TORONTO - The Ontario Convenience Stores Association (OCSA) sent a letter last week to the Premier of Ontario, Dalton McGuinty, expressing disappointment with his administration??s recent announcement to move forward with online gaming in Ontario.

The administration is seeking to offer all forms of gaming online, including lotto and scratch-type offerings, a move that OCSA maintains will have a significant and detrimental impact on convenience store traffic.

"The Ontario Convenience Stores Association (OCSA) is deeply disappointed the government made no effort to engage our association in the decision making process prior to launching its consultations on internet gaming," the letter began. "Given our 30 year relationship with Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), and the millions spent installing, upgrading and maintaining nearly 10,000 lottery terminals in convenience store retail locations over the years; we hoped the government would have been more forthcoming.

Despite the government??s announcement that there will be a 12-18 month consultation period that will involve OCSA participation, the association said the decision to move forward has already been decided.

"We are particularly concerned this move to allow internet gaming in Ontario is predetermined regardless of the findings from these consultations. OLG has a strong history of only building gaming facilities in communities after extensive consultation - and we fear it is abandoning that trust."

The OCSA has requested a personal meeting to ensure that its members?? interests are respected.