News Release

FREDERICTON (CNB) - The Lotteries Commission of New Brunswick today announced that four proponents have submitted proposals to construct, equip and operate a destination casino complex in the province.

Finance Minister Victor Boudreau said he was pleased that there are a good number of companies which have submitted bids.

"In a province of our size, this is an excellent representation of interested bidders," Boudreau said. "The next step is the evaluation of the proposals. We are pleased that the RFP process is proceeding according to plan."

The proponents are as follows (in alphabetical order):

Proponent:
CEI Investment (New Brunswick) Corp.
Team Members:
Carabetta Enterprises, Inc.
Century Resorts International Ltd.

Proponent:
Dieppe Resort and Casino Limited
Team members:
Buttcon Energy Inc.
Dundee Realty Corporation
ADI Group Inc.

Proponent:
Maritime Casino ULC
Team members:
Paragon Gaming Inc.
New Millenium Equities, Inc.
Ashford DG Holdings, Inc.
Cyr Holdings, Inc.
Marriott Hotel International

Proponent:
Sonco Gaming New Brunswick Limited Partnership
Team Members:
Sonco Gaming New Brunswick Limited
Navegante Group Inc.
Clairvest Group Inc.
2050631 Ontario Inc.

The next stage is for the proposals to undergo a rigorous evaluation. Teams will evaluate the proposals against pre-set criteria. The evaluations will also go in front of a due diligence panel. The entire process is being monitored by KPMG, an international process consultant who is also acting as the fairness monitor for the initiative.

On Nov. 8, 2007, the Province announced its new Responsible Gaming Policy. The policy was based on several pillars which included cutting the number of video lottery terminals in the province from 2,650 to 2,000; increasing its responsible gaming programs and research; strengthening its charitable gaming policy and issuing an RFP for a destination casino. The casino complex is expected to be operational no later than Dec. 31, 2010.

New Brunswick would be the eighth province to have a destination casino complex in Canada. Proponents were asked to include ancillary services in the proposal which could include but not be limited to: a standard-bred horse racing facility, hotel, performance theatre, meeting or trade convention facility, special events venues, restaurants, lounges or specialty restaurants, or recreation facilities. A copy of the Responsible Gaming Policy can be found at: http://www.gnb.ca/0162/gaming/gaming_policy-e.asp.