Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation
Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) is a Crown corporation owned by the Government of Ontario that conducts and manages lottery, casino, internet gaming, charitable gaming, and related gaming activities in the province.
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) is a Crown corporation owned by the Government of Ontario that conducts and manages lottery, casino, internet gaming, charitable gaming, and related gaming activities in the province. It was created under the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation Act, 1999, and began operating on April 1, 2000. OLG is branded publicly as “OLG” rather than its full corporate name.
Mandate
OLG’s mandate is to conduct and manage gaming for the Province of Ontario, including lotteries, casino gaming, internet gaming, and charitable gaming. Its official purpose is framed as contributing to Ontario through entertainment and revenue generation.
History
OLG was created by provincial legislation in 1999 and became operational in 2000 through the merger of Ontario’s lottery and casino corporations. The organization has used the brand name OLG since 2006.
Operations
The corporation oversees province-wide lottery products, land-based gaming, digital gaming, and charitable gaming products. Its official materials describe these as core business lines under a government-owned operational enterprise agency.
Public role
OLG’s revenue is directed to the Province of Ontario and has been used to support hospitals, health care, problem gambling services, amateur sport, charities, and other government priorities. Some funding also supports host communities, First Nations, retailers, and horse racing.
Key facts
- OLG is the provincial agency responsible for conducting and managing gaming on behalf of Ontario.
- Its activities include lottery games, casinos, internet gaming, bingo, and other electronic gaming products at charitable gaming centres.
- The corporation was created when the Ontario Lottery Corporation and Ontario Casino Corporation were merged under the 1999 act.
- Annual proceeds are used to support provincial priorities and other public programs, including health care and problem gambling initiatives.
- OLG also provides annual funding related to the horse-racing industry.
OLG is directly relevant to Canadian readers because it is an Ontario public-sector gambling operator whose proceeds support provincial programs and services.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation?
When was OLG created?
What does OLG do?
Is OLG a private company?
What happens to OLG profits?
References
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario_Lottery_and_Gaming_CorporationSupports: Crown corporation status, Ontario ownership, general gaming activities, branding as OLG
- Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation — https://about.olg.ca/Supports: Official description of OLG’s role and activities
- Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation — https://about.olg.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/OLG-Annual-Report-2023-2024.pdfSupports: Mandate, operating lines, and classification as an operational enterprise agency
- CGAO — https://cgao.ca/olg/Supports: Creation date, public revenue contributions, and public-benefit context
- Ontario Legislative Assembly — https://www.ola.org/sites/default/files/node-files/committee/report/pdf/2021/2021-02/AGENCY%20REVIEW%20OF%20THE%20ONTARIO%20LOTTERY%20AND%20GAMING%20CORPORATION%20.pdfSupports: Creation under the 1999 Act and merger of predecessor corporations
- Public Appointments Secretariat, Government of Ontario — https://www.pas.gov.on.ca/Home/Agency/241Supports: Legal basis, governance, and board appointment details
- Office of the Auditor General of Ontario — https://www.auditor.on.ca/en/content/annualreports/arreports/en22/AR_OLG_en22.pdfSupports: Responsible activities and funding relationship to the horse-racing industry
- Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario — https://www.agco.ca/en/book/export/html/246196Supports: Regulatory context for lottery and gaming in Ontario