The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) today announced it has selected a vendor to provide services to its internet gaming program, which will be available to residents of Ontario in late 2013.
Following a procurement process, SPIELO G2 was selected as OLG’s primary service provider to provide interactive casino-style games for online play including slots, video poker games and table games. OLG will be running their online offering at PlayOLG.ca where customers will also be able to purchase lottery tickets. OLG’s internet gaming program will be launched in phases with the first to include lottery and gaming offerings. Subsequent phases will include bingo, sports wagering, online poker and the introduction of other new products.
“OLG will offer the only safe, lawful and regulated internet gaming option in Ontario. The move into internet gaming is an exciting step in OLG’s modernization,” said Rod Phillips, President and CEO of OLG. He continued, “We’re pleased to have an experienced company on board to help OLG provide an interactive gaming experience that will be a secure option, regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.”
SPIELO G2 (aka GTECH and Boss Media) will provide a player account management system that will implement responsible gambling features. This system will provide an age-verification requirement and customers will have the ability to manage their online play with time and money limits, and the option to take breaks from play.
OLG estimates that regulated internet gaming could increase the net profit to the province by $375-million over its first five years in operation, money that will support provincial priorities such as health care, community infrastructure and education.
The contract with BOSS MEDIA AB, a part of SPIELO G2, is for a five-year term and includes options to renew. It is still unclear whether OLG will launch a standalone poker network or combine with other provinces in Canada such as British Columbia and Quebec who are already using the same poker software platform.
