FAQ
- Does OLG run all the casinos and slot facilities in Ontario?
- What are the differences between "Resort Casinos," "OLG Casinos" and "OLG Slots"?
- Why does OLG have slot facilities at horse racing tracks?
- How much money do OLG gaming sites generate and how is that money used?
- What is OLG doing about problem gambling?
- How old must a person be to visit a gaming site?
- Is Ontario planning to have more casinos in the future?
- Is the Great Blue Heron casino an OLG gaming site?
- Does OLG regulate or license charity gaming such as raffles? Can charities apply for grants funded with gaming proceeds?
1. Does OLG run all the casinos and slot facilities in Ontario?
OLG is responsible for all provincially-owned casinos, slots facilities and lotteries in Ontario. OLG directly operates OLG casinos and slot facilities, and contracts private operating companies to run the large casino resorts on a daily basis.
Learn More: About OLG
2. What are the differences between “Resort Casinos,” “OLG Casinos” and “OLG Slots”?
Resort Casinos in Windsor, Niagara Falls and Rama are large facilities that offer more gaming options, higher wagering limits, and a wide range of amenities such as hotels, entertainment venues and meeting/convention areas.
OLG Casinos also offer great gaming, food and beverage services and entertainment. OLG Slots at horse racing tracks offer slot machine gaming, food and beverage services and entertainment.
For more information: Resort Casinos; OLG Casinos; OLG Slots
3. Why does OLG have slot facilities at horse racing tracks?
The Province of Ontario directed OLG to establish slots machine gaming sites at horse racing tracks to provide economic support for the horse racing industry and its thousands of jobs that are a vital component within Ontario’s agricultural sector.
The first slot facility opened in Windsor in late 1998. OLG currently operates 17 slot facilities at racetracks that to date have generated more than $1.7 billion for horse racing, shared equally between the tracks and the participating horse people.
4. How much money do OLG gaming sites generate and how is that money used?
OLG gaming sites generate a wide range of economic benefits. The provincial government uses gaming revenues to support hospitals, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, problem gambling strategies and other government priorities including health care and education.
In addition, shares of gaming revenues are provided to the horse racing industry, municipalities where gaming sites are located, and Ontario First Nations.
Learn More: Where the Money Goes
5. What is OLG doing about problem gambling?
OLG is strongly committed to upholding the public’s best interest by delivering its products and services in a socially responsible manner. On March 31, 2005, the Corporation launched its Responsible Gaming Code of Conduct, a commitment to reduce the risk of problem gambling in Ontario.
Through a series of initiatives, OLG is strengthening its corporate commitment, enhancing customer information and education programs and developing programs and polices that improve the gaming environment.
Learn More: Responsible Gaming; OLG Responsible Gaming Code of Conduct
6. How old must a person be to visit a gaming site?
Strict age controls are a key component of our commitment to social responsibility. A person must be at least 19 years of age to enter a gaming site, the same minimum age as required for the serving of alcohol.
For more information: OLG Responsible Gaming Code of Conduct
7. Is Ontario planning to have more casinos in the future?
In January 2005 the Province of Ontario announced that there will not be any new gaming sites as part of its comprehensive gaming strategy.
That announcement allowed for the completion of two slot facilities at horse racing tracks that were already in the planning stages, including OLG Slots in Ajax that opened in March 2006, and a facility at the Quinte race track which is currently in development.
8. Is the Great Blue Heron casino an OLG gaming site?
Great Blue Heron is an Aboriginal charity casino operating under the authority of a charitable gaming agreement between the Province and the Mississauga of Scugog Island First Nation.
The charity casino is operated on a daily basis by Great Blue Heron Gaming Company while OLG owns and maintains authority of the Great Blue Heron Charity Casino Slots Facility only, which is located within the casino.
9. Does OLG regulate or license charity gaming such as raffles? Can charities apply for grants funded with gaming proceeds?
OLG conducts and manages province-wide lotteries and casino-style gaming on behalf of the province of Ontario. While OLG proceeds support charities through the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the regulation and licensing of charity gaming is a responsibility of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
For more information: www.agco.on.ca; www.trilliumfoundation.org.
