Great Canadian Gaming Corporation announced that it has completed agreements with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation and the owners of the Ajax Downs racetrack for the continued operation of slots at Ajax Downs in Ajax, Ontario.

The Greater Toronto Area gaming bundle was awarded to the Ontario Gaming GTA Limited Partnership and is operated by the Company. The GTA bundle originally included Casino Woodbine, Great Blue Heron Casino, and Casino Ajax, whose operation was to be relocated to a new casino resort property to be developed by GCGC in Pickering, in addition to a fourth gaming zone opportunity to be located in the GTA bundle.

After assuming operation of the GTA Bundle, GCGC planned to close the Ajax slots facility upon the opening of a new casino resort property in Pickering. With the provincial government’s most recent commitment to horse racing and job creation, this agreement allows for the addition of this new gaming zone and the continued operation of Casino Ajax with 500 slots with all current amenities.

The consummation of this agreement, initiated by Ontario’s provincial government and OLG, affords stability for quarter horse racing at Ajax Downs, jobs supported by the facility, and the provincial horse racing industry in general.

“Since being awarded the East, GTA and West GTA gaming bundles, we have already created more than 1,100 new local jobs,” said Rod Baker, Chief Executive Officer of GCGC. “With the encouragement of the OLG and the provincial government, we have quickly moved forward with an aggressive capital development plan in all markets we are operating in. There will be approximately 4,000 additional new jobs for people in Ontario communities once our developments are fully built out.”

“The decision by the provincial government to create a new gaming zone at Ajax Downs has secured several hundred jobs at that location, with no impact on the number of jobs originally planned at the new facility under development in Pickering,” added Baker. “This agreement also provides an opportunity for further capital investment and a more diverse selection of gaming options to our guests. Great Canadian is pleased with the collaboration from all stakeholders in bringing this agreement to fruition and the commitment by the provincial government to economic development and job creation in Ontario.”

“I would like to thank the Government of Ontario, OLG, Great Canadian Gaming, and the loyal customers of Casino Ajax for their continued support and constructive work to finalize this agreement. This is a good day for horse racing, and we’re excited to contribute to meaningful local employment opportunities in Ontario,” said Justin Picov, President of Ajax Downs.

ABOUT GREAT CANADIAN GAMING CORPORATION:

Founded in 1982, Great Canadian Gaming Corporation is a BC based company that operates 28 gaming, entertainment and hospitality facilities in Ontario, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Washington State. Fundamental to the company’s culture is its commitment to social responsibility. “PROUD of our people, our business, our community” is Great Canadian’s brand that unifies the company’s community, volunteering and social responsibility efforts. Under the PROUD program, Great Canadian annually supports hundreds of non-profits, community groups, and in 2018, Great Canadian team members spent over 15,000 hours volunteering for various charitable and community initiatives. In each Canadian gaming jurisdiction, a significant portion of gross gaming revenue from gaming facilities is retained by our crown partners on behalf of their provincial government for the purpose of supporting programs like healthcare, education and social services.

Source: Great Canadian Gaming Corporation

Great Canadian Gaming Corporation announced that it will release its financial results for the three month period ended March 31, 2019 (the “first quarter”) before market open on May 6, 2019.  The Company will also host a conference call on that date at 8:00 AM Pacific Time, at which time management will both review the financial results and discuss the progress of the business.  The following senior management will be available to answer questions from analysts and institutional investors:

• Mr. Rod N. Baker, President & Chief Executive Officer
• Mr. Terrance Doyle, President, Strategic Growth & Chief Compliance Officer

The first quarter 2019 results press release, condensed interim consolidated financial statements, and management’s discussion and analysis will be available on the Company’s website, www.gcgaming.com, on May 6, 2019 after 6:00 AM Pacific Time.  This information will also be available on www.sedar.com shortly afterwards.

The conference call may be accessed via the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website, www.gcgaming.com.  The conference call may also be accessed by dialing 416-764-8688, 778-383-7413 or toll free at 1-888-390-0546.  Questions will be reserved for analysts and institutional investors.  Following completion of the call, a replay will be available via the Company’s website, www.gcgaming.com.

Following the conference call, shareholders are welcome to join our Annual General and Special Meeting at 10:00 AM Pacific Time located at the River Rock Casino Resort, 8811 River Road, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada.

ABOUT GREAT CANADIAN GAMING CORPORATION:

Founded in 1982, Great Canadian Gaming Corporation is a BC based company that operates 28 gaming, entertainment and hospitality facilities in Ontario, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Washington State. Fundamental to the Company’s culture is its commitment to social responsibility. “PROUD of our people, our business, our community” is Great Canadian’s brand that unifies the Company’s community, volunteering and social responsibility efforts. Under the PROUD program, Great Canadian annually invests over $2.5 million in our communities, and in 2017, over 1,900 charitable organizations were supported by Great Canadian. In each Canadian gaming jurisdiction, a significant portion of gross gaming revenue from gaming facilities is retained by our crown partners on behalf of their provincial government for the purpose of supporting programs like healthcare, education and social services.

Source: Great Canadian Gaming Corporation

Lazarus Esports, a Canadian multigaming esports organisation, has joined forces with SheIS, a not-for-profit group, to shine a spotlight on women’s esports.

“It’s like the Winnie the Pooh and Piglet in a windstorm trying to hold the umbrella down, because it’s taken off so phenomenally,” Brenda Andress, the president and founder of SheIS said.

The SheIS Collective includes the National Women’s Soccer League, WNBA and other women’s leagues as well as the United States Tennis Association, Rugby Canada and Baseball Canada, among other organisations. They meet to find ways to celebrate women’s sports and athletes and share each other’s accomplishments.

Many may wonder why men and women do not just play in the same league. The NBA 2K League took a step forward when Chicago’s Chiquita Evans became the league’s first female pro, drafted in the fourth round by Warriors Gaming, which is operated by the Golden State Warriors.

Female gamers have also competed alongside men in the past in the Call of Duty and other leagues, Tidal Games CEO Charlie Watson said.

“There’s still a lot of work to be done in the industry to merge men and women, co-ed, on the same teams,” he added.

But he believes it is just a matter of time before “those two worlds … collide” and more co-ed teams emerge.