A British Columbia company will take over the day-to-day operation of multiple regional gaming centres in Ontario, including the slots at Western Fair District.
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) announced on Tuesday that Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited will begin operating the slots in London, Woodstock, Clinton, Dresden, Hanover, and Point Edward. In the north, the company will gain control of the slots at Sudbury Downs and casinos in Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie.
“Today’s announcement of a service provider for the North and Southwest Gaming Bundles is a significant step forward in OLG’s modernization," said Stephen Rigby, OLG’s president and CEO. "The investments Gateway will make in the bundles will help ensure the best possible gaming experience for customers while OLG continues to deliver on its commitment to the people and province of Ontario."
In London, the Western Fair District has been the landlord to the OLG Slots operation since opening in the city in 1999. It will continue as the facility's landlord.
"We anticipate some extensive renovations to accommodate a multitude of gaming offerings," said Hugh Mitchell, CEO of the Western Fair District. "We have yet to sit down with Gateway to work through the details but the customer will see a significant enhancement."
Gateway will be responsible for day-to-day operations, re-branding, and staffing at the facilities over the next 20 years. Plans are also in the works to build new gaming centres in Kenora and North Bay.
Under the new deal, Gateway will have to retain all current employees at the nine gaming centres for at least 12 months. The private company, which began in Vancouver, BC in 1992, operates 18 gaming properties and has 4,000 employees. With business partners, Gateway operates 43 restaurants and 1,000 hotel rooms across Canada.
London will continue to receive a percentage of the gaming revenue generated at the slots at Western Fair District.