WORKING TOGETHER TO DELIVER A WORLD CLASS POKER

SERIES & WHAT IT WILL TAKE

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT

OWNERSHIP

MANAGEMENT

&

REGULATION

Fallsview Casino Resort is one of 27 properties owned by Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation and managed by Falls Management Group LP.

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (Owner)20 Dundas Street WestToronto, Ontario M5G 2C2 Canada

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) regulates the operation of casinos, slot machine facilities and internet gaming operated by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG). Key activities include:

• Approving and monitoring internal control systems, surveillance and security systems, and other operational systems for casinos, slot machine facilities and internet gaming for compliance with all regulatory requirements.

• Testing, approving and monitoring slot machines and gaming and lottery management systems. • Inspecting and monitoring casinos, slot machine facilities and internet gaming for compliance with the Gaming

Control Act, 1992, its regulations, licence requirements and other standards and requirements established by the Registrar of Alcohol and Gaming.

• Approving rules of play or changes to rules of play for games of chance conducted and managed by the OLG. • Through its Investigations and Enforcement Bureau which is under the direction of the Ontario Provincial Police,

maintaining OPP Casino Enforcement operations at all times while the casinos are open to the public. • Registering suppliers and gaming assistants.

WHAT DO WE KNOW

ABOUT THE WPT?

The World Poker Tour (WPT) is a series of international poker tournaments and associated television series broadcasting the final table of each tournament. It was started in the United States by attorney/television producer Steven Lipscomb, who served as CEO of WPT Enterprises (WPTE), the firm that controlled the World Poker Tour up to November 2009. In 2008, the WPT started offering bracelets to its event champions. Players who won a title prior to the release of the WPT Bracelet were given one retroactively.In November 2009, PartyGaming announced its acquisition of the World Poker Tour from WPTE for $12,300,000.

CAN WE BRING THE

WPT & FALLSVIEW

CASINO TOGETHER

AND CREATE A PERFECT

FIT?

Over the past eight (8) years, Fallsview Casino has played host to four (4) World Poker Tour events, which were in conjunction with Fallsview Casino events such as the North

American Poker Championships and the Fallsview Poker Classics.

Were they successful? If we only look at it from the perspective of Fallsview Casino, we would have to say yes. But if we look at it from the perspective of the WPT and the

Players, we would have to say absolutely not.

It is my opinion that a successful event is determined by numerous factors, and those factors MUST take into consideration the reason any event is created, THE PLAYERS.

Over the following pages, I have laid out what I belive to be the failures of the past events held at Fallsview Casino, and what would be required to turn it around, and

make it not only a world class poker venue for Fallsview, but one for worldwide players that want to take part in it.

*

* Indicates that this is the opinion of the writer of this document, and not that of the World Poker Tour (WPT)

Here are the

Before we could ever even contemplate building a better future for poker events to be held at Fallsview Casino, we need to understand what must be fixed.

Having said that, here is a list of negative issues that the casino & players have had to deal with over the past 8+ years.

❖ Inefficient and improper ticketing system❖ Voucher Scandals❖ Lack of Sit n Go Tables❖ Lack of Cash Games Tables❖ Shortage of Qualified Poker Dealers❖ Ridiculously Long Cash Games/Sit n Go Wait Lists❖ Poor Tournament & Poker Room Management❖ Very Poor Communication & Coordination Among Casino Staff❖ Player Caps On Events❖ Poor Tournament Structures❖ But Most Importantly, Poor Turnouts and a Very Poor Global Reputation

Ticketing System / Voucher ScandalsThe ticketing system at Fallsview Casino is not on par with other casinos across North America & Worldwide, and must change.

Players in the current state can buy unlimited tournament entry vouchers and/or earn an unlimited amount by way of winning Sit n Go Satellite seats, and this is typically accomplished by players that reside within a close proximity to the casino who have a great advantage over players who are not nearby, or reside out of province and country.

PROBLEM 1:

Vouchers are 100% TRANSFERABLE.

PROBLEM 2:

The Casino places a player entry cap on all events, which makes it very difficult for any player to make a confident decision that if they travel, they will be assured of an entry.

PROBLEM 3:

Because players can earn unlimited entries, it is impossible to determine what amount of players will actually enter and play a specific event. In other words, this creates an illusion that an event could be sold out. If players who have won multiple seats are unable to dispense (sell off) their vouchers prior to an event, we see a positive situation for Fallsview casino, but a very negative one for players that are trying to buy entry vouchers, but are being advised by Casino Staff that the event has been Sold Out.

PROBLEM 4:

Because of the flaw in the ticketing system, which allows players to buy or earn multiple vouchers, many events have Sold Out fairly quickly, and players have either been unable to buy entry vouchers from the Casino, or they have had to buy vouchers being sold anywhere from par to as much as 60% above par value. Now although no one person is forced to buy at a price above par, it is still a situation that is simply WRONG!

