NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO LOTTERY AND GAMING CORPORATION
***********************
TORONTO – Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has selected Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited (Gateway) as the service provider for the Central Gaming Bundle, following a competitive procurement process.
The Central Gaming Bundle includes OLG Slots at Georgian Downs and Casino Rama Resort. Gateway will have the opportunity to build a new gaming and entertainment facility in Wasaga Beach or Collingwood. The proposed new facility will be subject to all necessary approvals.
“Selecting Gateway is the latest step OLG is taking as we continue to bring new jobs and economic development to communities across Ontario,” said Stephen Rigby, OLG’s President and CEO. “The investments Gateway will make in the central region will enhance the gaming experience for customers and help OLG increase its contribution to the Province of Ontario.”
“We are very pleased to once again partner with OLG as the service provider in the Central Gaming Bundle. Gateway has become the standard for gaming and hospitality in Canada and the award of this bundle allows us to build on that leadership position,” said Tony Santo, Gateway’s Chief Executive Officer. “We look forward to working with our new team members at Casino Rama Resort and OLG Slots at Georgian Downs.”
To OLG, the integrity of its procurement process is of the utmost importance.
In order to ensure an open and transparent process for all proponents, OLG has engaged the services of an impartial Fairness Monitor to advise throughout the process and provide oversight on the fairness of the procurement.
While Gateway will be responsible for the day-to-day gaming operations in the bundle, OLG will continue to:
- Provide strategic oversight of the Central Gaming Bundle and Ontario gaming marketplace—including approvals related to material operational changes
- Conduct and manage gaming in the bundle
- Require compliance with applicable laws, regulations and standards
- Be the owner of key player information
- Require service providers to uphold the high standards of OLG’s Responsible Gambling program, including the self-exclusion program
- Make Municipality Contribution Agreement payments to host communities.
Gateway will be required to retain employees for a period of no less than 12 months in their current position and geographic location. Unionized employees will transfer to the service provider under the terms and conditions of their current collective agreement. Gateway will also be required to provide eligible employees with benefits and a registered pension plan.
OLG has entered into a Transition and Asset Purchase Agreement with Gateway for the Central Gaming Bundle, which sets out the customary closing conditions to be satisfied for OLG and Gateway to enter into a Casino Operating and Services Agreement (COSA).
OLG expects that the service provider will take over day-to-day operations in summer 2018.
Gateway is one of the largest and most diversified gaming and entertainment companies in Canada. Operating in British Columbia, Edmonton and Ontario, Gateway has 6,000 employees and operates 25 gaming properties with 282 tables, over 9,500 slots, 68 restaurants and bars and 272 hotel rooms. As the selected service provider in Southwestern and Northern Ontario, Gateway will undertake two new planned builds in North Bay and Kenora. Gateway is undertaking an ambitious growth strategy to dramatically improve the customer experience and attract new customers. This includes the development of proprietary casino and food and beverage brands like Match Eatery & Public House and Atlas Steak + Fish. In 2017, Gateway celebrated 25 years in the business of gaming and entertainment in Canada. Further information is available at www.gatewaycasinos.com.
OLG is the Ontario government agency that delivers gaming entertainment in a socially responsible manner. OLG conducts and manages gaming facilities, the sale of province-wide lottery games, PlayOLG Internet gaming, the delivery of bingo and other electronic gaming products at Charitable Gaming Centres and is helping to build a more sustainable horse racing industry in Ontario. Since 1975, OLG has provided nearly $47 billion to the Province and the people of Ontario. These payments to the province support the operation of hospitals, amateur sport through the Quest for Gold program, local and provincial charities and problem gambling prevention, treatment and research.
***********************
