TORONTO, ON – Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) today marked the close of its Request for Pre-Qualification (RFPQ) for the Southwest Gaming Bundle, which was issued on May 29, 2013. “OLG’s modernization program continues to progress. We are now in active procurement in more than half of our 29 Gaming Zones,” said Rod Phillips, OLG President and CEO. “With the closing of the Southwest RFPQ, we will now undertake our due diligence in evaluating the submissions.” From the RFPQ submissions, OLG will select the service providers who are eligible to receive the Request for Proposal (RFP) document for the Southwest Gaming Bundle. Interested service providers were required to submit proposals for the entire Gaming Bundle as set out in the RFPQ, not for individual Gaming Zones or Gaming Sites contained within the Gaming Bundle. This means that service providers must demonstrate their ability to assume specific day-to-day operations all six facilities in the Southwest Gaming Bundle. As part of its modernization, OLG is working with the government and horse racing industry stakeholders to integrate horse racing into the provincial gaming strategy to ensure future revenue streams for the industry. The Horse Racing Industry Transition Panel held four stakeholder consultations in July 2013 to listen people's concerns and ideas. “I was pleased to attend the Panel’s consultations with stakeholders because, like the government, we’re also interested in hearing from those involved in the horse racing industry about how we can work together to achieve a strong, sustainable industry over the long-term,” said Phillips. In the coming months, OLG will launch RFPQs for the remaining Gaming Zones – some in Gaming Bundles. All RFPQs will be available on MERXTM (www.merx.com/olg). MERXTM charges a fee to download this type of material. OLG has two impartial advisors providing oversight on the integrity and fairness of the procurement process. While the new gaming model will include securing qualified service providers for the day-to-day operation of gaming, OLG will continue its role in the conduct, management and oversight of lottery and gaming. OLG will also continue to help prevent and mitigate the effects of problem gambling through its Responsible Gambling program, which is recognized internationally by the World Lottery Association’s certification program, and at eight gaming sites, by the Responsible Gambling Council of Canada’s RG Check program. OLG contributes nearly $2 billion annually to the Ontario government. The vast majority of this funding is directed to hospitals and health care. All Ontarians will benefit once the modernization of lottery and gaming is complete through additional revenue to help fund provincial priorities such as hospitals and municipal infrastructure. In addition, a modern OLG will help create thousands of jobs and drive more than $3 billion in capital investments across Ontario. For more details on Gaming Zones/Bundles, including a map of the Southwest Gaming Bundle, visit:http://corporate.olg.ca/modernizing-lottery-and-gaming-in-ontario-project-status/ OLG is a provincial agency responsible for province-wide lottery games and gaming facilities. Since 1975, OLG lotteries, Casinos, Slots, and Resort Casinos have generated more than $36 billion for the benefit of the Province of Ontario. Proceeds from OLG's operations help support Ontario's hospitals, amateur sport through the QUEST FOR GOLD program, recreational and cultural activities, communities, provincial priority programs such as health care and education, and local and provincial charities.

modernolg.ca OLG is modernizing Lottery and Gaming for a better Ontario Follow us on Twitter @modern_olg

olg.ca

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

Disponible en français

-30-