April 2, 2014 – Richmond, BC – Great Canadian Gaming Corporation [TSX:GC] (“Great Canadian” or “the Company”) announced today that it has signed agreements with five other Ontario racetrack operators and the Ontario Racing Commission (“ORC”) in support of the Horse Racing Partnership Plan that was previously announced by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food in October 2013. These agreements establish an unprecedented standardbred alliance (the “Standardbred Alliance”) amongst a core group of race tracks centered around the concentrated horse supply in Central and South Western Ontario and provide better stability and clarity for all industry stakeholders.
The Standardbred Alliance members represent a three-tier racing hierarchy, ‘Grass Roots’ (Clinton Raceway, Hanover Raceway), ‘Signature’ (Flamboro Downs, Georgian Downs, Grand River Raceway and The Raceway at Western Fair) and ‘Premier’ (Mohawk Racetrack and Woodbine Racetrack). The Standardbred Alliance has worked closely with government, regulators and industry participants to develop a racing plan that will see a coordinated year-round racing calendar that is attractive to both foreign and domestic customers, provides for consistent purse levels at each track, and enables enhanced operational efficiencies among the tracks.
Under a new five-year horse racing program that will be administered by the ORC, the Company’s Georgian Downs and Flamboro Downs racetracks will receive provincial funding for their racing purses. In addition, under the terms of the revenue sharing agreements amongst the Standardbred Alliance members, the racetracks’ pari-mutuel revenues will be pooled and shared amongst the tracks. These agreements are not expected to have a material financial impact on the Company’s Ontario Racetrack operations and have replaced the horse racing transition funding that was previously received by the Company’s Ontario racetracks from the Government of Ontario during the twelve months ended March 31, 2014.
“We are excited to continue to host live horse racing at both Flamboro Downs and Georgian Downs,” stated Mr. Rod N. Baker, Great Canadian’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “The finalization of these agreements is good news for the future of horse racing in Ontario. We are committed to working with the provincial government and the Standardbred Alliance on implementing a long-term, sustainable model for racing in the province.”
ABOUT GREAT CANADIAN GAMING CORPORATION
Great Canadian Gaming Corporation operates gaming, entertainment and hospitality facilities in British Columbia, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Washington State. The Company’s 17 gaming properties consist of three community gaming centres, four racetracks, and ten casinos, including one with a Four Diamond hotel resort. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had approximately 4,000 employees in Canada and 600 in Washington State. Further information is available on the Company’s website, www.gcgaming.com.
DISCLAIMER
This press release contains certain “forward-looking information” or statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information is based on the Company’s current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions that were made by the Company in light of its historical trends and other factors. All information or statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information including statements that address expectations, estimates or projections about the future, the Company’s strategy for growth and objectives, expected future expenditures, costs, operating and financial results, expected impact of future commitments, the future ability of the Company to operate the Georgian Downs and Flamboro Downs facilities beyond the terms of the signed Ontario Lease Agreements and Ontario Racing Agreements, the terms and expected benefits of the normal course issuer bid, and expectations and implications of changes in legislation and government policies. Forward-looking information may be identified by words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, or similar expressions. Such forward- looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and may involve a number of risks and uncertainties.
Although forward-looking information is based on information and assumptions that the Company believes are current, reasonable and complete, they are subject to unknown risks, uncertainties, and a number of factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors may include, but are not limited to: terms of operational services agreements with lottery corporations; changes to gaming laws that may impact the operational services agreements, pending, proposed or unanticipated regulatory or policy changes; the outcome of restructuring of gaming in Ontario, the Company’s ability to obtain and renew required business licenses, leases, and operational services agreements; the future of horse racing in Ontario, unanticipated fines, sanctions and suspensions imposed on the Company by its regulators; impact of global liquidity and credit availability; adverse tourism trends and further decreases in levels of travel, leisure and consumer spending; competition from established competitors and new entrants in the gaming business; dependence on key personnel; the Company’s ability to manage its capital projects and its expanding operations; the risk that systems, procedures and controls may not be adequate to meet regulatory requirements or to support current and expanding operations; potential undisclosed liabilities and capital expenditures associated with acquisitions; negative connotations linked to the gaming industry; First Nations rights with respect to some land on which we conduct our operations; future or current legal proceedings; construction disruptions; financial covenants associated with credit facilities and long-term debt; credit, liquidity and market risks associated with our financial instruments; interest and exchange rate fluctuations; non-realization of cost reductions and synergies; demand for new products and services; fluctuations in operating results; economic uncertainty and financial market volatility; technology dependence; and privacy breaches or data theft. The Company cautions that this list of factors is not exhaustive. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. These factors and other risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company’s continuous disclosure documents filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities from time to time, including in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Information Form for fiscal 2013, and as identified in the Company’s disclosure record on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking information, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions, or expectations upon which they are based will occur. The forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date hereof, is subject to change after such date, and is expressly qualified in its entirety by cautionary statements in this press release. Forward-looking information is provided for the purpose of providing information about management’s current expectations and plans and allowing investors and others to get a better understanding of the Company’s operating environment. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise forward-looking information to reflect subsequent events or circumstances except as required by law.
ON BEHALF OF
GREAT CANADIAN GAMING CORPORATION
“Original Signed By Rod N. Baker”
Rod N. Baker
President and Chief Executive Officer
GREAT CANADIAN GAMING CORPORATION [TSX:GC]
Suite #350 – 13775 Commerce Parkway
Richmond, BC V6V 2V4
(604) 303-1000
Website: www.gcgaming.com
For investor enquiries:
ir@gcgaming.com or
Ms. Tanya Ruskowski
Executive Assistant to the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial
Officer
(604) 303-1000
For media enquiries:
Mr. Chuck Keeling
Vice-President, Stakeholder Relations and Responsible Gaming
(604) 247-4197