History - 2000 to present

March 2007

OLG launches the Electronic Age Verification program to on-line lottery retailers. This program enables retailers to electronically verify a customer's age by swiping an Ontario Driver's Licence.

OLG announces the departure of its CEO, Duncan Brown.

Ombudsman of Ontario releases report on review of lottery prize integrity. OLG pledges to fully implement recommendations.

OLG's INSTANT category reaches record setting sales of $708.3 million.

February 2007

The Minister of Public Infrastructure and Renewal, David Caplan, announces the expansion of eBINGO into new pilot markets, such as Windsor, that will help sustain industry and the charities it supports.

December 2006

Casino Windsor announces rebranding to Caesars Windsor in early 2008- the first casino outside of the U.S. to adopt the World Class Caesars brand.

November 2006

OLG implements 7-Point Trust and Security Action Plan, a comprehensive package of new and expanded lottery security measures that vows to maintain and reinforce the trust of every lottery player in the province.

OLG hosts the 2006 David Foster and Friends Charity Gala at Niagara Fallsview Resort Casino raising $3.3 million in support of the David Foster Foundation, an organization that provides financial and emotional support to families with children in need of life-saving transplants.

October 2006

OLG announces the development of its slot facility at Quinte - the eighteenth Ontario slots facility at the new Quinte horse racing track in Belleville. OLG will develop, own and operate a 200-machine slot gaming floor, plus a 108-seat restaurant, at the new track facility.

Ombudsman of Ontario announces review of OLG.

OLG welcomes Ombudsman's review of lottery security measures.

September 2006

Casino Windsor opens "Legends" Sports Lounge offering casino-based sports wagering in a new-state-of the-art sports lounge.

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation introduces a new brand name - OLG- a new brand promise to create excitement and possibility for customers within a safe and responsible gaming environment.

OLG announces a minimum ten-year instant ticket printing contract with Pollard Banknote that maximizes economic benefits for Ontario and includes the establishment of a ticket-finishing plant in Sault Ste. Marie.

August 2006

OLG launches QUEST FOR GOLD 2, the second edition of the premium $20 INSTANT lottery ticket with proceeds dedicated to funding Ontario amateur athletes.

LOTTO 6/49 reaches 2nd largest jackpot in Canadian lottery history at $43.2 million. The jackpot was shared among four winners - three from Ontario and one from Loto-Quebec.

June 2006

OLG opens the new Prize Centre at a new street-front location with state-of-the-art technology creating a more media and customer-focused environment.

OLG launches a new $20 national lottery ticket, GRAND PRIX CASINO, offering $35 million in total prizing including 20 top prizes of $500,000.

Province of Ontario appoints Mr. Michael Gough as chair of OLG.

March 2006

Slots at Ajax Downs opens, the 17th slots-at-racetrack facility.

OLG contributes $750,000 to Sault Area Hospital campaign.

February 2006

OLGC launches New PICK 4 lottery offering a chance to win a $5,000 top prize every day. A third national INSTANT game, SPECIAL 8, is launched with over $45 million in prizes available.

OLGC announces it will present David Foster and Friends, a star-studded charity gala, at Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort on Saturday, November 25, 2006. This is the first time OLGC has partnered with a charitable foundation to run this kind of gala event. All proceeds from the event will benefit the David Foster Foundation.

January 2006

OLGC introduces QUEST FOR GOLD, a new INSTANT lottery ticket with ten top prizes of $1 million. Proceeds will provide funding support for Ontario amateur performance athletes, related high performance programs and services, and ACTIVE 2010, Ontario's sport and physical fitness strategy.

November 2005

OLGC launches two pilot Responsible Gaming Information Centres (RGICs) at Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Windsor to provide an on-site source of information for customers and staff about safe gambling practices, and assist customers that ask for help by acting as a bridge to professional treatment options.

October 2005

OLGC recognized for two awards at the Public Sector Quality Fair (PSQF), receiving a Bronze for its successful Corporate Security and Surveillance Emergency Medical Response Defibrillation Program while the AMBER Alert took home a Gold Award.

LOTTO 6/49 reaches record $54 million jackpot following a series of big bonus jackpots that started at $20 million.

OLGC's Procurement Department is one of two Canadian organizations to receive the National Purchasing Institute's prestigious "Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award".

September 2005

E-Bingo Pilot opens in Barrie. Players now have the option of playing games through computer terminals and/or hand-held devices as a compliment to playing traditional paper bingo cards. This is the first of five Ontario bingo sites selected for the pilot that also include Kingston, Peterborough, Sudbury and Toronto.

OLGC's partnership in Ontario's AMBER Alert program wins the Diamond Award at Showcase Ontario 2005, a conference and exhibition of government programs that use innovative technology.

Casino Niagara opens "The Sports Section", a hub for Sports Lottery and off-track wagering occupying 2000 square feet of the casino.

Responsible Gaming Training for all OLGC employees begins.

May 2005

OLGC launches PAYDAY, a new $2 weekly lottery draw game offering a top prize of $1,000 a week for life.

April 2005

Province of Ontario announces OLGC's partnership with the AMBER Alert child find abduction warning system. OLGC is the first Canadian province to use its network of 9,000 lottery terminals to support the AMBER Alert in Ontario.

