OLG Begins Privatization Bidding Process
The state owned Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has moved one step closer to its final objective of privatizing the corporation, but is inviting interested bidders for an initial assessment.
The Request for Pre Qualification was put out last week by the Canadian OLG and calls for suitable bidders to show their experience in operating lotteries. They have been asked to emphasize past success in developing customer driven growth strategies, and the OLG has stressed that successful bidders will be able to "lead the transition of customers, retailers, employees and technology to a new operating model."
Other requirements include having access to tools and technology which will help the group operate a vast and successful lottery enterprise.
Once the lottery has identified qualified service providers from the first round of submitted bids, they will be invited to submit a Request for Proposal, said the President and Chief Executive Officer of Ontario Lottery and Gaming, Rod Philips.
OLG Aims to Maximize Lottery Growth
Philips said in a statement issued this week about the OLG privatization bidding process that "the service provider we choose will be responsible for recommending strategies to maximize the growth and success of the lottery business, developing products and marketing plans, operations process and cost optimization."
He said that the service provider will serve as a single point of contact for the OLG by being responsible for everything that subcontractors do and ensuring that they deliver on the OLG's modernization requirements.
"In the future, the OLG will continue its role in the conduct, management and oversight of lottery," said the CEO.
The privatization process will be overseen by two independent advisors who will ensure that the highest standards of fairness and integrity are maintained at all times.
Over 30 submissions have been received by the OLG from its initial Request for Information stage of the process.
Lotto Firm Very Pleased with Feedback
The OLG has expressed its satisfaction with the quality of potential bidders so far. The media relations officer for the lottery group, Tony Bitonti said: "There are a smaller pool of providers to draw from here than from the casino sector, but I can tell you that we're very happy with the feedback we received from organizations around the world."
Philips added that the OLG is pleased with the current level of interest. "It is clear that there is a lot of interest in the opportunities Ontario has to offer when it comes to lottery," he said.
