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Item:	----------------------------------------------------------- New Ontario Gaming Strategy to Focus On A Sustainable Responsible Industry OLGC January 20, 2005 New Ontario Gaming Strategy to Focus On A Sustainable Responsible Industry Toronto, 01/20/2005 The Ontario government today announced its gaming strategy, which includes no additional casinos, an increased focus on social responsibility and a commitment to ensuring the competitiveness of Ontario's gaming industry. "Our plan puts social responsibility front and centre in the management of gaming in Ontario," said Economic Development and Trade Minister Joseph Cordiano. "We are building a responsible, sustainable plan that also safeguards jobs and public investments in Ontario's gaming assets." The government today announced that there will be: No additional commercial or charity casinos. No additional racetrack slot facilities, beyond Picov Downs and Quinte Exhibition and Raceway. No video lottery terminals (VLTs) in neighbourhood bars and restaurants. No slot machines in bingo halls. No provincial involvement in Internet gaming. In support of its focus on social responsibility, the government dedicates two per cent of gross slot machine revenue from charity casinos and racetrack slot facilities -- $36 million in 2004-05 -- to the problem gaming strategy, already one of the best funded in North America. The government has also asked Stanley Sadinsky to make recommendations to help guide further enhancements to the problem gaming strategy. Mr. Sadinsky will report back in the spring. In addition, the government will: Establish new customer service centres staffed by problem gaming counsellors in commercial casinos. Invest $4 million for problem gaming public awareness campaigns in the next two years. Develop education and training programs for retailers and employees in the socially responsible delivery of services. In support of the industry, Minister Cordiano has also instructed the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation to act on the following measures: Enhance competitiveness of existing gaming facilities. Upgrade existing sites to respond to increasing competition. Exploration of options for the expansion of non-gaming amenities at Casino Windsor. Launching an e-bingo pilot project to revitalize the charity bingo industry, which supports thousands of grassroots not-for-profit organizations. More than 20,000 jobs in Ontario are directly related to gaming, with thousands more spin-off jobs in the tourism and hospitality sectors. The industry also generates more than $2 billion annually for provincial priorities such as healthcare and education. "This industry experienced explosive growth in the last ten years," said Cordiano. "Our plan will not only keep the industry competitive, but also provide gaming in a socially responsible manner." For more information: Declan Doyle Minister's Office 416-325-8779 Neil Trotter Communications Branch 416-325-6682 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Backgrounder Ontario's Gaming Industry Strategy for Ontario's gaming industry In February 2004, the McGuinty government asked the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLGC) to conduct a comprehensive market assessment of Ontario's gaming industry to help the government develop a long-term business plan for the gaming industry. Ontario's gaming strategy builds on that assessment, which was released today. Historical background The province opened its first casino in Windsor in May 1994. The next decade saw rapid growth, with additional casinos, charity casinos and an initiative to introduce slot machine facilities at Ontario's 18 licensed horse racing tracks. More than 20,000 jobs in Ontario are directly related to gaming, with thousands more spin-off jobs in the tourism and hospitality sectors. About the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation The OLGC, an arms-length government agency, is mandated to deliver socially responsible gaming entertainment and economic benefits for the people of Ontario. The OLGC was created in 2000 by merging the Ontario Casino Corporation (established in 1994) and the Ontario Lottery Corporation (established in 1975). The OLGC reports to the Minister of Economic Development and Trade. OLGC operations Lotteries: Oversees 12 provincial games and two national games sold through more than 10,000 independent retails outlets. Four commercial casinos: Casino Windsor, Casino Rama, Casino Niagara and Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort. Six charity and aboriginal casinos: Sault Ste Marie, Thunder Bay, Point Edward, Brantford, Thousand Islands, Great Blue Heron. Sixteen slot facilities at racetracks: Windsor, Hiawatha, Mohawk, Fort Erie, Western Fair, Kawartha, Sudbury, Rideau Carleton, Woodbine, Clinton, Flamboro, Hanover, Dresden, Woodstock, Georgian, Grand River (also, two previous legal commitments are in process: Picov and Belleville-Quinte). Gaming industry revenues In 2003-04, the OLGC generated net revenue to government of $2.1 billion, allocated as follows: $1.5 billion to the operation of hospitals. Approximately $480 million to provincial priorities like healthcare and education. $100 million to the Ontario Trillium Foundation supporting not-for-profit organizations in the arts, culture, sports and recreation and social services. $36 million to support Ontario?s problem gambling strategy. Problem gambling strategy For 2004-05, the government has allocated $36 million to Ontario's problem gambling strategy -- a problem gambling strategy that is among the best funded in North America. The strategy is delivered by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) with programs focusing on treatment, research, prevention and public awareness of problem gambling, including: Funding of the 24-hour, confidential Ontario Problem Gambling Help-Line. Funding to 47 problem gambling treatment agencies. Funding to the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC). Funding to eight aboriginal/first nations groups for prevention/awareness initiatives. Partnering with the YMCA on prevention programs aimed at youth. Funding to the Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre (OPGRC). The government has asked former OLGC chair Stanley Sadinsky to make recommendations to help guide enhancements to the problem gaming strategy. Mr. Sadinsky will report back in the spring. In addition, the OLGC maintains guidelines for gaming marketing and advertising, and operates a self-exclusion program for problem gamblers who ask to have themselves barred from gaming facilities.

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