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OLG PR:

OLG Releases Remaining Gaming RFPQs

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) continues its modernization of the province’s lottery and gaming industry with the launch of the remaining Requests for Pre-Qualification (RFPQs) for gaming. OLG is also issuing a Request for Information (RFI) for a potential privately-funded, multi-purpose entertainment centre in Niagara Falls.

Gaming RFPQs

The RFPQs include up to 10 Gaming Zones grouped into three Gaming Bundles:

• GTA Gaming Bundle – Gaming Zones C2 (OLG Slots at Woodbine Racetrack); C3 (OLG Slots at Ajax Downs); and potentially C8 (Great Blue Heron Casino);
• Central Gaming Bundle – Gaming Zones C5 (OLG Slots at Georgian Downs); C6 (Casino Rama); and C7 (proposed new gaming site in Collingwood or Wasaga Beach); and
• West GTA Gaming Bundle – Gaming Zones C4 (OLG Slots at Mohawk Racetrack); SW1 (OLG Slots at Grand River Raceway); SW2 (OLG Casino Brantford); and SW9 (OLG Slots at Flamboro Downs).

“These Gaming Bundles represent unique opportunities for service providers to leverage the success of our existing gaming sites, with their established customer bases and experienced employees,” said Rod Phillips, President and CEO, OLG. “This will also be an opportunity for a service provider to develop a new facility in Collingwood or Wasaga Beach.”

The RFPQ process enables OLG to create a list of qualified service providers who are then eligible to receive the Request for Proposal (RFP) documents for specific Gaming Bundles. OLG has been releasing RFPQs for the modernization of gaming in stages. The release of these RFPQs follows the RFPQs for Gaming Bundles in Southwestern Ontario, Ottawa Area, Ontario East and Ontario North.

OLG has done its due diligence in reviewing the responses to gaming RFPQs that have closed and is currently considering service providers who will be eligible to receive the RFP documents. OLG will begin the RFP process for gaming in the coming months by releasing RFP documents to selected service providers.

As part of the RFP process, pre-qualified service providers will, in some cases, 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 is important to understand the complexity of the decision making about moving a site—or building a new one. Not only does there need to be demonstrated customer interest and a compelling business case that results in increased revenue for the Government of Ontario, there also needs to be a willing municipal host," said Phillips. "And where there is a slots at racetrack facility, a proposal has to make sense for the horse racing industry. Any new site or relocation of an existing site is subject to final approval from the Ontario government."

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

Service providers interested in the GTA, West GTA and Central Gaming Bundles must respond to the RFPQs by March 13, 2014.