OLGC partners with the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association and the Ontario Harness Horse Association to introduce a new scratch and win ticket, DAILY DOUBLE.

March 2005

OLGC formally introduces the Responsible Gaming Code of Conduct, an action plan that demonstrates OLGC's commitment to reduce the risk of problem gambling in Ontario.

February 2005

Province of Ontario announces $400 million investment to enhance Casino Windsor. The investment includes a new hotel, entertainment complex and conference centre, and upgrades to Casino Windsor.

A new national INSTANT game, SPECIAL 7, launches and is only the second national INSTANT game ever to be released.

January 2005

Province of Ontario announces a new strategic direction for OLGC and the future of gaming in Ontario with emphasis on social responsibility and maximizing benefits to the people of Ontario.

October 2004

OLGC introduces changes to ENCORE, its Ontario-only game played in conjunction with other on-line lotteries (except Sports), with top prize of $1 million and a new prize category.

September 2004

OLGC introduces PICKS, PROPS and POOLS, new ways to play Ontario's sport wagering game PRO*PICKS.

August 2004

Largest-ever LOTTO 6/49 jackpot of $29.14 million won in Ontario.

June 2004

Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort, a $1 billion entertainment complex, opens to the public.

OLGC's Ex-M Lottery Terminal Program receives prestigious 2004 Canadian Project Excellence Award (CPEX) for Best Practices in project management.

May 2004

LOTTO 6/49 is redesigned to offer bigger jackpots more often.

February 2004

Province of Ontario announces appointment of Mr. Timothy Reid as Chair, and Mr. Duncan Brown as CEO of OLGC.

December 2003

Slots at Grand River Raceway opens.

August 2003

Province of Ontario announces appointment of Mr. Stanley Sadinsky as Chair of OLGC.

Launch of new responsible gaming awareness message "Know your limit, play within it!"

Name of the new Niagara Falls casino announced - Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort.

July 2003

Mega Bucks Wide Area Progressive Slot machines are introduced to OLGC's Charity Casinos.

November 2002

LOTTO 6/49 celebrates its 20th Anniversary with a bonus $6.49 million draw at a Canadian Football Grey Cup game.

September 2002

Grand opening of Casino Rama Resort Hotel.

June 2002

Thousand Islands Charity Casino opens.

LOTTO 6/49 celebrates 20th anniversary.

November 2001

Slots at Georgian Downs Raceway opens.

October 2001

Construction on permanent Casino Niagara begins.

September 2001

ONTARIO INSTANT MILLIONS celebrates its 10th Anniversary with a Bonus Edition.

August 2001

Design plans are unveiled and construction begins on the Thousand Islands Charity Casino.

July 2001

Casino Rama entertainment centre opens.

June 2001

Slots at Woodstock Raceway opens.

May 2001

Site preparations for the future Niagara Falls permanent casino complex begin.

ENCORE becomes a nightly lottery game available with all OLGC on-line games (excluding Sports Lotteries), and allows for purchases of up to 10 ENCORE selections for any one draw. The advance play feature allows purchases of up to 10 draws in advance for all OLGC on-line games (excluding Sports Lotteries).

April 2001

Slots at Dresden Raceway opens.

March 2001

OLGC announces that a charity casino will be located in eastern Ontario on a parcel of land straddling the two communities of Leeds and Thousand Islands and Gananoque.

February 2001

Slots at Hanover Raceway opens.

January 2001

Slots at Windsor Raceway, the first slots-at-racetracks facility to open, receives a $12 million facelift bringing it to the same standard as other slot facilities in the province.

October 2000

Slots at Flamboro Downs opens.

August 2000

Slots at Clinton Raceway opens.

Thunder Bay Charity Casino opens.

June 2000

The Government of Ontario announces a three-year pause in the expansion of new charity casinos, new commercial casinos and slot facilities at racetracks. It will, however, honour its commitments to establish slot facilities that are currently under development at six racetracks. The Government also accepts OLGC's recommendation for a single charity casino in eastern Ontario, pending a positive referendum result from a host community. In 2003, the Ontario Government announces a 12-month extension of its moratorium on introducing gaming to new host communities.

SUPERSTAR BINGO awards $835,503.76, the largest bingo prize in Canadian history.

Construction begins for the Casino Rama Resort Hotel and entertainment centre development - a $225 million project that includes a 300-room, four-star, all-suites hotel and entertainment centre.

May 2000

The slot facility at Great Blue Heron Charity Casino, an aboriginal charity casino, opens.

April 2000

The Government of Ontario merges the mandates and operations of the Ontario Lottery Corporation (OLC) and the Ontario Casino Corporation (OCC) to form the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLGC).

OLGC introduces WINNER TAKE ALL, a new daily on-line lottery that guarantees a jackpot winner every night.

Point Edward Charity Casino opens.

March 2000

Slots at Woodbine Racetrack opens.

February 2000

Slots at Rideau Carleton Raceway opens.

January 2000

OLC introduces CASH FOR LIFE, the first lottery in Canada to offer a top prize in the form of annuity. The new CASH FOR LIFE lottery game gives players a chance to win $1,000 a week.