Gaming Site and cGaming Centre Proposal

Update: At the September 27, 2022 meeting, Council directed Administration to advise the applicant (Community Gaming and Entertainment Group), the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) that the Municipality of Lakeshore supports the location of a gaming site at 446 Advance Boulevard.

Lakeshore residents are invited to attend the upcoming open houses and submit their feedback online regarding a proposal to establish a gaming site for a Charitable Gaming (cGaming) Centre in the Municipality of Lakeshore at 446 Advance Boulevard.

Please note, the community consultation portion of the project has been completed.

Learn about the proposal with these information videos:

Lakeshore Explainer - Video

 

Proponent - Video Presentation

 

 

Lakeshore's Role

The proposal requires approval from both the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to licence the location, as well as the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) for the location/operation of the site in Lakeshore.

As part of this process, Council is required to seek public input into the establishment of the proposed gaming site.

Council will use your feedback to consider supporting the establishment of the gaming site in the municipality. The decision of Council would then be sent to both the AGCO and the OLG, as well as the applicant, along with a written summary of public feedback and a description of the steps it took gather that feedback. Following that, the OLG would then complete its business case for presentation to the Province for a final determination as to whether to approve the gaming site.

Community Engagement Process & Timelines

A summary of feedback from the Open Houses and the community survey will be presented to Council for consideration at the October 11, 2022 Meeting.

Proposal Contacts

For questions about Lakeshore's role in the process, please contact Brianna Coughlin, Division Leader - Civic Affairs, at bcoughlin@Lakeshore.ca or 519-728-2700 ext. 235.

For questions about the proposal, please contact Tony Rosa, President & CEO of the Community Gaming and Entertainment Group, at 519-948-7500.

Background Information

Summary of Report to Council

  • On July 14, 2022, the Municipality of Lakeshore received a proposal from the Community Gaming and Entertainment Group (CGEG) to locate the Power Play Gaming Centre (currently located at 13320 Desro Drive in the Town of Tecumseh) to 446 Advance Boulevard in the Municipality of Lakeshore.
  • The Power Play Gaming Centre (formerly the Classic III Bingo Hall) received approval for the cGaming model in 2019 and has been operating since 2020. The CGCSP for the Power Play Gaming Centre is the Community Gaming and Entertainment Group. The CGCA is the Tecumseh Gaming Association, which represents 25 charities within Essex County.
  • The proposed location at 446 Advance Boulevard is zoned as Mixed Use, which permits a “place of entertainment”. The Zoning By-law defines a Place of Entertainment as:
    • a motion picture of other theatre, amusement arcade including game machines, arena, auditorium, assembly hall, billiard or pool room, bingo hall, drive-in theatre, bowling alley, indoor racquet courts, indoor swimming pool, ice or roller rink, studio, dance hall or music hall, but does not does not include an adult entertainment establishment or any place of entertainment or amusement otherwise defined of classified herein. (bold font emphasis added here for clarity).

Beginning in 2005, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission (OLG) partnered with charities, commercial bingo hall operators and municipalities to allow for the transformation of existing bingo halls to charitable gaming (cGaming) centres, which allow for electronic versions of charitable gaming as well as traditional paper-based games. There are 37 approved sites throughout the Province of Ontario, which are all former bingo hall sites licensed through the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

  • Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG)
    • Responsible for the conduct and management of all cGaming site, as per section 207(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada.
    • Issues licences and contracts to providers, charity associations and municipalities.
  • Ontario Charitable Gaming Association (OCGA)
    • A provincial body representing all the charities participating in cGaming.
    • Provides training and support for charities participating in cGaming throughout Ontario Contracted by the OLG to develop policies and procedures.
  • Charitable Gaming Centre Association (CGCA)
    • An association representing charities participating at their local site.
    • Supports member charities and facilitates participation with the CGCSP.
  • Charitable Gaming Centre Service Provider (CGCSP)
    • Provides the venue for the cGaming site, including all technology and equipment and is responsible for daily operations.
    • Manages the facility and all gaming activity, including site marketing and staffing Coordinates with the CGCA for scheduling of participation of local charities and distribution of profit sharing.
  • Municipality
    • Initial: Considers, based on public input, whether to support a gaming site.
    • Ongoing: Monitors ongoing eligibility of charities, provides permits to eligible charities (as per OLG guidelines). Determine eligibility of charities and issue permits on behalf of the OLG; monitor and ensure compliance with permit requirements including the use of proceeds; ensure monthly reports are received from the CGCSP and validate the distribution of funds to charities; ensure monthly reports and banking statements are received from charities; investigate and notify OLG of any breaches of the requirements by charities or the CGCSP.
  • Charities
    • Apply for permits and provide volunteers to participate at cGaming events.
    • Apply for permits and adhere to the requirements, including monthly reporting and monitoring of use of proceeds.

Contact Us

Municipality of Lakeshore
419 Notre Dame St.
Belle River, Ontario N8L 0P8

Phone 519-728-2700
Email PublicService@Lakeshore.ca