Anglais

Ontario’s cannabis lottery will have just 25 winners. But is it a smart approach, or a golden ticket to nowhere?

Published

5 années ago

janvier 9, 2019

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Combining at least two vices, aspiring pot merchants will enter a lottery Friday that will clear the way for a lucky 25 to open the province’s first cannabis stores in April.

The lottery, which will grant the winners first dibs at applying to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario for recreational cannabis retail licences, has likely attracted thousands of entrants, industry experts say.

A display of products at a store in Denver. In Ontario, a lottery will grant 25 winners first dibs at applying to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario for recreational cannabis retail licences. (Dustin Bradford / TNS file photo)

On Friday, the names of the winning people or companies will be drawn, says Ray Khanert, senior communications adviser with the commission. “And they will have five business days to commence their application process.”

Of the 25 winners, five will be able to open stores in Toronto, while only two will be serving the entire expanse of northern Ontario.

Khanert stresses the lottery — which began accepting entrants at 12:01 a.m. Monday — will not grant licences, but the mere right to seek one. And he says winners must subsequently prove to the commission they’ve made serious financial and planning commitments to their enterprises before they’ll be allowed to open a store — with a firm April 1 target.

Among other things, they must have obtained a $50,000 line of credit and committed to a non-refundable $6,000 licence application fee.

On top of this licence fee there’s a $4,000 charge, also non-refundable, for a retail store authorization application — which would set the location of their shop. But Khanert says many lottery winners may hold off on this until after Jan. 22, the last date Ontario municipalities can opt out of hosting cannabis stores.

Merchants who fail to open on time will face fines of $12,500 on day one and the same amount April 15. If still shuttered on May 1, they’ll be docked $25,000 — the fine money being drawn from the required line of credit.

Betty Konc was one of many who took part in the Port Colborne's open house on whether it should allow the sale of cannabis at retail stores within city limits. The deadline to opt out of bricks-and-mortar stores is Jan. 22. — Betty Konc was one of many who took part in the Port Colborne’s open house on whether it should allow the sale of cannabis at retail stores within city limits. The deadline to opt out of bricks-and-mortar stores is Jan. 22. (James Culic/Metroland)

Khanert says the commission will deploy a large team to help any lottery winners who run into trouble, for example in securing the credit line. “This is all about doors opening in April.”

People convicted of some cannabis-related charges or members or supporters of criminal organizations are ineligible for retail licences.

A short waiting list of runners-up will be published alongside the winner’s roll, and they’ll be tapped to step in if any of the top 25 can’t meet licensing obligations, Khanert says.

Toronto, other cities say costs of legal cannabis will leave them millions of dollars short

Toronto council opts in on pot shops just as Ontario limits number to 25 because of supply shortage

But David Phillips, cannabis czar under the province’s former Liberal government, says he doubts any winners — no matter their industry or retail backgrounds — will be able to open by April 1.

“It’s a mountain too steep and too high for just about everybody,” says Phillips, who was acting head of the Ontario Cannabis Store under the former government. “Even the most prepared retail operators out there are really going to struggle to turn things around that quickly.”

Phillips, now a principal and general counsel with the public strategy firm Navigator Ltd., says the “golden ticket” winners will have to lease space, construct interiors, install security systems, buy inventory and hire and train staff — and the 10 weeks before April 1 will likely prove too short a time.

The software to run the lottery was developed specifically by the commission’s gaming laboratory, Khanert says. The lab “is quite expert in its field and in addition to that the fairness monitor KPMG (Canada) looked at it,” as well as another third party in the U.S.

Khanert says the commission did not keep a running tally of lottery entrants — who had until noon Wednesday to jump in — and will not publish results until the winners are revealed Friday evening or Saturday.

But an indication of the interest, he says, came Jan. 4 when about 3,000 people tuned in to the commission’s webinar the explaining the lottery.

Matei Olaru, CEO of the cannabis information and resource firm Lift & Co., says he’d assume entrants would run into the thousands, in large part because the stores are almost certain to be lucrative.

But Khanert says rules will prevent winners from making flips until the scheduled lottery period runs out Dec.18.

“Your selection is not transferable,” he says. “The name that is on the (lottery entry), whether that is an individual or a corporate entity, that must be the name that applies for the licence.”

A list of all entrants and where they placed in the lottery draw will also be published in the near future, Khanert says. This will be used to determine the order of later store openings until December, unless the province opens up the process beforehand, he says.

Lottery rules hold that companies and individuals — and any people or entities affiliated with them — are allowed only one entry in each of the five regions set up across the province. They can only win in one.

These include Toronto, allotted five stores; and the surrounding GTA regions, which have a total of six.

An East Region runs from Ottawa through Peterborough and cottage country (five stores); a West Region spreads out from Hamilton and Niagara, through to Lake Huron and up to Manitoulin (seven stores). Meanwhile, a North Region — which takes in the vast reaches from Nipissing over to Thunder Bay — will have a total of two.

