VOLUNTARY PRODUCT RECALL:

1.14 Litre Bottles of Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin (LOT CODE L16304W ONLY)

Bacardi Canada has voluntarily recalled 1.14 litre bottles of Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin (lot code L16304 W only) as it contains an incorrect alcohol content versus what is shown on the label (77% versus 40%). The lot code can be found on the back of the bottle near the base.

Any affected product has been removed from Liquor Mart shelves. Licensees or customers who have previously purchased an affected bottle of Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin should not consume and return the product to their local Liquor Mart or Liquor Vendor for a full refund.

For further information about this recall, please visit the Canada Food Inspection Agency website.

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MBLL Moving into Next Phase of Growth
to Deliver on Manitobans' Priorities

The Board of Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries today announced that it will focus the corporation’s strategies towards growth and refinement of its core operations. This will include developing new ideas, new projects and new approaches to strengthen the organization while improving its liquor products and gaming and entertainment services. This will ensure MBLL is aptly positioned for a future that meets the needs of its customers and Manitobans. 

“As a Board, our job is to maximize the positive impact MBLL can have on the Manitoba economy and in the lives of all Manitobans,” said Board Chair, Polly Craik. “Clear strategic direction, sound business principles and strong executive leadership are the keys to ensuring we are well positioned to support the province through our core operations.”

As part of this new direction, current CEO John Stinson will depart the organization. Peter Hak, an MBLL executive who has held several senior portfolios since joining Manitoba Lotteries in 1984, will become interim CEO effective immediately.

“John played a key role in guiding MBLL through a period of significant change, and we thank him for his leadership,” Craik said. “Peter will have the Board’s full support through this important transition.”

Stinson, who joined the corporation in February 2015 said, “It was a privilege to serve Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries during a time of change, and I wish the organization every success moving forward.”

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For interviews with Polly Craik, Board Chair:

COMMUNITY & NON-PROFIT GROUPS TO CONTINUE TO BENEFIT FROM

MANITOBA LIQUOR & LOTTERIES BINGO VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

Electronic bingo resulted in necessary changes to administration of the program 

Funding for the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Bingo Volunteer Program is continuing through the 2017-18 fiscal year, with money now being provided directly to umbrella organizations who will allocate the funds for local community and non-profit organizations without the requirement of volunteer service.

"With the declining popularity of paper bingo at Winnipeg's casinos, the number of volunteers required for each bingo shift dropped over time and the requirement for volunteers has now disappeared," said Diana Soroka, Director Community Support. "Community organizations that were allocated bingos between January and March 31, 2017 were notified earlier this year that they would receive their funds without the expectation of volunteer work. Money earmarked for the Bingo Volunteer Program for the 2017-18 fiscal year will be provided directly to umbrella groups that oversee the volunteer allocations."

The Bingo Volunteer Program has been in place since 1984 and provides approximately $4 million annually to about 400 community and non-profit groups.

"The Bingo Volunteer Program is undergoing a necessary assessment in order to ensure that support for local community and non-profit organizations makes sense as bingo players move to electronic bingo and the need for volunteers is eliminated," said Soroka. "We have been in contact with the umbrella groups and they are pleased that the funding will continue for the next year."

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Liquor Mart Easter Weekend Hours

Thursday, April 13

Most Winnipeg and Brandon Liquor Mart locations will operate on extended hours, opening at 9:00 a.m. and closing at 11:00 p.m. with the exception of:

• cityplace: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Hargrave & Ellice – 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• Main & Pritchard – 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• Brandon West End Express – 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Rural Liquor Mart hours will also operate on extended hours, but will vary by location. Please visit www.LiquorMarts.ca/hours.

Friday, April 14

All Liquor Mart locations in Manitoba will be closed Good Friday.

Saturday, April 15

Most Winnipeg and Brandon Liquor Mart locations will operate on extended hours, opening at 9:00 a.m. and closing at 11:00 p.m. with the exception of:

• cityplace: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Hargrave & Ellice – 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• Main & Pritchard – 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• Brandon West End Express – 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Rural Liquor Mart hours will also operate on extended hours, but will vary by location. Please visit www.LiquorMarts.ca/hours.

