OLG Modernization of Gaming
Continues to Proceed with Close of First Two RFPQs
TORONTO, Ontario (March 7, 2013) -- Nearly one year after the
modernization of lottery and gaming in Ontario was announced, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming
Corporation (OLG) today marked the close of its Request for
Pre-Qualification (RFPQ) for the Ottawa Area and the Ontario East Gaming
Bundle.
These two RFPQs were issued along with the RFPQ for the
Ontario North Gaming Bundle on November 30, 2012, as part of OLG’s first wave of
gaming RFPQs.
As a result of an addendum issued on March 4, 2013, the RFPQ
closing date for the Ontario North Gaming Bundle has been extended to March 14,
2013.
“With the close of the RFPQs today, we’re continuing with
the modernization of lottery and gaming in Ontario,” said Rod Phillips, OLG
President and CEO. “We will now undertake our due diligence in evaluating the
RFPQ submissions.”
Where the RFPQ was based on a Gaming Bundle, interested
service providers were required to submit proposals for the entire Gaming Bundle
as set out in the RFPQ, not for individual Gaming Zones or Gaming Sites
contained within a Gaming Bundle. This means that service providers must
demonstrate their ability to assume specific day-to-day operations of multiple
facilities in a given region or geographic area of Ontario.
OLG will select service providers who are eligible to receive the Request for Proposal (RFP) document for the Ottawa Area, as well as the East and North Gaming Bundles.
As part of the RFP process, pre-qualified service providers will be able to propose the construction of a new gaming site anywhere within a Gaming Zone, where there is municipal support.
However, all successful proponents will need to work with their host municipalities on specifics about a gaming facility, including selecting a preferred location.
"Municipalities have a choice when it comes to the location of new or relocated gaming sites," said Phillips. "As part of its resolution, a municipality may indicate conditions of its approval, such as where the gaming site may or may not be located. Before any site is built or relocated, three parties will need to agree – the municipality, the service provider and OLG, on behalf of the Ontario government."
OLG has two impartial advisors providing oversight on the integrity and fairness of the procurement process.
While the new gaming model will include securing qualified service providers for the day-to-day operation of gaming, OLG will continue its role in conduct, management and oversight of lottery and gaming. OLG will also continue to help prevent and mitigate the effects of problem gambling through its Responsible Gambling program, which is recognized internationally by the World Lottery Association’s certification program, and at four gaming sites, by the Responsible Gambling Council of Canada’s RG Check program.
In the coming months, OLG will launch RFPQs for the remaining Gaming Zones – some in Gaming Bundles. All RFPQs will be available on MERXTM (www.merx.com/olg). MERXTM charges a fee to download this type of material.
On December 14, 2012, OLG also issued a RFPQ for the modernization of the province’s lottery industry. That RFPQ will close on April 4, 2013.
OLG contributes nearly $2 billion annually to the Ontario government. The vast majority of this funding is directed to hospitals and health care.
Once the modernization of lottery and gaming in Ontario is complete, OLG will have increased its net contribution to the province by $1.3 billion annually, while creating thousands of jobs and driving more than $3 billion in capital investment across Ontario.
SOURCE: OLG..
Malaysian Firm Urges PCSO to Stop
Online Lotto Operations
MANILA, Philippines (March 6, 2013) – According to a local
media report, the Philippine Charity
Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) is being urged to put an end to an online betting
operation in Luzon.
The ABS-CBN news service reports that in a statement, the
Philippine Gaming Management Corp (PGMC) legal counsel Jose Bernas said a
company named World Reliance Trading Corp. (WRTC) has been accepting bets
through text messaging. WRTC's website shows that it is "authorized PCSO
Lotto Operator"........................http://www.lotteryinsider.com/
UK Government Plans to Offer Huge
Tax Concessions to Online Gambling Companies
LONDON, U.K. (March 7, 2013) -- After imposing taxes forcing
online gambling firms overseas the UK government is now planning to lure them
back with tax breaks..............http://www.lotteryinsider.com/
House passes Lottery Scam
Bill
JAMAICA (March 7, 2013) -- The House of Representatives on
Tuesday passed the Law Reform (Fraudulent Transactions) Bill, or the Lottery
Scam Bill,..............http://www.lotteryinsider.com/
Minister Calls for Establishment
of a Lottery to Fund Sports Development
BAHAMAS (March 7, 2013) -- According to local media reports,
Sports Minister Dr. Daniel Johnson yesterday called for the establishment of a
lottery to fund sports development in the country during debate on the mid-year
budget statement in the House of Assembly,..............http://www.lotteryinsider.com/
Senate Committee Approves
Gambling Expansion Plan
SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (March 7, 2013) -- A new gambling
expansion plan that calls for five new casinos and slot machines at Chicago
airports won approval Thursday in the Illinois Senate Executive Committee,..............http://www.lotteryinsider.com
888 Holdings Recommended for
Nevada Online Poker License
LAS VEGAS, Nevada (March 6, 2013) – The state Gaming Control
Board conducted its monthly meeting today in Las Vegas.,..............http://www.lotteryinsider.com
Freedom to Dream: the
"New" Hoosier Lottery Has Arrived
"Imagine That" Ad Campaign Signals Launch of New
Brand; Campaign Begins Sunday
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (March 1, 2013) - The journey that will
lead the Hoosier Lottery to
create hundreds of millions of additional dollars for the people of Indiana is
underway.
