On Wednesday, May 29, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. announced details for its RFPQ for southwestern Ontario.

In its announcement, the OLG stated that it has grouped some of the 29 gaming zones OLG identified last summer in 'gaming bundles.'

The release states that each bundle representing a separate geographic region, therefore the OLG will be able to more effectively manage the gaming market in the province, while providing better economies of scale for service providers.

“The RFPQ we’re issuing today will allow us to pre-qualify service providers for specific day-to-day operations of gaming sites in six Gaming Zones in Southwestern Ontario,” said OLG President and CEO Rod Phillips. “It represents another step forward in the modernization of gaming in Ontario.”

Interested service providers must respond to the RFPQ by August 8.

The contents of the OLG release appear below, followed by a map of 'Gaming Bundle 4.'

Gaming Bundle 4 includes a total of six gaming zones (Zone 3 through Zone 8) which feature Casino Point Edward, Clinton Raceway, Dresden Raceway, Hanover Raceway, the Western Fair District and Woodstock Raceway.

OLG Modernization Of Gaming Continues To Proceed With RFPQ For Southwest Ontario

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) continues its modernization of the province’s lottery and gaming industry with the launch of the Request for Pre-Qualification (RFPQ) for the Southwest Gaming Bundle.

“The RFPQ we’re issuing today will allow us to pre-qualify service providers for specific day-to-day operations of gaming sites in six Gaming Zones in Southwestern Ontario,” said Rod Phillips, OLG President and CEO. “It represents another step forward in the modernization of gaming in Ontario.”

Interested service providers are required to submit proposals for the entire Southwest Gaming Bundle as set out in the RFPQ. This means that service providers are being asked to demonstrate their ability to operate all six facilities in the Southwest Gaming Bundle, not for individual Gaming Zones or gaming sites contained within the bundle.

Service providers must also provide information on their financial and technical attributes and capabilities, including proof of successful experience with similar projects. In addition, service providers must also provide information on any business or other relationships that they have had with First Nations and First Nations communities.

They must also have submitted an application for registration with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), the regulator of lottery and gaming in Ontario. The RFPQ process will allow OLG to create a list of service providers who will then be eligible to receive the Request for Proposal (RFP) document for the Southwest Gaming Bundle. As part of the RFP process, pre-qualified service providers will be able to propose the construction of a new gaming site anywhere within an OLG-defined geographic Gaming Zone, where there is municipal support.

“It’s important to remember that before a site is built or relocated, the host municipality, the private sector operator, OLG and the Ontario government need to be in agreement,” said Phillips. “As part of this procurement process, OLG will ensure that potential operators understand the wishes of the host municipality.”

OLG is releasing RFPQs for the modernization of gaming in stages, and the Southwest Gaming Bundle is the fourth RFPQ issued for gaming.

OLG issued its first three RFPQs for nine gaming sites on November 30, 2012—one each for the Ottawa Area, Ontario East and Ontario North—all of which closed in March 2013. OLG is now evaluating submissions for these RFPQs to select service providers who are eligible to receive the RFP document.

By grouping some of the 29 Gaming Zones OLG identified last summer in Gaming Bundles—each representing a separate geographic region—OLG will be able to more effectively manage the gaming market in Ontario, while providing better economies of scale for service providers.

OLG has engaged an impartial Fairness Monitor and an Independent Fairness Advisor to provide oversight on the integrity and fairness of the procurement process.

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.

“As part of our modernization, OLG will work with the government to ensure that horse racing will be integrated with the provincial gaming strategy to ensure future revenue streams for the industry,” said Phillips.

While the new gaming model includes 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 in Ontario.

OLG will continue to work within the Province’s overall problem gambling strategy to contribute to the prevention and mitigation of problem gambling through its Responsible Gambling program, which is recognized internationally by the World Lottery Association’s certification program. OLG will also require the service provider to follow the Responsible Gambling Standards that OLG has developed.

Interested service providers must respond to the RFPQ by August 8, 2013.

OLG intends to issue separate RFPQs for the remaining Gaming Zones, many in Gaming Bundles, over the next several months. Details pertaining to upcoming RFPQs, including the composition of additional Gaming Bundles are still being finalized.

All RFPQs will be available on MERX TM (merx.com/olg). MERX TM charges a small fee to download this type of material.

The following are also available in the media section at olg.ca:

• OLG backgrounder that provides more details regarding the Southwest Gaming Bundle and OLG’s Procurement Process
• OLG Map of Southwest Gaming Bundle
• Summary of RFPQ for Southwest Gaming Bundle