The province had envisioned a free-for-all April opening, with any merchant who met licensing criteria able to open stores virtually anywhere. But an unexpected lack of product caused Premier Doug Ford’s government on Dec. 13 to drastically pare that back to 25 and introduce the lottery scheme.

The move was applauded by some industry players, scorned by others.

“The Ontario government was extraordinarily reckless,” says Darren Bondar, president and CEO of the cannabis store franchisor Inner Spirit Holdings. “This lottery process, where anybody and their dog can apply for $75 (the lottery entrance fee) is a complete farce,” says Bondar, whose company runs some 20 pot stores in Western Canada.

Bondar says the former, unlimited licensing rules lured companies such as his into planning and financial commitments. And the abrupt switch, he says, left his company holding about 30 superfluous leases across Ontario.

“It put a lot of companies in a very difficult position,” says Bondar, who has not decided whether to quit the leases or open cannabis accessory shops in the locations until the supply shortages end and licensing regulations are loosened.

But Omar Khan, vice-president of public affairs with Hill + Knowlton Strategies Canada, says the measured store rollout is justified given supply shortages and that it will help Ontario avoid the disastrous openings experienced in other provinces — where shops have gone bust due to insufficient wares.

“I think the government generally has moved in a cautious but appropriate direction here,” says Khan, whose company advises clients in the cannabis industry.

Nearly empty shelves greet customers at a Montreal cannabis store on Dec. 13, as supply shortages have posed a problem for retailers across Canada. (Ryan Remiorz)

Although the lottery helped the government avoid any perception of favouritism, Khan says when supplies recover, the province should move away from strict adherence to to the list of all entrants.

But Toronto lawyer Matt Maurer says Ontario might have been better off opening stores with the understanding they may not have any cannabis to sell.

“I think that’s one model and I don’t see anything wrong with that,” says Maurer, who has a cannabis practice at Torkin Manes LLP. “Go ahead and open your stores, we can’t promise you anything, but as soon as the supply crunch is alleviated you’ll have the supplies.”

Maurer says this model would favour deep-pocketed businesses who could better weather supply shortages. He says large, experienced firms can more likely deal efficiently with the heavy regulatory burden on the stores.

“It’s one thing to encourage small business, it’s another thing to allow people who have had no business experience at all suddenly walk in and try to open these stores,” he says.

Olaru, the Lift CEO, says that the province’s go-slow strategy with the stores is appropriate and reflects the approach new cannabis users should take with the drug.

“If you think about what you hear about cannabis it’s start-low (in THC concentration) and go-slow with consumption,” he says.

“And perhaps ‘start low, go slow’ with cannabis retail is also a prudent approach.”

Joseph Hall is a Toronto-based reporter and feature writer. Reach him on email: gjhall@thestar.ca

Anglais

Nostalgia and much more with Starburst XXXtreme

Published

3 années ago

août 10, 2021

admin

Get a taste of adventure with Starburst XXXtreme based on the legendary NetEnt Game. The nostalgic themes are sure to capture fans of the classic version as they get treated to higher intensity, better visuals, and features. The most significant element of the game is its volatility. Patience will not be an essential virtue considering the insane gameplay, and there is a lot of win potential involved. It retains the original makeup of the previous game while adding a healthy dose of adrenaline.

Starburst Visuals and Symbols

The game is definitely more conspicuous than before. The setting happens over a 5-reel, 3-row game grid with nine fixed win lines, which function if a succession from the left to the right reel is present. Only those players that that attain the highest win per bet line are paid. From a visual standpoint, the Starburst XXXtreme slots illustrates lightning effects behind the reels, which is not surprising as it is inherited from the original version. Available themes include Classic, Jewels, and Space. The game is also available in both desktop and mobile versions, which is advantageous for players considering the global pandemic. According to Techguide, American gamers are increasingly having more engaging gaming experiences to socialize to fill the gap of in-person interaction. Starburst XXXtreme allows them to fill the social void at a time when there is so much time to be had indoors.

Starburst XXXTreme Features

Players get to alternate on three features which are Starburst Wilds, XXXtreme Spins, and Random Wilds. The first appears on reels 2,3, or 4. When these land, they expand to cover all positions while also calculating the wins. They are also locked for a respin. If a new one hits, it also becomes locked while awarding another respin. Starburst XXXtreme offers a choice between two scenarios for a higher stake. In one scenario with a ten times stake, the Starburst Wild is set on random on reels 2,3, or 4, and a multiplier starts the respin. The second scenario, which has a 95 times stake, starts with two guaranteed starburst wilds on reels 2,3, or 4. it also plays out using respin game sequence and features. The game also increases the potential with the Random Wilds feature to add Starburst Wilds to a vacant reel at the end of a spin. Every Starburst Wild gives a random multiplier with potential wins of x2, x3, x5, x10, x25, x50, x100, or even x150.

The new feature is sure to be a big hit with the gaming market as online gambling has shown significant growth during the lockdown. AdAge indicates the current casino customer base is an estimated one in five Americans, so Starburst XXXtreme’s additional features will achieve considerable popularity.

