Canada
Statement From The Chair Ontario Lottery And Gaming Corporation
“President and CEO to Leave OLG after Five Years”
This is to advise that Stephen Rigby has agreed with the Board of Directors that he will leave the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) after five years at the helm. Stephen will remain at OLG until the Summer when a new CEO is confirmed, working with new leadership to ensure a smooth transition.
The Board of Directors thanks Stephen for his outstanding service as the President and Chief Executive Officer of OLG. During that time, OLG has delivered unprecedented value to the Province. OLG’s returns have grown from $1.7 billion in 2015 to nearly $2.5 billion and are on track to attain over $3.0 billion by 2022-23. This growth reflects a healthy and thriving land-based gaming, lottery and digital business.
In land-based gaming, we implemented one of the largest public-private partnership projects in Canada. Through an open, fair and transparent procurement, four operators have been selected to manage the day-to-day operations of casinos, expend capital, and invest in communities throughout Ontario. Since 2015, four new facilities have opened in Belleville, Peterborough, Chatham, and Sarnia, with construction well underway for new casinos in Pickering and North Bay, as well as the Niagara Falls Entertainment Centre. So far, $600 million has been invested by the private sector in new capital, creating 500 new gaming jobs. By 2023, these investments will grow to $4 billion, creating thousands of new jobs across Ontario.
OLG’s growing returns also reflect a thriving lottery business, with nearly 10,000 points of sale across Ontario lottery retail in support of small business and larger outlets, featuring popular products such as LOTTO MAX. Lottery sales have hit an unprecedented $4 billion under Stephen’s leadership. OLG is now deploying new lottery terminals in each of these locations, marrying state-of-the-art integrity with customer service.
OLG is also making investments in new digital technologies that will transform its online presence, building on PlayOLG which has doubled its customer base in the last 18 months.
While generating more money for the Province to support critical public services, we’ve also served the broader public interest. We invested wisely in our responsible gambling programs which earned global recognition through the World Lottery Association.
At the same time, we’ve put in place historic agreements which fund 1,800 charities province wide, and put horse racing on the path of sustainability, protecting jobs in communities big and small.
As Chair of the Board of Directors, you have my assurance that OLG’s commitment to its business and stakeholder partnerships, and dedication to world-class gaming entertainment is unwavering, today and in the future.
As Chair of the Board, I have launched a process to identify a successor to the outgoing President and CEO. We thank Stephen Rigby for his outstanding tenure which positions OLG for continued success going forward.
Peter M. Deeb
Chair, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation
OLG is a crown agency that develops world-class gaming entertainment for the Province of Ontario. Acting in a socially responsible way, OLG conducts and manages land-based gaming facilities; the sale of province-wide lottery games; PlayOLG Internet gaming; and the delivery of bingo and other electronic gaming products at Charitable Gaming Centres. OLG is also helping to build a more sustainable horse racing industry in Ontario. Since 1975, OLG has provided more than $52 billion to the people and Province of Ontario to support key government priorities like health care; the treatment and prevention of problem gambling; and support for amateur athletes. Each year, proceeds from OLG’s operations also support host communities, Ontario First Nations, lottery retailers and local charities across the province.
Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app
Bally’s Interactive Launches the New Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino App in Ontario
Bally’s Interactive, the digital and sports betting division of Bally’s Corporation, has launched the all-new Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app in Ontario, Canada. This latest release marks another significant milestone for the company, following the recent app update in New Jersey and a series of successful app launches in the past year, including the introduction of Bally Bet Sportsbook across multiple states and Bally Casino in Rhode Island.
The updated Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app represents a major step forward, as it combines the functionalities of the existing Bally Casino app and Bally Bet Sportsbook app into one comprehensive platform. Powered by White Hat Gaming, this new app allows players residing in or traveling to Ontario to conveniently place wagers on both sports and casino games using a single app, account, and universal wallet.
“We are thrilled to introduce the new Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app, marking a significant milestone for Bally’s. This integrated platform merges the features of our previous apps, providing players in Ontario with a seamless experience for both sports and casino betting. Our commitment to enhancing the player experience remains at the forefront as we strive to personalize the enjoyment of playing Bally Bet,” said Robeson Reeves, CEO of Bally’s Corporation.
BCLC reminds adults to gift responsibly this holiday season
With the holiday season in full swing, BCLC is reminding British Columbians to gift responsibly and scratch lottery products from their shopping lists for kids.
“Scratch & Win tickets can make great stocking stuffers for the adults in your life, but they’re not for kids,” said Ryan McCarthy, BCLC’s Director of Player Health. “The research shows that children who have early encounters with gambling are four times more likely to develop riskier gambling behaviour as they grow up. While people are out shopping for those last-minute gifts, BCLC wants adults to be aware of the potential risks associated with gifting lottery products to children and to consider safer alternatives.”
While Scratch & Win tickets are among the most common ways kids can be introduced to gambling, children are increasingly exposed to various online forms, such as gambling streams.
“With the convergence of gaming and gambling, youth are becoming more exposed to gambling content in online spaces like streaming sites, where creators are able to live-stream their own gambling, usually while playing online slots and instant games,” said Dr. Luke Clark, Director for Gambling Research at UBC. “Our research at the UBC Centre for Gambling shows that a higher frequency of watching online gambling streams is associated with a more positive attitude towards gambling and a high intention to gamble in the future.”
In B.C., it is illegal to sell lottery products to anyone under the age of 19 and BCLC encourages adults to have conversations with the kids in their lives about the risks associated with gambling.
“Open and honest conversations are crucial when it comes to navigating childhood exposure to gambling,” said McCarthy, who shared the following tips to adults:
- Monitor for gambling-related lifestyle changes. For example, developing a positive attitude towards gambling or a preoccupation with video games or streaming sites.
- Be a positive role model. Exhibit safer gambling behaviour and talk about the risks.
- Limit exposure. Monitor kids’ online activities and discourage engagement with gambling content. Explain how gambling is based on chance.
Jackpot Digital Inc., a leading provider of innovative dealerless electronic poker gaming solutions, has announced that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has approved the Company to be licensed as a registered Gaming Related-Supplier (the “Supplier License”) under the Gaming Control Act in the Province of Ontario.
This significant achievement allows Jackpot Digital to enter one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing regulated gaming markets in North America. The Supplier License authorizes Jackpot Digital to supply its electronic table games to Ontario’s gaming venues, including casinos and other regulated gaming facilities.
Jackpot Digital’s flagship product, the Jackpot Blitz electronic table game system, offers a modern, dealerless, player-friendly solution that integrates traditional multiplayer poker games with cutting-edge digital technology. The Supplier License will enable the Company to offer its innovative gaming solutions to operators throughout Ontario, driving new revenue opportunities and enhancing player experiences.
“Receiving AGCO’s approval is a major milestone. This approval provides us with the opportunity to offer our top-tier electronic gaming systems to operators throughout all of Ontario, positioning us for further growth in one of the world’s most robust gaming markets. We are excited to bring our innovative products to Ontario’s gaming community and continue our commitment to providing exciting, technology-driven entertainment experiences,” said Jake Kalpakian, CEO of Jackpot Digital.
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