Sit N Go’s

Almost every tournament venue across the globe offers Sit N Go Satellites. These are events where players can earn entries into events at 1/10 the cost of buying in at the entry rate. These type of events are extremely important to the success of a venue, as it allows individuals that can not afford tournament entry costs to earn a entry at a cost that is more in line with their personal economic situation.

PROBLEM 1:

The Poker room Staff has typically allowed the Wait List to run well beyond 50 players before running the single table Sit n Go’s.

PROBLEM 2:

Local players have built relations with Poker Room Staff, and players that are on Wait Lists have been bumped to the top of these lists.

PROBLEM 3:

Players are travelling from all parts of Ontario, the rest of Canada, and from abroad, and are unable to play these Sit n Go’s within a respectable wait time. Most often, players are required to wait as long as 6 or more hours to play.

PROBLEM 4:

There are numerous occasions where the Poker Room Staff didn’t run Sit n Go’s at all.

PROBLEM 5:

According to the Poker Room Staff, there is a lack of dealers available to run Sit n Go’s as soon as 10 players are on the Wait List ready to play.

Lack of Tables

Cash Games

Almost every tournament venue across the globe offers Cash Games. These cash games allow any player an opportunity to play at a level that is suitable to their personal economic situation and game skill level. A large percentage of players play cash games to subsidize their tournament poker costs. It is extremely important that all players have an ability to access cash game tables within a reasonable amount of time.

PROBLEM 1:

Fallsview has under 20 Cash Game tables available on a regular basis.

PROBLEM 2:

Because of the lack of tables, there is an inability for the Poker Room Staff to set up games that meet the type, or buy in levels of the so many players present.

PROBLEM 3:

When players bust out from tournaments, a large percentage of these players elect to play cash games. In the current state, players that bust out have nowhere to go, and must wait upwards of 3 hours to play.

Management & Staff

From the time Fallsview hosted the first ever WPT event, the quality of information, communication and

understanding needed to run a major event, had to be at its best.

From the first time Fallsview hosted a major event, the Management and the Staff, have displayed qualities that can only be classified as “ Well Below Average” or at minimum “Well Below Expectations”

As poker players, especially those coming to an unfamiliar venue, we expect nothing but very clear and overall understanding of what the procedures are for all of the poker related activities, and these procedures MUST be presented or made available to all players in a consistent manner from Management down.

This has never occured on a consistent basis, and that is simply unacceptable. Because of this inconsistency, far too many players have missed out on playing Sit n Go’s, Super Satellites, Cash Games, and even the core of tournament events.

Player Caps

Putting player entry caps on tournaments is simply put, BAD for the game, the Casino, the WPT, and more importantly, the PLAYERS.

No matter where players are coming from, they need to know with certainty that they will be able to buy in to any event without fear.

Now many have said it is as easy as getting in touch with the Casino and buying the event entries with a credit card. Well that may sound nice, but not everyone has a credit card, and if they do, not everyone has the disposable funds on their cards to do so?

Poker players across the globe are playing in events on a regular basis and do not have the time or necessary funds available to have to buy a ticket in advance. They are using their funds to play in events that lead up to the WPT Fallsview, and will not use thier disposable funds to secure entries.

Having said the above, this has a direct negative impact on how many players will attend Fallsview versus how many players could actually attend if the CAP was not in place.

It is my belief that the final player entry counts for the Fallsview events could easily be 50% larger than they have been in the years, including 2014.

Player Turnout & Reputation

With Social Media that includes Facebook, Twitter, and Poker News Feeds being used on a daily basis by global poker players, it is apparent that Fallsview Casino is establishing itself, or may have already established itself as one of the least most desired events to attend.

With so much negativity spreading across the Internet about how poor the quality is, why would Fallsview Casino & WPT ever want to consider running future events. More importantly, why would any poker player even care?

WE WOULD CARE, because as poker players we understand that all that is needed is a solution?

With so many successful events being run by the WPT, and numerous others such as the European Poker Tour, Deepstacks Poker Tour, Heartland Poker Tour, The Borgata Hotel & Casino, and the World Series of Poker, we know it can be done, and it can be done with great success for everyone involved.

The ticketing system at Fallsview Casino can be on par with other casinos across North America & Worldwide and must change.

SOLUTION 1:

All tournament entry vouchers must be purchased with a Fallsview Casino issued Players Rewards Card.

SOLUTION 2:

Make vouchers NON TRANSFERABLE.

SOLUTION 3:

Make it so that every player can buy or redeem only one (1) tournament entry voucher per event using their Players Card.

All voucher purchases and/or redemptions must be tracked by the system to ensure that only 1 entry is issued per Players Card.