What We Think About The Game

The gambling market has continued to diversify post-pandemic, so it is one of the most opportune times to release an online casino-based game. Thankfully Starburst XXXtreme features eye-catching visuals, including the jewels and space themes. These attract audience participation and make the gameplay inviting. The game also has a nostalgic edge. The previous NetEnt iteration featured similar visuals and gameplay, so the audience has some familiarity with it. The producers have revamped this version by tweaking the features to improve the volatility and engagement.

That is characterized by the potential win cap of 200,000 times the bet. Starburst XXXtreme does not just give betting alternatives for players that want to go big. The increase of multipliers also provides a great experience. If the respins in the previous version were great, knowing that multipliers can go hundreds of times overtakes the game to a new level.

Players should get excited about this offering. All of the features can be triggered within a single spin. Whether one plays the standard game or takes the XXXtreme spin route, it is possible to activate all of the features. Of course, the potential 200,000 times potential is a huge carrot. However, the bet size is probably going to be restricted and vary depending on the casino. It is also worth pointing out that a malfunction during the gameplay will void all of the payouts and progress. Overall, the game itself has been designed to provide a capped win of 200,000 times the original bet.

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Anglais

‘We’re back’: Montreal festival promoters happy to return but looking to next year

Published

3 années ago

juillet 23, 2021

admin

In downtown Montreal, it’s festival season.

In the city’s entertainment district, a musical act was conducting a sound check on stage Friday evening — the second day of the French-language version of the renowned Just For Laughs comedy festival. Tickets for many of the festival’s free outdoor shows — limited by COVID-19 regulations — were sold out.

Two blocks away, more than 100 people were watching an acoustic performance by the Isaac Neto Trio — part of the last weekend of the Festival International Nuits d’Afrique, a celebration of music from the African continent and the African diaspora.

With COVID-19 restrictions continuing to limit capacity, festival organizers say they’re glad to be back but looking forward to next year when they hope border restrictions and capacity limits won’t affect their plans.

Charles Décarie, Just For Laughs’ CEO and president, said this is a “transition year.”

“Even though we have major constraints from the public health group in Montreal, we’ve managed to design a festival that can navigate through those constraints,” Décarie said.

The French-language Juste pour rire festival began on July 15 and is followed by the English-language festival until July 31.

When planning began in February and March, Décarie said, organizers came up with a variety of scenarios for different crowd sizes, ranging from no spectators to 50 per cent of usual capacity.

“You’ve got to build scenarios,” he said. “You do have to plan a little bit more than usual because you have to have alternatives.”

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Anglais

MELS new major movie studio to be built in Montreal

Published

3 années ago

juillet 23, 2021

admin

MONTREAL — MELS Studios will build a new film studio in Montreal, filling some of the gap in supply to meet the demand of Hollywood productions.

MELS president Martin Carrier said on Friday that MELS 4 studio construction will begin « as soon as possible », either in the fall or winter of next year. The studio could host productions as early as spring 2023.

The total investment for the project is $76 million, with the Quebec government contributing a $25 million loan. The project will create 110 jobs, according to the company.

The TVA Group subsidiary’s project will enable it to stand out « even more » internationally, according to Quebecor president and CEO Pierre Karl Péladeau. In the past, MELS Studios has hosted several major productions, including chapters of the X-Men franchise. The next Transformers movie is shooting this summer in Montreal.

Péladeau insisted that local cultural productions would also benefit from the new facility, adding that the studio ensures foreign revenues and to showcase talent and maintain an industry of Quebec producers.

STUDIO SHORTAGE

The film industry is cramped in Montreal.

According to a report published last May by the Bureau du cinéma et de la télévision du Québec (BCTQ), there is a shortage of nearly 400,000 square feet of studio space.

With the addition of MELS 4, which will be 160,000 square feet, the company is filling part of the gap.

Carrier admitted that he has had to turn down contracts because of the lack of space, representing missed opportunities of « tens of millions of dollars, not only for MELS, but also for the Quebec economy. »

« Montreal’s expertise is in high demand, » said Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante, who was present at the announcement.

She said she received great testimonials from « Netflix, Disney, HBO and company » during an economic mission to Los Angeles in 2019.

« What stands out is that they love Montreal because of its expertise, knowledge and beauty. We need more space, like MELS 4, » she said.

There is still not enough capacity in Quebec, acknowledged Minister of Finance, the Economy and Innovation Eric Girard.

« It is certain that the government is concerned about fairness and balance, so if other requests come in, we will study them with the same seriousness as we have studied this one, » he said.

Grandé Studios is the second-largest player in the industry. Last May, the company said it had expansion plans that should begin in 2022. Investissement Québec and Bell are minority shareholders in the company.

For its part, MELS will have 400,000 square feet of production space once MELS 4 is completed. The company employs 450 people in Quebec and offers a range of services including studio and equipment rentals, image and sound postproduction, visual effects and a virtual production platform.