Sunday, April 16

All Liquor Mart locations in Manitoba will be closed Easter Sunday.

Monday, April 17

Regular hours will resume at all Manitoba Liquor Marts.

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries’ corporate offices will be closed on Friday, April 14 and Monday, April 17.

Peter Hak Appointed President & CEO of Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries

Peter Hak, a longtime Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries executive, has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer, the Crown corporation’s board of directors announced today. Hak has served as CEO in an acting capacity since October 2016. His role becomes permanent effective immediately.

“Peter Hak is a deeply experienced leader who has the trust and respect of employees across the organization,” said board chair Polly Craik. “Manitobans can expect sound fiscal management and continued improvements to products and services under Peter’s leadership.”

Hak has held a number of senior portfolios at Liquor & Lotteries since first joining Manitoba Lotteries in 1984. He was most recently Chief Corporate Services Officer and previously served as Manitoba Lotteries’ Chief Operating Officer and as Director of Finance. Hak is a chartered accountant and holds an MBA from the University of Manitoba.

Hak said Liquor & Lotteries’ primary focus will be maximizing the Crown corporation’s contribution to the province. 

“When we improve our profitability, Manitobans benefit,” Hak said. “Sound governance, fiscal responsibility and improved revenues are the keys to further strengthening our ability to support important programs and services.”

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries income is directed to the Province of Manitoba to fund health care, education and other provincially administered programs. Liquor & Lotteries returned just over $583 million to the Province last fiscal year.

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La La Land the Favourite on PlayNow.com to Clean Up at 89th Academy Awards

Manitobans make their picks with more than 26 Novelty Bets this O​scar night

Manitobans can wager on the glitz and glamour of the 89th Academy Awards on PlayNow.com. With more than 26 bets and an Oscars pool, bettors can wager on dozens of categories from Best Picture to Best Makeup and Hairstyling.

Smash hit La La Land has a record 14 Oscar nominations, and is favoured on PlayNow.com to clean up at the awards ceremony this Sunday. The movie is heavily favoured to win Best Picture and is leading in nine other categories, including Best Director for Damien Chazelle and Best Actress for Emma Stone.

Try to predict just how much La La Land will dominate this Sunday. Will it win more than 8 Oscars? How many of the “Big Four” Oscars (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress) will the film garner by the end of the night?

In other categories Jungle Book is favoured to win for Visual Effects, Star Trek Beyond for Makeup and Hairstyling, and Zootopia for Best Animated Feature.

As always, Canadians are part of Oscar night’s mix. Alan Barillaro’s Piper is the frontrunner to win Best Animated Short, and Howard Barish’s13th is in the running for Best Documentary Feature. Ryan Gosling is less of a frontrunner sitting with 11/1 odds of winning the award for Best Actor. In the Best Director category, Denis Villeneuve has 49/1 odds of winning for Arrival.

The Oscars is the most popular awards betting event on PlayNow.com, outpacing the Grammys, Golden Globes and Miss Universe. At last year’s Oscars, the site saw almost $25,000 wagered on more than 2400 bets.

PlayNow.com is Manitoba’s only legal, regulated gambling website, operated by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries. For more information on the Oscars pool, novelty bets and a complete list of odds, visit PlayNow.com.

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To arrange an interview, contact:

Liquor Mart Louis Riel Day Hours

Most Liquor Mart locations will be open on Louis Riel Day, Monday, February 20, 2017, as follows:

Open 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

• All Liquor Marts in Winnipeg and Brandon (excluding cityplace)
• Beausejour, Dauphin, Flin Flon, Gimli, Lac du Bonnet, Stonewall, Portage la Prairie, Selkirk, and The Pas

Open 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

• Killarney, Minnedosa, Morden, Neepawa, Russell, Swan River, Thompson, and Virden

Closed

• cityplace, Carman, Churchill, Pine Falls, Steinbach, and Winkler

To view each Liquor Mart’s hours of operation, please visit www.LiquorMarts.ca/hours.

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries’ corporate offices will be closed on Monday, February 20, 2017.