SOLUTION 3:

In the event a player has won multiple vouchers for events by way of single table Sit n Go’s, or that player has won an additional entry into an event by way of a Super Satellite, that player should be have the ability to redeem those vouchers for Cash, or at minimum, Tournament Lammers. Those tournament lammers could then be used to buy into other events, or exchanged for cash by other players.

Ticketing System / Voucher Scandals

Sit N Go’s

SOLUTION 1:

The Poker Room Staff must immediately take steps to start a Sit n Go as soon as 10 players are registered on the Wait List and available to play.

SOLUTION 2:

Many casinos have 1 to 2 individuals that are only responsable for coordination, and running of all Sit n Go tournaments. By doing this, the Staff are not burdened with additional Poker Room or Poker Event matters and can focus on ensuring players are being attended to as expected.

SOLUTION 3: As soon as there are 5 players on a Sit n Go list, the Staff responsable for Sit n Go’s should immediately take the steps to ensure that a Dealer is ready to go.

Lack of Tables

Cash Games

SOLUTION 1:

Fallsview Casino must increase the number of Cash Games tables to no less than 25 tables during the WPT events. and these tables must be a variety of ppoker games such as No Limit Hold Em, Limit Hold Em, Variations of Omaha, and possibly even variations of Stud, Low Ball and Horse. This will provide a great variety of games for players coming from the USA and other countries where mixed games are highly popular.

SOLUTION 2:

These cash game tables must offer a variety of poker games that includes No Limit Hold Em, Limit Hold Em, Variations of Omaha, and possibly even variations of Stud, Low Ball and Horse. Increasing the games types will provide a great variety of games for players coming in from the USA and other countries where mixed games are highly popular.

SOLUTION 3:

The Poker Room or Cash Games area must be able to ensure that seating for cash games will be made available within a reasonable time, which should not exceed one hour, especially during the times when tournaments are running and players are busting out.

Management & Staff

Fallsview Casino must ensure that all Management and Staff involved in these events fully understand

what is required to run a successful event.

Their knowledge of the games, the structures, the running of tournaments, and most importantly, being

able to consistently communicate proper information, procedures, rules and regulations is

integral to the success of any poker event that will be hosted by Fallsview Casino.

If Fallsview Casino can implement some to all of the recommendations outlined, this will begin to pave the way in developing a highly positive effect on the overall environment, and the relations between the players and the staff.

Player Caps

Fallsview Casino must find a way to eliminate Player Caps on their events as they are overall bad for everyone involved.

The only plausible solution to this is to introduce multiple entry days, which are now highly common in Casinos across the globe.

This requires that the Casino introduce the Day1a, Day 1b, Day 1c etc system.

How does this positively impact the venue?

1. Players can choose to start on the day that is most suitable to their schedule.

2. This allows the Casino to put a cap on each starting day versus putting a cap on the entire event.

3. By implementing multiple start days and the daily cap, the casino can control the amount of tournament tables required per day without having a detremental effect on the entire event.

Eg: Fallsview currently has a cap on the entire events ranging from 400 to 600 players. This means that the casino can effectively put between 40 and 60 tables in the tournament area. By implementing multiple start days and a daily cap of say 300, the Casino would only need 30 tables and then enables itself to have up to 900 total entries over the 3 Day 1 start system.

4. By implementing a multiple day start system with a 300 player cap per day, allows the Casino to incorporate up to 10 Sit n Go tables within the tournament area. Having 10 Sit n Go tables available will not only drastically reduce the Sit n Go wait times, it will increase the amount of tournament seats sold, which is ultimately the goal of everyone involved.

It is our belief that the Tournament Area currently used for the WPT Fallsview/Poker Classic needs to be larger to accomodate more players, or that the multiple starting day system must be implemented. If this can happen, the venue will ost definitely draw upwards of 50% more players.

Global Poker players are looking for the best possible value when they make a decision to play in any event. It all has to make sense, or it is just not worth going.

What does a player look at when he or she is making that decision?

●  Date of Events  ●  Number of Events  ●  Buy In Costs  ●  Tournament Structure●  Guaranteed Prize Pools  ●  Travel Costs  ●  Side Action  ●  Quality of Fields  ●  Tax Withholdings

When Fallsview Casino and the Management team that makes the overall decisions on running a tournament event are ready to start taking into consideration what we as players must consider before getting in our cars, on a bus, on a train or on a plane to play a tournament, that is the moment that a chance at great success will start.

The people at Fallsview Casino need to understand that we run our own businesses as well, and that we must turn a profit to be successful. If our chances at profit are exposed to so much risk, constant frustration and constant dissatisfaction, we as players are better served by placing our hard earned monies in events that provide us with a positive, fun, enjoyable and rewarding environment.

Take the time to think about our needs and wants, and then combine them with those of Fallsview Casino, and that will be the beginning of mending and developing a highly positive global reputation amongst the poker community.

Is that possible at Fallsview Casino? Absolutely

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