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:

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.

Canada’s Largest Ever Online Sports Prize Pool

$1 Million Super Pool Up for Grabs this Super Bowl on PlayNow.com

Now, for the first time ever, bettors in Manitoba can test their Super Bowl know-how for a chance to win or share the $1 Million Super Pool on PlayNow.com. This is the largest potential online sports grand prize of its kind ever offered in Canada. 

To win the $1 Million Super Pool, players have to correctly pick all 25 Super Bowl related outcomes on their $5 pool card. The outcomes range from prop bets such as the result of the coin toss, whether an interception will be thrown, to more traditional bets like the total points scored in the game and the winner of Super Bowl Ll. In the event no one selects all 25 outcomes correctly, players with the most correct picks will win or share a jackpot generated by pool sales. Since the pool was announced last week, interest on PlayNow.com has spiked.

In addition to the pool, bettors on PlayNow.com can also wager on more than 300 prop and novelty bets related to the showdown this Sunday between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons. The Patriots are currently the favourites to win the Vince Lombardi trophy while the Falcons are the Super Bowl underdogs. Quirky novelty bets include what colour of Gatorade will be dumped on the winning coach and whether Lady Gaga will mention Donald Trump.

The Super Bowl is the single biggest sports betting event in North America. Approximately $14.6 million was wagered on the NFL on PlayNow.com during the 2015-16 season.

PlayNow.com is Manitoba’s only legal, regulated gambling website operated by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries. For more information on the $1 Million Super Pool and Super Bowl odds, visit PlayNow.com. 

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To arrange an interview contact:

Patrick Delaney | Communications Officer
204.957.2500 ext. 2379 | Patrick.Delaney@mbll.ca

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries (MBLL) to Cancel Unnecessary Downtown Relocation

Project outside the mandate of MBLL and at risk of significant cost overruns: Craik

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries today reported the findings of a review conducted by the corporation’s new board of directors at the request of the Government of Manitoba. The review looked into procurement and tendering processes related to the proposed head office development, with the goal of ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This resulted in a specific analysis of the corporation’s September 2015 purchase of 233 Kennedy Street (the Medical Arts Building) and decision to renovate the building and utilize it as the location for its amalgamated corporate head offices.

“Our board’s review has resulted in a decision that the corporation will utilize existing office space for its corporate employees and will not be proceeding with previous plans to construct a new $75 million headquarters,” said board chair Polly Craik. “Our review concluded that the corporation’s existing office space is sufficient to meet the ongoing needs of staff. We could not support spending a minimum of $75 million of public funds for a project that would see Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries operating as a commercial property developer, well outside of its core mandate.”

The decision not to proceed with the $75-million head office project follows a comprehensive review by the organization’s board of directors. The review concluded that:

• There is no operational need to develop a new building for corporate employees. Existing office space is sufficient to meet the needs of corporate staff.
• Construction projects of the size of the proposed new headquarters, particularly those associated with the renovation and development of an older building, face significant risks of cost escalation. The board concluded that these cost uncertainties could put additional public dollars unnecessarily at risk.
• The original project would have required Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries to take on the roles of commercial property developer and property and asset management. These roles are outside the mandate of supporting the province through liquor sales and gaming operations.

“Our review concluded that any possible net savings from this project are negated by the risks of construction cost over-runs associated with renovating and developing an aged building,” said Craik. “Manitobans expect us to make prudent financial decisions that are in the public’s best interest and that is what we plan to do.”

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For interviews with Polly Craik, Board Chair, and Jim Morden, Board member: