Hard Rock taking over Rideau Carleton Raceway

_ (Via Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation) _

TORONTO

,

May 15, 2017

/CNW/ - Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has selected HR Ottawa, LP (known as “Hard Rock Casino Ottawa”) as the service provider for the Ottawa Area Gaming Bundle, following a competitive procurement process. The Hard Rock Casino Ottawa partnership consists of HR LP Investor Inc. (owned by Hard Rock International) and RCR Investor Inc. (owned by Rideau Carleton Raceway Holdings Limited).

“OLG has made an important step toward improving the customer experience in the

Ottawa

region,” said

Stephen Rigby

, OLG’s President and CEO. “The investments Hard Rock Casino Ottawa will make will substantially enhance the gaming entertainment experience, while increasing revenue for the Province and encouraging local economic development.”

“We’re honoured to have been chosen by OLG as the service provider for the Ottawa Area Gaming Bundle,” said

Jim Allen

, chairman of Hard Rock International. “Together with RCR, we plan to potentially invest more than

$320 million

to create an electrifying, integrated entertainment destination, leading to the potential creation of more than 1,900 construction-related jobs and 2,000 direct and indirect ongoing jobs and opportunities for the

Ottawa

community.”

“We are delighted to bring the iconic Hard Rock International casino operator to

Ottawa

,” said

Andrew Wright

, Director of Rideau Carleton Raceway. “Rideau Carleton Raceway has partnered with Hard Rock to build a major tourist destination that will offer multi-level entertainment, energized horse racing, a broader market and substantial economic benefits for all of our employees, patrons, and the

Ottawa

community.”

OLG has entered into a Transition and Asset Purchase Agreement with Hard Rock Casino Ottawa for the Ottawa Area Gaming Bundle, which sets out the customary closing conditions to be satisfied for OLG and Hard Rock Casino Ottawa to enter into a 20-year Casino Operating and Services Agreement (COSA). Under the COSA, Hard Rock Casino Ottawa will take over day-to-day operations of OLG Slots at Rideau Carleton Raceway.

OLG expects that the service provider will take over day-to-day operations in fall 2017.

OLG employees will transfer to the new service provider and OLG will work with Hard Rock Casino Ottawa to ensure they have as smooth and seamless a transition as possible. This includes a requirement for the service provider to retain employees for a period of no less than 12 months in their current position and geographic location, and to provide eligible employees with benefits and a registered pension plan.

While Hard Rock Casino Ottawa will be responsible for the day-to-day gaming operations in the bundle, OLG will continue to:

 * 
Conduct and manage gaming in the bundle

 * 
Require compliance with applicable regulations set out by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of

 Ontario

(AGCO)

 * 
Be the owner of key player information

 * 
Uphold the standards of its Responsible Gambling program through the service provider, including the self-exclusion program

 * 
Distribute Contribution Agreement payments to the host community

Hard Rock Casino Ottawa is required to follow all applicable laws including AGCO’s regulated standards which require, among other things, rigorous Responsible Gambling policies and programs.

To OLG, the integrity of its procurement process is of the utmost importance. Throughout the procurement process, OLG has engaged the services of a Fairness Monitor to provide oversight and advice.