On Thursday, May 17, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. issued a Request for Information in regard to its expansion of private-sector gaming in accordance with its previous-announced and highly controversial gaming modernization plan
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The Gaming Zones appear below (downloadable here as a PDF), followed by the contents of an OLG release announcing the official RFI (downloadable here).
May 17, 2012
TORONTO – The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) is today taking an important step forward in modernizing the province’s lottery and gaming industry by issuing a Request for Information (RFI) for the expansion of private-sector gaming.
The OLG is seeking input from potential providers as it expands regulated private-sector gaming in Ontario.
“Issuing the RFI is the next step in modernizing our business,” said Rod Phillips, OLG President and CEO. “This is the start of a process to engage private-sector companies which have the expertise of operating world-class gaming facilities.”
The process will:
- Help determine the range of options available in the market and assess potential vendor interest, as well as risks.
- Outline 29 potential Gaming Zones where regulated private-sector providers will be allowed to operate a single gaming facility, subject to approvals.
- After the RFI closes, OLG will begin to determine how it will engage regulated private-sector providers.
- Once the requirements are determined, OLG may issue a Request for Pre-Qualifications (RFPQ), which would ask vendors interested in the Request for Proposals (RFP) to submit evidence they are qualified and would be compliant with OLG and Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario requirements.
- Following the RFPQ process, OLG may then begin the RFP process as early as fall 2012.
OLG is engaging an independent fairness monitor to ensure the overall procurement process is carried out fairly and transparently. “OLG is continuing conversations with municipalities across the province to gauge interest in participating in our modernization initiative and we will focus only on communities which are interested in having a facility,” said Mr. Phillips.
OLG has provided $833 million to host municipalities in the last decade. When the modernization initiative is finished in 2017-18, OLG expects that figure to have increased for each host municipality.
By modernizing lottery and gaming, OLG will in five years contribute an additional $1.3 billion a year to key public priorities and usher in $3 billion in private-sector capital investment in Ontario. In addition to 2,300 net new jobs in the lottery and gaming industry, the initiative would help create an estimated 4,000 jobs in the hospitality, hotel, restaurant, entertainment and retail industries.
While the new lottery and gaming model will include the expansion of regulated private-sector gaming, OLG will retain complete oversight of the sector, including responsible gaming.
OLG expects to issue a second RFI for the expansion of lotteries in the coming weeks. Both RFIs will be available on MERX (merx.com). MERX charges a fee to download this type of material.
Tara Benson Employee at
Tara Benson
Employee at Windsor 40 years
Would a labour lawyer please step forward and represent the people of Ontario who have lost or will lose their jobs and livelihood in a class-action law suit against Dalton McGuinty, the Liberal party and the OLG.
I believe its time to
I believe its time to petition the governor general to dissolve parliament.
http://www.change.org/petitions/the-right-honourable-david-johnston-gov…
Beverley LaBarge, you are so
Beverley LaBarge, you are so right. The racehorse industry needs to go 'viral' -- in the newspapers, on tv and radio, on the internet. We need support from non horse industry people right now. We have been preaching to the converted for far too long. The rest of the congregation needs to know what's going on and how their government is deceiving and cheating yet another time. Where is our leader, OHRIA these days? If Mr. James can afford to pay for a full-page in The Star, surely to goodness there are others that can do likewise. If all of the small trainers and owners donated whatever they could to a fund, they could also get some media exposure. We need to start pushing back instead of 'playing politics' with these monsters.
send our e-mails to
send our e-mails to [email protected] they are interested voice our concerns to them let them know how we feel about the corruption going on under our noises lets get some investigation going on Mr Godfrey.
In reply to send our e-mails to by shaun moscrop
I notice that many of the
I notice that many of the areas designated in the RFI (Request for Information) indicate "BINGO HALL to be part of revitalization" It's also noteworthy that future RFIs ... which will contain the REAL info on tenders and contract awards will only be available to the public if you want to PAY MERX to see them.
I agree would should all be contacting [email protected].
This balatant corruption needs to exposed for all to see.
