gambling prevention, treatment and research.

All for Here – 100 per cent of OLG’s proceeds are invested in Ontario
olg.ca
Follow on Twitter @OLGtoday

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Backgrounder Niagara Gaming Bundle

Gaming Zone Current OLG Gaming Site Host Community
SW10 Casino Niagara Niagara Falls
SW11 Fallsview Casino Resort Niagara Falls

For more details on OLG’s procurement process for the modernization of lottery and gaming, including Gaming Zone maps, visit: http://about.olg.ca/modernization-project-status-rfp/

OLG’s Modernization

In July 2010, OLG was asked by the Ontario government to complete a comprehensive, strategic review of the lottery distribution network and land-based gaming sites. The review resulted in a report to government called Modernizing Lottery and Gaming in Ontario. In March 2012, OLG announced its modernization plan.

OLG is engaging the private sector to help build a new model for lottery and gaming in Ontario. OLG’s modernization will expand private sector participation in the industry, which will ensure greater efficiencies because:

  • Service providers will be able to focus on delivering certain day-to-day operations, while OLG maintains control and accountability
  • Capital costs of expanding, improving and maintaining gaming facilities will be taken on by the private sector, not the government

Through modernization, OLG will:

  • Become more customer focused
  • Expand the regulated role of the private sector in the day-to-day operations of lottery and gaming
  • Renew its role in the conduct and management of lottery and gaming

Under section 207 (1) (a) of the Criminal Code of Canada, only OLG (as an agent of the Province) is permitted to conduct and manage gaming in Ontario. That is why OLG will continue its conduct and manage role and will remain the operating mind behind the delivery of gaming and lottery in Ontario.

As service providers take over certain day-to-day operations of lottery and gaming, OLG will continue to:

  • Conduct and manage lottery and gaming
  • Require compliance with applicable regulations set out by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)
  • Be the owner of key player information
  • Uphold the standards of its Responsible Gambling program through service providers, including the self-exclusion program
  • Distribute Municipality Contribution Agreement payments to host communities

Once modernization is fully implemented, it will provide additional revenue to the Province to support vital services Ontarians rely on. At the same time, Ontario will continue to be a North American leader in responsible gambling, supporting the research, prevention and treatment of problem gambling.

OLG’s Gaming Procurement Process

Modernization is a significant transformation of a government agency. The plan is ambitious and complex.

OLG’s modernization procurement process will lead to long-term contracts with service providers. OLG needs to ensure proper due diligence in order to select service providers from among the best and most qualified proponents.

Since its initial launch, modernization has evolved in response to further consultation with industry experts through the Request for Information (RFI) and Request for Pre-Qualification (RFPQ) processes, collaboration with municipalities across Ontario and public policy adjustments.

OLG has made significant progress by:

  • Completing an RFI process for lottery and land-based gaming
  • Issuing RFPQs for lottery and land-based Gaming Bundles
  • Successfully procuring a service provider for iGaming and launching the PlayOLG online gaming platform
  • Launching the revitalization of charitable gaming
  • Working with the horse racing industry and government to build the foundation for a more sustainable horse racing industry in Ontario
  • Completing the RFP process for the East Gaming Bundle and launching the RFP process for the North, Southwest, GTA and West GTA Gaming Bundles
  • Issuing the RFPQ for the Niagara Gaming Bundle and the RFP for the Niagara Falls Entertainment Centre

On September 9, 2015, OLG announced it had selected Ontario Gaming East LP as the service provider for the East Gaming Bundle. Ontario Gaming East LP took over certain day-to-day operations of OLG Casino Thousand Islands and OLG Slots at Kawartha Downs on January 11, 2016.

What is a Request for Pre-Qualification (RFPQ)?

RFPQs help OLG determine the skills and abilities of potential service providers.

Through a public tendering system (MERX™), interested proponents are asked to submit information on their operational experience, financial and technical attributes and capabilities, including proof of successful experience with similar projects. In addition, the proponents must provide information on business and other relationships that they have had with First Nations and First Nations communities.

Interested proponents must also register with the AGCO or have submitted an application for registration.

The RFPQ process results in OLG identifying pre-qualified proponents eligible to receive the RFP documents—the next step in OLG’s procurement process.

What is a Request for Proposal (RFP)?

In the RFP stage, pre-qualified proponents are invited to bid on a specific opportunity through a competitive and transparent procurement process. RFPs are confidential and only distributed to the proponents that are pre-qualified during the RFPQ stage.

The RFP process will result in OLG selecting a service provider for each Gaming Bundle, subject to customary closing conditions and pending the execution of the Casino Operating and Services Agreement (COSA).

