OLG RETAINS THE HONOURABLE COULTER A. OSBORNE, Q.C., AS INDEPENDENT FAIRNESS ADVISOR FOR THE MODERNIZATION PLAN

TORONTO – The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) is retaining the services of the Honourable Coulter A. Osborne, Q.C., former Associate Chief Justice of Ontario, and former Integrity Commissioner of the Province of Ontario, to serve as Independent Fairness Advisor for the Modernization of Lottery and Gaming plan, OLG announced today.

“OLG is honoured to have the services and sage counsel of Mr. Osborne,” said Rod Phillips, OLG’s President and CEO. “In the course of his career as a jurist, arbitrator and mediator, Mr. Osborne, has demonstrated his ability to act as a neutral advisor for complex and evolving issues.”

As the Independent Fairness Advisor, Mr. Osborne will be charged with overseeing and evaluating the overall fairness of the process through which OLG’s Modernization plan for Lottery and Gaming in Ontario will be implemented. Mr. Osborne will report directly to the Board of OLG.

On March 12, 2012, OLG Chair Paul Godfrey and Minister of Finance Dwight Duncan announced the Modernization of Lottery and Gaming in Ontario. On May 17, 2012, OLG released the Request for Information (RFI) for Gaming; on June 7, 2012, OLG released the Request for Information for Lottery. After the RFIs close, OLG will begin to determine how it will engage regulated private-sector providers.

Once the requirements are determined, OLG may issue a Request for Pre-Qualifications (RFPQ), which would ask vendors interested in the Request for Proposals (RFP) to submit evidence they are qualified and would be compliant with OLG and Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario requirements. Following the RFPQ process, OLG may begin the RFP process as early as fall 2012.

“The Modernization of OLG rates as one of the largest and most complex projects of its kind in Canada,” said Mr. Phillips. “Ontarians can be reassured that the Modernization process will be open, fair, competitive and transparent”.

While the new lottery and gaming model will include the expansion of regulated private sector delivery in the province, OLG will retain complete oversight of the sector, including responsible gaming initiatives.

OLG Background documents on OLG’s Modernization Procurement Process, OLG Gaming Zones and Gaming Zone Maps are also posted on www.OLG.ca.

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.