Gateway Casinos & Entertainment has signed a 23-year operations and services agreement with Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) to operate the casinos of the Central Gaming Bundle.
This involves leasing the Casino Rama Resort on Chippewas of Rama First Nation’s Lands and OLG Slots at Georgian Downs in Innisfil. Gateway began taking over operations immediately.
This will allow Gateway to expand into central Ontario and build a new casino in the Wasaga Beach/Collingwood area. Gateway was awarded the Southwest and Northern Gaming Bundles last year. When its newest properties are included, it will operate 11 casino properties with 4,150 employees.
Gateway CEO Tony Santo issued this statement: “I am very proud to invite our colleagues at Casino Rama Resort and OLG Slots at Georgian Downs to officially join the Gateway team today. We thank the OLG for their support and hard work throughout the transition process and we look forward to continuing our long-term partnership with them.”
Gateway says it has begun redeveloping and expanding on its already acquired properties. It has invested $26 million to create the Starlight Casino Point Edward, which will include a buffet and the Match Eatery & Public House. It also broke ground recently on the $36-million Cascades Casino in Chatham, which will also have a Match Eatery and Public House.
Gabriel de Alba, Gateway chairman, declared “Gateway is reinvesting in local communities and creating thousands of new jobs by introducing our signature gaming and restaurant brands throughout Western Canada and Ontario. The acquisition of the Central Gaming Bundle is the next milestone in Gateway’s growth strategy and significantly enhances our customer offerings in Ontario with the addition of a casino resort property that can be leveraged throughout our Ontario portfolio.”
The company plans to build three new properties, in North Bay and Kenora and Wasaga Beach/Collingwood.