What are Gaming Zones?

In order to effectively manage the gaming market in Ontario, OLG identified Gaming Zones where existing or new gaming facilities would be permitted, subject to municipal and provincial government approvals.

Gaming Zones are geographic areas where a single gaming facility may be located. The location and design of these Gaming Zones is intended to ensure a sustainable and efficient gaming market in Ontario.

The boundaries of Gaming Zones across the province were determined by a gravity model—a business tool commonly used for modeling supply and demand within a given geographic area. The model looked at a number of factors to determine where there is customer demand for a gaming facility, including:

  • Proximity of a Gaming Zone relative to other Gaming Zones and gaming facilities
  • Proximity of a Gaming Zone to current and potential customers
  • Distance a customer is willing to travel to reach a gaming site

Within each Gaming Zone, service providers will be permitted to assume certain day-to-day operations for an existing facility and possibly expand the site, establish a new facility if one does not currently exist, or relocate the existing facility within the boundaries of the Gaming Zone, all subject to approvals.

Only one gaming facility is permitted within each Gaming Zone.

What are Gaming Bundles?

To enable OLG to more effectively manage the gaming market in Ontario, OLG grouped some Gaming Zones into Gaming Bundles—each representing a separate bidding opportunity.

As a result, for some gaming RFPQs, potential proponents have been asked to demonstrate their ability to operate multiple facilities in a given region or geographic area of the province.

Gaming Bundles are intended to create opportunities for service providers to be more efficient by operating multiple facilities in a given region.

What are the next steps for the remaining Gaming Bundles?

OLG expects to release procurement documents for the remaining Gaming Bundles in the coming months.

Interested proponents who pre-qualify through the RFPQ process will be invited to participate in the RFP stage of the procurement process. The successful service provider for the applicable Gaming Bundle will be selected from this group.

Communities and OLG’s Modernization

Municipal and community choice is an important element of OLG’s modernization. OLG will only locate gaming facilities where there is support to do so from the municipal council or the First Nation band council. OLG has always been clear that it will respect the decision of a municipality or First Nation band council regarding hosting a new gaming site, or relocating or expanding an existing one.

When it comes to gaming facilities, OLG’s approach to potential and current host municipalities and host reserves across Ontario has been consistent.

The municipal council or First Nations band council must pass a resolution confirming their interest in hosting a gaming facility.

Where a municipal council or First Nations band council has included conditions as part of its resolution for gaming in its community, such as restrictions on the movement or expansion of a gaming site, OLG will ensure service providers are aware of such conditions during the RFP phase of the procurement process.

The municipal council or the First Nations band council then works with the selected service provider to determine the location of a new gaming site, if one is proposed and permitted.

As has always been the case, adding table games at a gaming site that currently has none, relocating a current gaming site or building a new gaming site can only occur where there is municipal or band council consent and a viable business case put forth by a service provider, which is subsequently approved by OLG.

Any new gaming site, introduction of table games at a gaming site that currently has none, or the proposed relocation of an existing gaming site, is subject to final approval from the Ontario government.

Horse Racing Integration

OLG is working with the horse racing industry and the Ontario government to build the foundation for a more sustainable horse racing industry in Ontario.

Horse racing integration is part of modernization and is included in OLG’s mandate from the Ontario government.

OLG is working with the horse racing industry to:

  • Create a business model for integration that is focused on stability
  • Provide advice to the government on long-term funding
  • Partner with the industry to optimize branding and build public awareness about horse racing
  • Develop new horse-themed lottery and gaming products

OLG is also providing provincial support by sharing its expertise and helping to direct the industry to adopt a Responsible Gambling program.

Ensuring a strong future for horse racing is a priority for OLG and a key part of modernization. Representatives from the horse racing industry, the Government of Ontario and Crown agencies are working together in support of a more sustainable industry.

OLG’s Conduct and Manage Role

OLG will continue its role in the conduct and management of gaming in Ontario.

To fulfill this role, OLG will retain control over lottery and gaming, but will expect service providers to deliver many of the services related to the day-to-day operation of lottery and gaming.

World’s Best Responsible Gambling Program

OLG will continue to work within the Province’s overall problem gambling strategy to contribute to the prevention and mitigation of problem gambling through its Responsible Gambling program, which was ranked number one in the world by the World Lottery Association in 2014.

OLG will also require service providers to follow the Responsible Gambling Standards that OLG has developed.

Ensuring a Competitive Procurement Process

OLG is following the Ontario government’s procurement guidelines to ensure that its procurement process is fair and competitive.

OLG has engaged an impartial Fairness Monitor throughout the process to provide oversight on the integrity and fairness of its procurement process.

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