On Thursday, March 14, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. issued a release stating that its Request for Pre-Qualification for the Ontario North Gaming Bundle has closed.

The ORC Release appears below.

OLG modernization of gaming continues to proceed with close of RFPQ

TORONTO, March 14, 2013 /CNW/ - The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) today marked the close of its Request for Pre-Qualification (RFPQ) for the Ontario North Gaming Bundle, which was issued on November 30, 2012, as part of OLG's first wave of gaming RFPQs.

On March 7, 2013, OLG announced the close of the Ottawa Area and the Ontario East Gaming Bundle RFPQs.

"We're continuing on the path to a modernized lottery and gaming system in Ontario," said Rod Phillips, OLG President and CEO. "Along with the two RFPQs that closed last week, we will now undertake our due diligence in evaluating the RFPQ submissions for northern Ontario."

This RFPQ was based on a Gaming Bundle, so 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 had to demonstrate their ability to assume specific day-to-day operations of multiple facilities.

OLG will select service providers who are eligible to receive the Request for Proposal (RFP) document for the North and East Gaming Bundles, as well as the Ottawa Area.

As part of the RFP process, pre-qualified service providers will be able to propose the construction of a new gaming site anywhere within a Gaming Zone, where there is municipal support.

However, all successful proponents will need to work with their host municipalities on specifics about a gaming facility, including selecting a preferred location. Before any site is built or relocated, three parties will need to agree — the municipality, the service provider and OLG, on behalf of the Ontario government.

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 four gaming sites, by the Responsible Gambling Council of Canada's RG Check program.

In the coming months, OLG will launch RFPQs for the remaining Gaming Zones—some in Gaming Bundles. All RFPQs will be available on MERX (merx.com/olg). MERX charges a fee to download this type of material.

On December 14, 2012, OLG also issued a RFPQ for the modernization of the province's lottery industry. That RFPQ will close on April 4, 2013.

For more details on Gaming Zones/Bundles, visit: http://www.olg.ca/about/modernizing_lottery_and_gaming_project_status.jsp.