The "new" Hoosier Lottery has arrived.
Signaled by the launch of a new advertising campaign this
weekend, the new Hoosier Lottery brand is rolling out across the state. This is
the first major public implementation of a new business plan that will transform
the Hoosier Lottery into one of the top-performing state lotteries in the U.S.
during the next five years.
The new campaign, known as "Imagine That," invited real,
everyday Hoosiers - not actors -- from around the state to share their dreams by
answering a simple question: "What would you do if you won the Hoosier
Lottery?"
After weeks of canvasing the state to gather those dreams,
the Hoosier Lottery will begin featuring many of those dreams as it rolls out
its new advertising campaign Sunday.
"Everyone has had those conversations at one time or
another, talking about what they would do if they won the lottery," said
Hoosier Lottery Executive Director Karl Browning. "We asked Hoosiers to tell
us, in their own words, and they responded en masse with a generous and caring
theme that is so representative of our citizens. Our new advertising campaign,
and new brand overall, gives people the freedom to dream and we're sharing those
dreams with Hoosiers across the state. This is now truly a brand for Hoosiers,
by Hoosiers."
Additionally, the Hoosier Lottery is introducing a new logo
and also completed a rebrand of its website, www.hoosierlottery.com, while
incorporating functional enhancements into the home page to make it more
user-friendly. More than 4,000 Hoosier Lottery retailers will also benefit from
the brand transformation, as they receive new, more effective signage and
point-of-sale materials designed to drive traffic into their locations.
"None of the dreams we've heard would be possible without
purchasing a ticket from one of our valued retailers," said the Hoosier
Lottery's Michele Argentieri. "We continue to be grateful for our retailers'
outstanding customer service, our shared goal to drive traffic into their shops
and their partnership with the Hoosier Lottery."
In order to produce the "homegrown" advertising
campaign, the Hoosier Lottery hosted five casting calls in four cities across
the state and also accepted dreams through its YouTube channel to ensure it
heard from people who were unable to attend one of the casting calls. Overall,
the Lottery heard and recorded hundreds of dreams, ranging from simple to
extraordinary, from everyday Hoosiers.
After a thorough screening of all the dreams submitted, the
Hoosier Lottery selected approximately 50 people who will be featured in various
advertising formats including TV, radio, print and outdoor.
Beginning with the campaign launch on Sunday, five specific
dreams will be highlighted in the new TV ad component of the campaign.
"Dreamers" from Evansville, Jasper, Carmel and Fort Wayne will deliver
their personal lottery dreams in a series of 15-second commercial spots that
will air around the state.
Each TV shoot was done on location in the community where the
featured "dreamer" resides. Indianapolis-based Road Pictures, working
under the direction of local ad agency Mortenson Safar Kim, handled production
for the series of commercials.
SOURCE: Hoosier Lottery media release.
Lottery Offers Chance to Play
Against Paul Pierce in Waltham
WALTHAM, Massachusetts (March 5, 2013) -- Boston Celtics
captain Paul Pierce will show six lucky fans what it’s like to face The Truth
when they get the chance to play him in a game of H-O-R-S-E as part of an
instant ticket promotion through the Lottery and the Celtics..,..............http://www.lotteryinsider.com
Betware Signs Sponsorship
Agreement with the IE Law School of Executive Education in
Madrid
Betware Sponsors the “EI Sector del Juego Program”
from the IE Law School of Executive Education
MADRID, Spain (March 5, 2013) -- Betware has signed a sponsorship
agreement with the IE Law School of Executive Education in Madrid. The program
“El Sector del Juego” will address the most important issues in the
gaming industry and will provide an in depth business knowledge for its
participants.
It is targeted towards employees of gaming companies,
lawyers, consultants, managers and entrepreneurs coming from Spain and Latin
America wishing to pursue a career in the gaming industry.
