OLG operations should be privatized, Hudak says

The leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario says the province should get out of the gaming business and hinted that liquor sales should also be privatized.

Tim Hudak said Monday the government needs to instead concentrate on core services such as health care and education and leave the liquor and gaming businesses to the private sector.

"I think people would rather see us investing in MRI scans, not buying new roulette wheels," Hudak said Monday.

Hudak also said there’s a conflict inherent in having the province act as both a promoter of gambling while running the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. He said he wants the government to remain in a regulatory role, while turning operations over to the private sector.

While Hudak would not say how much money the move would save, he said taxpayers would benefit.