Ok, So Ontario, Dr.'s have
Ok, So Ontario, Dr.'s have their own problems with our liberal gov't. We listen to radio and TV and Dr.'s are sure to make us all aware . Where is all the subsidized........ money.... the OLG gave us ???? Why can't we find the money ,other than from one private owner here in Ontario, that took out a full page in the Star? Thank you Ed. Who is monitoring our exess funds, and controlling them? Is it not now time, to exercise some realistic form of education, in the form of the media, to people other than each other in this plight in a huge industry? I am a race horse owner, as well as a sport horse owner and breeder , and am dealing with the medical profession along with Veteran's Affairs, all at the same time. Brutal , all with no response. This government needs to go. We need to either find the way to educate the public for the future, of which there will no longer be for race horses, or take the bull by the horns and take legal action now. Has anyone in charge of the horse racing fate even challenged the Gov't. I would like some information now. Please..... What are our legal rights< as Canadians living in Ontario? Sincerely........
The RFPQ is set so high that
The RFPQ is set so high that only MGM and Ceasars's need apply. Now we know why bright Dwight wasn't fond of Winbak's foreign investment - no kickback. To all people of Ontario: This is a snow job right in front of your very eyes. A lot of elected officials are in line to get very rich. We need a little tutorial over here, from the head of the students' union in Quebec.
Mr. Taxman strikes again!
Mr. Taxman strikes again! Premier McGuinty has his most lucrative HIDDEN TAX YET!! Casinos and Slots permit the Liberals to steal from the wallets of Ontario citizens. Who are they targeting in Kenora, Thunder Bay, Kirkland Lake, Cochrane, Sudbury, North Bay and Sault Saint Marie??? WORLD TRAVELLERS?? TOURISTS?? No Sir. They prey on ADDICTIVE PERSONALITIES. They tax hopes and dreams of the POOR. And they COULDN'T CARE LESS about the cost.
In the end, the REAL PROFITS will line the pockets of AMERICAN CASINO OPERATORS - with some 'future considerations' that will eventually be uncovered. And the Gov't monies (FROM ALL SOURCES) will continue to pour down the drain - and line the pockets of 'friends and family' - in ventures like E-HEALTH; OPG; ORNGE; 407; and more.
SOMEONE needs to start a NEW PARTY ... maybe the PEOPLES PARTY ... and SAVE OUR PROVINCE!! This disease is much bigger than Horse Racing.
Our grandchildren will be
Our grandchildren will be able to play poker 24 hours a day, seven days a week but they will never see Poppa win another race at the local track. I wonder what this whole attack on the horse-racing industry is a smokescreen for? It must be something really awful the politicians want to sneek through when we aren't looking!
So if I understand this
So if I understand this correctly, the OLG is looking for someone to run the slots as well as the current racetracks are doing. Doubtful any big casino operator will do it for less than 20%. Wheres the media in all this mess ? All we hear about are the effects on Drs, teachers,public service employees and Ontario works receipients (all good concerns) but nothing about 60,000 livlihoods being put in jeopardy in the horse racing industry by this budget.Better yet where are the PC's and NDP.Nobody outside the industry seems to care and the Liberals are more than happy to gut our industry by telling the public we are being "subsidised" by taxpayers to support wealthy US investors(just like they are going to do with MGM, Ceasars,etc). Mind boggleing for the Liberals to do this and even more so the PC's and NDP are letting it happen. Am I missing something?
Are they putting the cart
Are they putting the cart before the horse! They are assuming that the population of these 29 gaming zones gaming zones will want to have slots and gaming in their backyards in bingo halls, bars, poker rooms and stand-alone casinos. Lets hope the the proposed legislation on a referendum gets passed. If it doesn't, they are just going to ram it down our throats!
OLG has not provided $833
OLG has not provided $833 million to host municipalities over the last ten years - the Slots at Racetrack s program has provided the money. More fabrications.
I would then suggest that
I would then suggest that the personal and business partnerships between Mr. Godfrey, Chairman of the OLG and Mr. Tannebaum, owner of Boardwalk Gaming be declared a CONFLICT OF INTEREST when it comes to proposals put forth regarding privatization of expanded gaming venues and licences. Since OLG is concerned about "fairness, transparency" and due process going forward. Ya right! The stink is looming over Ontario.
6300 new jobs in return for
6300 new jobs in return for 60000 existing jobs, how exciting!
This is worse than the 407 sale!
WHO ARE THEY KIDDING, 6,300
WHO ARE THEY KIDDING, 6,300 NEW JOBS, what will happen to the 60,000 jobs the horse racing industry provides?????? They take about MODERNIZATION, PRIVATE SECTOR, they cannot get taxes out of the RICH now how are they going to get it out of THEIR PRIVATE SECTOR, the RICH get RICHER, and the POOR get POORER. Have a nice day