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Ontario to Focus on a Sustainable Responsible Gaming Industry

TORONTO, Ontario – (PRESS RELEASE) -- 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."

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