1278 – Jackpot City (Sarnia) - Completes Conversion
At the end of November, Jackpot City (Sarnia) completed the conversion process with the launch of the Taptix Units in the Centre. This now completes the first stage of the conversion process with thirty one (31) active Centres within the program. This has been achieved with a three (3) year window, engaged numerous Municipalities and over 1,700 Charity/Non-Profit Community Groups. This in itself is a tremendous achievement and no other sector in the Gaming Industry in Ontario has managed to achieve that success rate.
The new Jackpot City Centre in Sarnia has completed a $C2.4m transformation with many new features added to enhance the customer experience. There is a new Food Service area, new Taptix Lounge offering a licenced bar, entertainment and food and finally a renovation of the Bingo Lounge area to enhance the traditional Bingo experience in a re-freshed environment. This is one of the few Centres where the external treatments have been deployed at the time of conversion and is a reflection of the Commercial Operators experience at their sister location in St. Thomas. The Centre is now positioned in 2016 to leverage the opportunities that are before them and under the leadership of Mr. George Prue it is going to be interesting to see the next phase of development that Centre will go through. |
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1279 – $C100m Milestone - Reached
It is remarkable that in November the Charitable Gaming Initiative reached a double milestone. First, the initiative has collectively raised over $C100m for Charitable/Non-Profit Groups within the province and secondly, it marked 10 years since the first ‘pilot’ was launched at Boardwalk Gaming Centre – Barrie.
This collective achievement by Commercial Operators, Charity Groups, OLG, AGCO and the Municipalities, all who have worked together to reach this amazing result, has delivered meaningful benefit to the host communities. Well done and long may it continue. |
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1280 – Responsible Gaming - Installation Completed
With the introduction and launch of the RG Kiosk at Sarnia, this completes the installation in all 31 c-Gaming Centres of RG Kiosks, which has been an important element of the c-Gaming Program. What is equally exciting is the number of consumer touchpoints that has occurred with over 60,000 visits to the Kiosks since introduction.
At the CGAO we are extremely pleased to hear from the Responsible Gaming Council Team that the c-Gaming Centre Staff has been very constructive and engaged in the various initiatives that have been undertaken by RGC. This Association has been very supportive of a RG Strategy that is informative and balanced. Combined with this has been the engagement with the stakeholders (RGC & OLG) to ensure we understand the operational/program issues prior to deploying a program.
This is a very positive position. All Centre Staff need to take a moment and take pride in this achievement. We are, without question, embracing RG as part of our operational culture. |
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1281 – Marketing Content & Usage Guidelines Framework
Last week, on the 8th December 2015, Mr. Rick Gray’s Office [Vice President c-Gaming – OLG] released to all c-Gaming Centres the Marketing Content & Usage Guideline Manual. This has been placed together to respond to the sector’s need for swifter marketing approvals for your marketplace.
This sets out a framework of marketing for the c-Gaming environment. It is designed to work in tandem with your Marketing Strategy/Plan and will be an additional tool to ensure effective execution of those strategies.
I am sure you will agree there has been a tremendous amount of work undertaken by the c- Gaming Marketing Team that has required detailed engagement by other OLG Departments to complete this document. Therefore, I encourage you to embrace the document, the content and its intent with a very positive frame of mind to leverage the opportunity it offers.
Should you have any questions, please speak directly with either your BRM or the OLG c-Gaming Marketing Team Member who are there to assist you. |
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1282 – Whistleblower Policy - Active
On the 1st December, the Whistleblower policy went live. By now each Commercial Operator should have communicated the program to the staff and ensured that each of them has working knowledge of the program and how to access it effectively.
Remember that this program is administered through ‘Grant Thornton’ but managed by Senior Commercial Operator Management. I wish to flag that the AGCO is aware that this program is now active and it will be part of the Compliance/Audit process so it is important that you have launched the program in your Centres.
If you have any questions, please contact Peter McMahon direct at mcmahon.pil@sympatico.ca. |
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1283 – SWG - Update
Last week the Strategic Working Group met at the AGCO. There were various updates released to the meeting, which I have noted below for reference. I wish to state that the SWG is still a veryimportant platform for the Charitable Gaming Sector and am encouraged that the AGCO remain committed to this forum. The SWG is now chaired by Mr. Jeff Longhurst – Director (AGCO).
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1284 – Communication Initiative - Underway
We, the CGAO, have engaged Communication Strategist – Edelman Group to undertake a project on setting out the tremendous value the Commercial Operators have brought and continue to bring to the Charitable Gaming Sector in the province.
It is targeted to have this completed by early 2016 and will be accompanied by a briefing to all our members once completed.
The Board has long recognized the need for this work to be undertaken and last month gave authorization for the CEO [CGAO] to go ahead and kick-start the project. Will keep you updated as it moves forward. |
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1285 – Gaming & Regulatory Group - Engaged
On the 1st December 2015, the CGAO entered into an arrangement with Gaming & Regulatory Group – a Gaming Consultant Company, for their services initially for a six (6) month period. The file will be managed for G&R by Mr. Don Bourgeois who will work in close contact with the CEO [CGAO] on a range of files (& initiatives).
Mr. Michael Orser – Chair (CGAO) stated – ‘This is another additional investment in resources that the Association has undertaken in the last year. It continues the Board’s approach of enhancing our resources and scope as the business evolves. We are delighted to have Don Bourgeois join us in further developing our Association.’ |
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1286 – BOT Development Fund
At the beginning of October, the BOTDF launched its Regional Awareness Campaign in southwest Ontario, which focuses on Third Party (Retail) locations.
The campaign objectives are to drive awareness of the product while enhancing the community benefits that are driven from a purchase. The spotlight is placed on the Charity and it looks to make a connection to the ticket and the community.
The campaign is multi-level with Newsprint, Radio, TV, POS and digital (Geo-Fenching). It is the latter, the digital element, that I find most interesting and will look forward to receiving the results or impact of each of these mediums on the initiative.
As the results are compiled, I will forward them to you. If anyone has a suggestion on how to support (traditional paper) BOTs, please forward them to my office. |
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1287 – Office Opening - Christmas Period
Please be advised that the CGAO Office will close on the 23rd December 2015 and re-open on Monday, 4th January 2016. If you need assistance during this time, please contact Peter McMahon direct at mcmahon.pli@sympatico.ca. |
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1288 – General Members Meeting
Please be advised that the next scheduled General Members Meeting is being held on Tuesday, the 16th February 2016. Please see details below. We would request that members who are planning to attend please contact or inform our Administrator – Ms. Sandi Nesbitt at nesbitt.s@sympatico.ca.
DATE: Tuesday, 16th February 2016
TIME: 10:00am to 1:00pm
LOCATION: Holiday inn (Airport East), 600 Dixon Road, Toronto
ROOM: Centennial B
REFRESHMENTS: Light Refreshments |
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