The Corporation of The Town of Penetanguishene
Finance & Corporate Services Section
Committee Report
COMMITTEE: Finance & Corporate Services Section
COMMITTEE CHAIR: Councillor Daryl O’Shea
SUBJECT: New eBingo Gaming Initiative
RECOMMENDATION: THAT Finance & Corporate Services Section supports in
principle the development of eBingo Gaming at Angel Gate Bingo hall and a copy of this
report be provided to Council for information;
AND THAT staff be directed to work with Angel Gate and the affected Charities to
ensure all regulations and requirements as established by the Alcohol and Gaming
Commission of Ontario are met.
INTRODUCTION
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) regulates casino gaming,
charitable gaming and lotteries and ensures they are conducted in the public interest, by
people who are socially and financially responsible.
The local Lottery Licensing Officer is responsible to ensure that all lottery events
authorized by the AGCO are conducted by eligible charitable or non-profit
organizations, in accordance with the terms and conditions established for the
respective charitable game and that proceeds derived from the gaming event are
utilized by the organization as authorized by the AGCO and in accordance with their
approved application.
In February 2011, the Ontario Charitable Gaming Association (OCGA) and Commercial
Gaming Association Ontario (CGAO) reached an agreement with the Ontario Lottery
and Gaming (OLG) introducing Electronic Bingo Gaming Initiative (correspondence
attached).
ANALYSIS
The eBingo Gaming Initiative has been introduced in an effort to modernize charity
gaming in Ontario and to create a new entertainment experience in charitable bingo
gaming centres to both retain players and reach out to attract new players and to
revitalize the bingo industry and re-establish the much needed funding source for
charities.
Currently, five municipalities, Barrie, Kingston, Peterborough, Greater Sudbury and
Windsor, administer electronic charitable gaming and have all reported positive results.
The Corporation of The Town of Penetanguishene
Finance & Corporate Services Section
Committee Report
OCGA, CGAO and OLG will announce the site prioritization schedule in May and a
preliminary implementation timeline will be provided for gaming centres in the first
group. For other gaming centres that have indicated interest, a timeline will follow at a
later date when the planning for the first group is underway.
Commercial operators will be required to make a minimum investment to support the
back-end computer system and to ensure that all required infrastructure is in place to
accept the technology and equipment. There will be no requirement for facilities to be
upgraded or for cosmetic changes to occur. These upgrades will be at the discretion of
the commercial operators, who have the knowledge of what is best for the facility, and
what is best for customer appeal.
The Angel Gate Bingo operator and the Town charities have already supported and
signed a letter of interest to participate in the Initiative (see attached). The Town Staff
are prepared to assist with the eBingo Gaming Initiative and to work with the involved
agencies to ensure the success of this important initiative.
In the full scenario, OLG “conducts and manages” through a service contract with the
operator, while charities continue to play an important “in-house” role in return for a
percentage of the proceeds. Participation in this model will be a joint decision between
operator and the charities. Municipalities must also be in agreement.
If Angel Gate Bingo is chosen they would participate in the Full eBingo Gaming which
will include the following:
Electronic Bingo on a robust system
Break Open ticket dispensing machines with entertainment component
Paper bingo
Personal played “Play on Demand” games – electronic bingo-themed games that
players play against the computer on the bingo platform, refreshed, throughout
the year
Personal played Electronic Break Open tickets on the eBingo system
Paper break Open Tickets
Personal played Electronic Instant Tickets
Traditional Instant Tickets
Electronic Shutterboard
Networked U Pick’em/Rapid Draw Bingo
BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS
There is no budgetary implication associated with this report at this time. In the event
that Angel Gate Bingo is chosen to be one of the sites. Hall owners, the Town and
participating charities will see continued growth in their proceeds over time.
RISK MANAGEMENT
There is no risk management implications associated with this report.
The Corporation of The Town of Penetanguishene
Finance & Corporate Services Section
Committee Report
JOINT URBAN NODE IMPLICATIONS
The Town of Midland does not have a Bingo Hall facility in their community; therefore
there are no Joint Urban Node implications
SUSTAINABILITY
The Bingo Hall could be considered part of the Economic and Community Pillar as the
facility generates revenues for local business and charities.
Develop strategies or enhance support for business retention and expansions.
Provide support, tools and incentives for existing business to become “greener”
through energy, resource and process efficiencies.
Work with tourism operators to identify opportunities to improve operational
efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.
STRATEGIC GOALS & OBJECTIVES
It is a strategic goal of the Town to ensure that legislative and regulatory requirements
are met. All lottery events authorized by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission are
conducted in accordance with the Terms and Conditions.
Prepared by: Angele Proulx, Assistant to the Clerk
Reviewed by: E.J. Rath, C.A.O.
Meeting Date: FCS May 24, 2011
Council June 8, 2011
Electronic File Location: S:\Access Folders\Administration\P09 New eBingo Gaming
Initiative Report