The executive program includes modules covering the entire
spectrum of the regulated gaming market from gaming regulations, marketing and
finance to strategy related topics.
Miguel Angel Abreu Ferrer, Regional Director of Betware Spain
will be among the speakers during the official opening ceremony and will also
participate in a responsible gaming panel during the program.
Being a pioneer in the gaming market, working with regulated
operators in different jurisdictions, Betware believes that sharing the specific
knowledge among the professionals within industry can help stimulate extensive
market growth and expansion.
IE Law School of Executive Education is a division of the IE
Business School and offers world class training for professionals and creates a
unique forum in the business environment.
The “El Sector del Juego” program will take place from
the 5th of March to 18th of April.
Full details about the program (in Spanish) can be found by
viewing the El Sector del Juego program brochure. http://www.betware.com/wp-content/uploads/El-Sector-del-Juego_IE_2013.pdf
SOURCE: Betware.
INTRALOT Italia Adds Virtual Games to Its Retail
Portfolio
ITALY (March 7, 2013) -- INTRALOT Italia is pleased to announce its entrance into the
Virtual Gaming market, with the introduction of its Virtual Games service,
powered by two leading virtual games providers, Kiron Interactive and Inspired
Gaming Group.
INTRALOT Italia has assigned to Vermantia Media Group the
management, operation and delivery of the service throughout the retail network
of INTRALOT Italia and its website intralot.it. With this new addition to
INTRALOT Italia’s product portfolio, players will be able to experience
exciting, new games. INTRALOT Italia retail shops are progressing even further
to become entertainment centers that offer players a complete gaming portfolio
ranging from sports betting, AWP, VLT and Virtual Games
Vermantia, as a leading service provider to the Gaming and
Sports Betting Industry, with a global portfolio of services currently being
delivered in Greece, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Poland, Russia, Peru, and Brazil,
will undertake the human voice over in the local language, the localization,
creation, and design of the service. Vermantia’ s experience in the delivery of
services worldwide will allow INTRALOT Italia to provide a fully customized
service that is tailored to the specific retail needs of the company’s network
and the local market.
INTRALOT Italia, a joint stock company, is a subsidiary of
the INTRALOT Group, a global leader in the gaming market and listed on the
Athens Stock Exchange. INTRALOT Italia was established in December 2006 and
participated in the public tender for the licensing of the retailing of public
gaming announced by AAMS. INTRALOT Italia was awarded licenses to operate fixed
odds betting on sports events in a licensed retail network and through internet,
as well as horse racing. INTRALOT Italia retail network is made up of more than
600 points of sale. With presence in all the Italian regions, its technology and
professionalism, INTRALOT Italia offers services based on efficient and secure
systems of on-line data transmission to its customers.
For more information: Ms Isabella Degani, Communications
& Media Relations Specialist Phone: +39 06 4147, email: degani@intralot.it.
SOURCE: INTRALOT Italia.
N.C.A.A. Drops Ban of Games in New Jersey
MONTCLAIR, New Jersey. (March 6, 2013) - The N.C.A.A. has
lifted a recent ban against New Jersey colleges, allowing them to host
tournament games or championships..,..............http://www.lotteryinsider.com
Leading Bookmaker Suspends
Betting on Origin Over ASADA Probe
SYDNEY, NSW, Australia (March 7, 2013) - According to local
media reports leading Australian bookmaker Betstar has suspended betting on
rugby league's showpiece event, State of Origin series..,..............http://www.lotteryinsider.com
Leagues Maintain the Integrity of
the Game is Paramount and the Basis of Disdain for Sportsbetting
Push
SACRAMENTO, California (March 6, 2013) -- There’s a belief
among the gambling community that the NFL’s disdain for sports betting is more
about money than protecting the integrity of the game..,..............http://www.lotteryinsider.com
Betting Monopoly OPAP 2012 Profit
Down 6 Pct
ATHENS, Greece (March 7, 2013) - Reuters report Greece's
betting monopoly OPAP , a flagship asset in the country's privatisation plan,
said on Thursday 2012 profit fell by 6 percent, hit by recession at home..,..............http://www.lotteryinsider.com
Fortuna FY Earnings Beat
Estimates, Considers Extra Dividend
PRAGUE, Czech Republic (March 7, 2013) -- Fortuna Entertainment Group NV
(FORTUNA) rose for a third day, with the number of shares traded almost double
the stock’s three-month average after the Czech bookmaker said it may pay an
extra dividend..,..............http://www.lotteryinsider.com
Betfair on Track to Meet FY
Forecasts
LONDON, U.K. (March 7, 2013) -- Betfair remains confident that
full-year results will be in-line with previous guidance..,..............http://www.lotteryinsider.com
