The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has received another cheque from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG).
The $326,705 payment is for non-tax gaming revenue earned in the last three months of 2021 at Cascades Casino in Chatham.The OLG said Chatham-Kent has received more than $14.1 million in non-tax revenue since April of 2001.
"OLG makes payments to host communities under the Municipality Contribution Agreements, using a prescribed formula consistently applied across all sites in Ontario that is based on a graduated scale of gaming revenue at the hosted site or sites," said the agency in a statement.
Gaming sites were opened throughout the third quarter, but with rigorous public health and workplace safety measures. The OLG said despite capacity restrictions being lifted on October 25, 2021, COVID-19 still hurt gaming revenues.
“We are happy that host gaming municipalities received payments this past quarter through Municipality Contribution Agreements,” said Ontario's Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy. “Once public safety restrictions are lifted again, land-based casinos will continue to play a vital role in the economic recovery of our communities.”
Gaming sites are temporarily closed due to provincial restrictions that began on January 5, 2022. This current closure is expected to remain in effect until at least January 26, 2022.
OLG said the health and safety of customers, employees and host gaming communities remains a priority for them and their service providers.