The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has awarded Pollard Banknote Limited a 10-year contract extension for its instant ticket services.
Under this agreement, Pollard Banknote will continue to serve as OLG’s primary instant ticket supplier, providing a full range of products and services through July 31, 2032, with an additional five-year renewal option.
Duncan Hannay, President and CEO of OLG, said: “OLG is pleased to be furthering our strong partnership with Pollard Banknote, securing the continuity and sustained growth and development of our instant lottery business. For well over a decade we’ve worked together to find ways to deliver value for money for the people of Ontario while creating a world-class product for our players.
“We’re happy to be working with a partner like Pollard to create employment opportunities in this province. The new positions at the Sault Ste Marie plant demonstrate our shared commitment to supporting economic recovery in the communities where we operate our businesses.”
Pollard Banknote has been a partner to OLG since 1987 and has served as its primary supplier for the past 14 years. In 2008, the firm opened an instant ticket finishing plant in Sault Ste Marie, demonstrating its commitment to the lottery while supporting economic development in the province of Ontario.
Starting with 37 full-time employees in the plant’s first year of operations, staffing has risen to 120 and will be further increased to 140 with this extension. Its continuous growth has helped to boost Pollard Banknote’s total finishing capacity in tandem with its increasing ticket production volumes. 2020 was a record year for the Sault Ste Marie plant, as it packaged 31% more tickets than what it did just five years ago, with these tickets destined for OLG and other lotteries around the world.
Doug Pollard, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Pollard Banknote, added: “Pollard Banknote is very proud of our long-standing partnership with OLG which has been productive and mutually beneficial.
“We have worked hard to help OLG increase sales and offer an expanding selection of innovative products and services to meet the players’ evolving preferences. Additionally, we are thrilled that the leadership and hard work of our dedicated staff at our Sault Ste Marie plant are being rewarded with this contract extension.”
Ross Romano, MPP for Sault Ste Marie, commented: “I am so happy to highlight the collaboration between OLG and Pollard Banknote. As I always say, we work better when we work together. Partnerships like this are critical to our community’s economic recovery and prosperity.
“Partnerships such as this are not only bringing more business into our community and growing our economy but are also providing significant employment to Sault Ste Marie.”
