OLG CORRECTS WINDSOR RACEWAY'S STATEMENT
May 4, 2012
Toronto – The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) is responding to correct the record regarding a Windsor Raceway news release, issued today. OLG learned today that Windsor Raceway announced it will cease operations this summer.
“I am deeply disappointed that Windsor Raceway is breaching a verbal agreement,” said Larry Flynn, Senior Vice President, Gaming for OLG. “Earlier this week, I personally participated in lengthy discussions which resulted in this agreement.”
OLG is continuing funding arrangements with every racetrack in Ontario until March 31, 2013, as long as live horse racing events continue. This arrangement provides for a 10 percent share of slot revenue to operators and a 10 percent share to the local horse association.
The decision to end operations is solely the decision of Windsor Raceway.
OLG responds below to Windsor Raceway’s claims in today’s news release:
1. Windsor Raceway statement: “Despite OLG reports, at this time no arrangement is in place to facilitate any continued horse racing operations at the Windsor Raceway and particularly not through March 31, 2013.”
Fact: In OLG’s March 12th news release announcing its modernization plan, OLG confirmed that it will continue to provide funding to all racetracks through to March 31, 2013, as long as live horse racing events continue at those sites. Communications – written, verbal and in-person - between OLG and all racetrack operators have been ongoing. Specifically, Windsor Raceway received a letter on March 14, 2012, outlining the arrangement to continue horse racing operations. In addition, Windsor Raceway received a proposed arrangement on April 12, 2012, outlining detailed payments to the racetrack as long as live horse racing events continue.
2. Windsor Raceway statement: “Without such arrangements Windsor Raceway expects all operations at Windsor Raceway will cease August 31, 2012.”
Fact: Ending horse racing operations is solely the decision of Windsor Raceway. OLG has confirmed through ongoing communications with all racetrack operators that it will continue to provide funding to all racetracks through to March 31, 2013 as long as live horse racing events continue at those sites. Specifically, Windsor Raceway received a letter on March 14, 2012, outlining the arrangement to continue horse racing operations. In addition, Windsor Raceway received a proposed arrangement on April 12, 2012, outlining detailed payments to the racetrack as long as live horse racing events continue.
3. Windsor Raceway statement: “To facilitate an arrangement beyond August 31, Windsor Raceway has advised the OLG it wishes to submit all outstanding issues, including the conditions the OLG insists upon to provide any continued funding for horse racing, to mediation but the OLG has refused.”
Fact: Windsor Raceway received a letter on March 14, 2012, outlining the arrangement to continue horse racing operations. In addition, Windsor Raceway received a proposed arrangement on April 12, 2012, outlining detailed payments to the racetrack as long as live horse racing events continue.
4. Windsor Raceway statement: “Windsor Raceway hopes the OLG will meet to meaningfully discuss all outstanding concerns in a timely manner so arrangements can be made to protect the long and distinguished Windsor Raceway horse racing history.”
Fact: OLG is always available for discussion. Talks with Windsor Raceway continued this past week.
Windsor Raceway has received more than $73 million in payments from OLG since 1998. In addition, the local horse association received more than $73 million for its share of slot revenue. The facility is currently operated by the Toldo family.
OLG is a provincial agency responsible for province-wide lottery games and gaming facilities. Since 1975, OLG lotteries, Casinos, Slots, and Resort Casinos have generated more than $34 billion for the benefit of the Province of Ontario. Gaming proceeds support Ontario's hospitals, amateur sport, recreational and cultural activities, communities, provincial priority programs such as health care and education, and local and provincial charities and non-profit organizations through the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Know your limit, play within it!
THE ONTARIO PROBLEM GAMBLING HELPLINE 1-888-230-3505
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www.OLG.ca
For more information contact:
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“I am deeply disappointed that Windsor Raceway is breaching a verbal agreement,” said Larry Flynn, Senior Vice President, Gaming for OLG. “Earlier this week, I personally participated in lengthy discussions which resulted in this agreement.”
OLG is continuing funding arrangements with every racetrack in Ontario until March 31, 2013, as long as live horse racing events continue. This arrangement provides for a 10 percent share of slot revenue to operators and a 10 percent share to the local horse association.
The decision to end operations is solely the decision of Windsor Raceway.
OLG responds below to Windsor Raceway’s claims in today’s news release:
1. Windsor Raceway statement: “Despite OLG reports, at this time no arrangement is in place to facilitate any continued horse racing operations at the Windsor Raceway and particularly not through March 31, 2013.”
Fact: In OLG’s March 12th news release announcing its modernization plan, OLG confirmed that it will continue to provide funding to all racetracks through to March 31, 2013, as long as live horse racing events continue at those sites. Communications – written, verbal and in-person - between OLG and all racetrack operators have been ongoing. Specifically, Windsor Raceway received a letter on March 14, 2012, outlining the arrangement to continue horse racing operations. In addition, Windsor Raceway received a proposed arrangement on April 12, 2012, outlining detailed payments to the racetrack as long as live horse racing events continue.
2. Windsor Raceway statement: “Without such arrangements Windsor Raceway expects all operations at Windsor Raceway will cease August 31, 2012.”
Fact: Ending horse racing operations is solely the decision of Windsor Raceway. OLG has confirmed through ongoing communications with all racetrack operators that it will continue to provide funding to all racetracks through to March 31, 2013 as long as live horse racing events continue at those sites. Specifically, Windsor Raceway received a letter on March 14, 2012, outlining the arrangement to continue horse racing operations. In addition, Windsor Raceway received a proposed arrangement on April 12, 2012, outlining detailed payments to the racetrack as long as live horse racing events continue.
3. Windsor Raceway statement: “To facilitate an arrangement beyond August 31, Windsor Raceway has advised the OLG it wishes to submit all outstanding issues, including the conditions the OLG insists upon to provide any continued funding for horse racing, to mediation but the OLG has refused.”
Fact: Windsor Raceway received a letter on March 14, 2012, outlining the arrangement to continue horse racing operations. In addition, Windsor Raceway received a proposed arrangement on April 12, 2012, outlining detailed payments to the racetrack as long as live horse racing events continue.
4. Windsor Raceway statement: “Windsor Raceway hopes the OLG will meet to meaningfully discuss all outstanding concerns in a timely manner so arrangements can be made to protect the long and distinguished Windsor Raceway horse racing history.”
Fact: OLG is always available for discussion. Talks with Windsor Raceway continued this past week.
Windsor Raceway has received more than $73 million in payments from OLG since 1998. In addition, the local horse association received more than $73 million for its share of slot revenue. The facility is currently operated by the Toldo family.
OLG is a provincial agency responsible for province-wide lottery games and gaming facilities. Since 1975, OLG lotteries, Casinos, Slots, and Resort Casinos have generated more than $34 billion for the benefit of the Province of Ontario. Gaming proceeds support Ontario's hospitals, amateur sport, recreational and cultural activities, communities, provincial priority programs such as health care and education, and local and provincial charities and non-profit organizations through the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
THE ONTARIO PROBLEM GAMBLING HELPLINE 1-888-230-3505
Disponible en français
-30-
www.OLG.ca
For more information contact:
OLG Media Line
1.888.946.6716
