OLG Moves Closer to Picking Private Company
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp issued requests for proposals (RFP) early this week as is moves closer to choosing a private company to run its day to operations.
Partnering with a private company will hopefully generate another $1 billion for the province, according to the Canada lottery corporation.
OLG wants the private company to help modernize its lottery brand, including the updating of technology used to sell lottery tickets.
The corporation wants to see the expansion of sales of tickets beyond the regular grocery and convenience stores.
A spokesman for OLG, Tony Bitoni said that the corporation was "also looking at multi land channels."
"So instead of waiting for one cashier that has a lottery terminal, why not have it on PIN pads like debit machines?" he asked rhetorically.
Big Bidders for OLG Business
A number of big names are expected to bid for the $3.3 billion a year lottery business as the process goes into its second phase.
In 2012, the OLG announced that it would be modernizing its platform and would seek a private company to help it through the process, in return for a slice of the profits.
A number of companies have already bid, although the OLG would not identify any of the pre-qualified bidders.
Bitoni said: "I don't even know who's on the shortlist".
Nevertheless, it is believed that Bell and Rogers will bid on the business.
Bell did not reply to queries regarding its possible bid, nor did Rogers, according to Toronto's CTV News.
Online Lottery in Fall
According to CTV, OLG will roll out i-gaming in the fall, allowing players to buy Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max tickets online.
The OLG will also expect the successful bidder to develop an app which will allow the purchase of lottery tickets via mobile devices as well.
"If you have the technology, if you have the wherewithal, come do it for us and we'll take a portion of the revenue and you'll get a cut of it, and we'll be able to give the province more money after all this is said and done," invited Binoti.
The contract includes the management of 10,000 lottery terminals across the province.
