OUR HISTORY
A lot has changed since OLG was founded in 1975 – but our commitment to making a difference for the people of Ontario has remained the same. Explore our history to learn more about our past, and to get excited about our future.
OUR HISTORY
A lot has changed since OLG was founded in 1975 – but our commitment to making a difference for the people of Ontario has remained the same. Explore our history to learn more about our past, and to get excited about our future.
RICH HISTORY, VIBRANT FUTURE
OLG has proudly given back to the people and Province of Ontario since we launched the first lottery in Ontario in 1975. As we evolve, we’re continuing to support communities while creating the future of gaming entertainment. Through product growth and expansion, we are innovating Ontario’s gaming industry while building deep relationships with our customers and partners to drive ongoing success. We can’t wait to see what tomorrow will bring.
OLG Through the Years
Explore over 40 years of OLG milestones that celebrate all we’ve achieved.
2020
2020
January
OLG announces its intent to include the Windsor Gaming Bundle in its land-based gaming modernization, which includes Caesars Windsor.
2020
March
President & CEO Stephen Rigby announces his departure from OLG.
2020
All Ontario casinos, cGaming centres and the OLG Prize Centre temporarily close in response to provincial COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.
2020
April
OLG announces six-month extension for Lottery prize claims and increases winning threshold for mail in claims.
2020
June
Prize Centre resumes in-person prize claims.
2020
August
Some casinos and cGaming sites begin reopening under strict capacity limitations.
2020
October
OLG announces the appointment of Duncan Hannay as President and Chief Executive Officer.
2020
OLG’s new LIGHTNING LOTTO game is the first in Ontario where winning numbers are drawn daily before sales begin – starting at $125,000, the jackpot grows until it is won.
2020
A new digital platform launches, combining PlayOLG.ca with a redesigned OLG.ca.
2020
November
OLG limits in-person prize claims at Prize Centre in response to increased provincial COVID-19 lockdown measures.
2020
December
Nearly 10,000 new lottery terminals have been installed at retail locations across Ontario, providing an enhanced customer and retailer experience.
2021
2021
January
Launch of $5 INSTANT PLINKO, a game that combines traditional scratch play with the chance to drop a chip on a real PLINKO Board at the OLG Prize Centre.
2021
April
OLG and Pollard Banknote sign a 10-year ticket printing contract.
2021
July
Customers and employees begin returning to Ontario casinos and Gaming centres under the provincial reopening framework.
2021
Launch of new OLG transactional app for iOS and Android, letting registered customers manage their account, play their favourite games and check lottery tickets anytime, anywhere.
2021
August
OLG is the first in Ontario to offer single event wagering with the launch of PROLINE+, OLG’s digital sportsbook, reaching $1 million in wagers in less than one week.
2021
October
Live Casino Games launch on OLG.ca, giving customers the casino experience from anywhere.
2022
2022
January
OLG announces a month-long closure of all Ontario casinos and cGaming Centres in response to provincial COVID-19 lockdown measures.
2022
OLG named to Forbes list of Canada’s Best Employers 2022 – and is ranked in the top 20 per cent of companies across Canada with more than 500 employees.
2022
February
Launch of the new PROLINE at retail locations across Ontario, bringing single event wagering and more expansive wagering options to the in-store experience.
2022
March
OLG launches the Support Local initiative to give back to Lottery retailers and thank them for their partnership and exceptional service throughout the challenging first two years of the pandemic. Support Local goes above and beyond OLG’s standard blended retailer commission rate – already the highest in Canada.
2022
PROLINE+ becomes the first official sportsbook partner of the NHL in Canada.
2022
OLG releases LOTTO MAX Dream Drop campaign in collaboration with Mr. Saturday, which goes on to win four Cannes Lions awards.
2022
April
The Ontario iGaming market opens to private gaming operators who have executed an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario and registered with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
2022
June
PROLINE becomes the first official sportsbook partner in Ontario.
2022
Live Game Show Games launch on OLG.ca, a new category of digital games of chance featuring a live, in-studio host.
2022
August
OLG launches new sports betting app that brings online wagering and bet building into one integrated app.
2022
LOTTO MAX Dream Bars give Ontarians a taste of the millionaire life with ice cream bars in exclusive flavours, that come in a wrapper that can be redeemed for a LOTTO MAX ticket.
2022
OLG and MGE Niagara Entertainment Inc. announce the OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino, a state of the art, 5,000 seat entertainment complex adjacent to Fallsview Casino Resort.
2022
September
Launch of the new LOTTO 6/49, which includes two multi-million-dollar jackpots, including the new Gold Ball Draw and Gold Ball Jackpot Draw.
OLG gives back to communities through TIFF on Tour, which brings the excitement of the world-renowned film festival to small towns across Ontario.
OLG expands its globally recognized responsible gambling program with the launch of My PlayBreak, its new self-exclusion program. The new enhanced and rebranded program offers customers more flexibility and choice – — whether they want to take a break from play at an Ontario casino, Charitable Gaming Centre, or on OLG.ca.
OLG announces its intent to introduce up to 1,400 self-serve lottery terminals in select retail locations across the province, beginning in the second half of 2023.
2022
October
OLG partners with MLB to immortalize the Chatham Coloured All-Stars, a 1930’s Championship Ontario Baseball Team, through a popular video game and powerful film.
2022
$100 ULTIMATE launches across Ontario, offering OLG’s best odds ever to become a millionaire.
2022
November
Launch of OLG’s inaugural Impact Report, detailing the ways OLG acts as a force for positive change in Ontario through meaningful actions that make life better for people in communities across the province.
2022
OLG releases three-year Responsible Gambling plan. As part of its commitment to making player health a top priority and a cornerstone of our business, OLG launched its first Responsible Gambling (RG) plan. The RG plan serves as a framework and foundation for our work in RG and sets out key milestones to guide our RG efforts.
2010 – 2019