Today the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) announced that it will not enforce the Red Tape Reduction Standards to allow for important discussions between the AGCO and Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) on the approach to burden reduction in the gaming sector.

The AGCO and OLG remain committed to the reduction of inefficiencies in the gaming sector to help create the requisite environment for all gaming sector participants to thrive while upholding the public interest and respecting commercial value, as well as the distinct roles of each Crown Agency.

For clarity, the current legislative framework and existing commercial contracts will remain in effect.

The AGCO and OLG will work together to provide regular updates to the industry through coordinated communications and anticipate completing this important work by the end of the calendar year.

The health and safety of casino customers, employees and the host gaming communities remains as always, a priority for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) and its service providers.

The Government of Ontario announced as part of its Stage 3 re-opening plan, it is permitting certain businesses to re-open in certain regions, including casinos and Charitable Gaming centres, which have been closed since March 16-17, 2020.

The re-opening of these facilities is subject to the following restrictions:

• A maximum of 50 customers in the gaming establishment at any given time;
• A requirement that all persons on-site adhere to two metre physical distancing; and,
• For eligible casinos, no table games at this time.

This Stage 3 re-opening is consistent with the province’s regional approach it took during Stage 2. Eligible casinos and Charitable Gaming centres have been selected on the basis of location and risk, subject to the advice of public health officials.

For casinos and Charitable Gaming centres, re-opening is contingent on having a safety plan for the site (which must include mandatory use of masks or face-coverings for customers), reviewed by an appropriate expert and submitted to the regulator, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).Re-opening dates for eligible casino and Charitable Gaming centres will be set by the service providers and communicated by them. The specific reopening date for each gaming site will vary depending on a site’s readiness and commercial viability to operate under the mandatory restrictions.

Working in partnership with Ontario, its industry partners, and the AGCO, OLG is proud to contribute to the re-opening of the economy with health and safety as a top priority.  

OLG is a crown agency that develops world-class gaming entertainment for the Province of Ontario. Acting in a socially responsible way, OLG conducts and manages land-based gaming facilities; the sale of province-wide lottery games; PlayOLG Internet gaming; and the delivery of bingo and other electronic gaming products at Charitable Gaming Centres. OLG is also helping to build a more sustainable horse racing industry in Ontario. Since 1975, OLG has provided more than $52 billion to the people and Province of Ontario to support key government priorities like health care; the treatment and prevention of problem gambling; and support for amateur athletes. Each year, proceeds from OLG’s operations also support host communities, Ontario First Nations, lottery retailers and local charities across the province.

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

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Follow on Twitter @PlaySmartOLG

ConnexOntario – Problem Gambling Support: 1-866-531-2600

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CONTACT:
OLG MEDIA RELATIONS
1-888-946-6716

TORONTO, ON – OLG is now accepting in-person prize claim appointments for winning-ticket holders of $10,000 or more. Appointments for prizes of this value will be granted if requested, however prizes up to $49,999.90 do not have to be claimed in-person and customers are encouraged to continue to mail in these claims when possible. The mail-in prize limit was increased to allow more customers the opportunity to claim their prizes while still upholding prize integrity.

To best protect customers and staff, measures recommended by public health officials, are in place at the Prize Centre to prevent and reduce the spread of COVID-19, including:

• physical distancing;
• increased cleaning of public and shared spaces;
• available hand sanitizing stations; and
• the mandatory use of masks or face coverings by customers.

Additionally, the number of potential claimants allowed inside the Prize Centre at any given time is limited.

Players are also reminded that prizes up to $999.90 can be claimed at lottery retail locations, subject to availability of cash on-site. Prize claims of $1,000 to $9,999.90 must be mailed to the OLG Prize Centre for processing. Full details are available via the Claiming Prizes pages of OLG.ca.

Future announcements will be made as to when OLG will open appointments to others wishing to claim their prize in-person at the Prize Centre.

OLG appreciates the patience and understanding from our players as we worked to implement these additional procedures to ensure the safety of our customers and our staff.

OLG is a crown agency that develops world-class gaming entertainment for the Province of Ontario. Acting in a socially responsible way, OLG conducts and manages land-based gaming facilities; the sale of province-wide lottery games; PlayOLG Internet gaming; and the delivery of bingo and other electronic gaming products at Charitable Gaming Centres. OLG is also helping to build a more sustainable horse racing industry in Ontario. Since 1975, OLG has provided more than $52 billion to the people and Province of Ontario to support key government priorities like health care; the treatment and prevention of problem gambling; and support for amateur athletes. Each year, proceeds from OLG’s operations also support host communities, Ontario First Nations, lottery retailers and local charities across the province.

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

PlaySmart.ca
Knowledge you can bet on.
Follow on Twitter @PlaySmartOLG

ConnexOntario – Problem Gambling Support: 1-866-531-2600

Disponible en français

CONTACT:
OLG MEDIA RELATIONS
1-888-946-6716

The health and safety of casino customers, employees and the host gaming communities remains as always, a priority for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) and its service providers.

Today, the Government of Ontario announced as part of its Stage 3 re-opening plan, it is permitting certain businesses to re-open in certain regions, including casinos and Charitable Gaming centres, which have been closed since March 16-17, 2020.

The re-opening of these facilities is subject to the following restrictions:

• A maximum of 50 customers in the gaming establishment at any given time;
• A requirement that all persons on-site adhere to two metre physical distancing; and,
• For eligible casinos, no table games at this time.

This Stage 3 re-opening is consistent with the province’s regional approach it took during Stage 2. Eligible casinos and Charitable Gaming centres have been selected on the basis of location and risk, subject to the advice of public health officials.

Eligible casinos include:

• All casinos in the East Bundle (Kawartha, Belleville, Peterborough and Thousand Islands) and some in the West GTA Bundle (Brantford and Grand River) The service provider for these gaming bundles is Great Canadian Gaming Corporation
• Most casinos in the Southwest Bundle (Clinton, Hanover, Woodstock, Chatham, London), and all casinos in the North Bundle (Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Thunder Bay) and Central Bundle (Rama and Innisfil).  The service provider for these gaming bundles is Gateway Casinos and Entertainment.
• Rideau Carleton Casino in Ottawa. The service provider for this gaming bundle is HR Ottawa.

For casinos and Charitable Gaming centres, re-opening is contingent on having a safety plan for the site (which must include mandatory use of masks or face-coverings for customers), reviewed by an appropriate expert and submitted to the regulator, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

Re-opening dates for eligible casino and Charitable Gaming centres will be set by the service providers and communicated by them. The specific reopening date for each gaming site will vary depending on a site’s readiness and commercial viability to operate under the mandatory restrictions.

Working in partnership with Ontario, its industry partners, and the AGCO, OLG is proud to contribute to the re-opening of the economy with health and safety as a top priority.

CONTACT:

OLG MEDIA RELATIONS

1-888-946-6716