Gateway Casinos and Entertainment Ltd. recently announced it has been selected by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation as the service provider for the Central Gaming Bundle. Already one of Canada’s largest gambling companies, Gateway now has approval to build a casino and entertainment complex in Collingwood or Wasaga Beach, as well as manage Georgian Downs’ existing 950 slots and electronic table games for OLG Slots and run daily operations at Casino Rama Resort in the Chippewas of Rama First Nation reserve.
Wasaga Beach Mayor Brian Smith said, “The modernization of the Ontario gambling market will significantly boost the number of visitors to the region and the tourism sector, as a whole.” Collingwood Mayor Sandra Cooper also welcomes the new project, although Gateway has not yet determined the location of the new casino complex.
This is the first stage of the transition and asset purchase deal, ultimately resulting in a 23-year casino operating and services agreement between OLG and Gateway.
Gateway will take over operations at the Central Gaming Bundle this summer. All employees will be allowed to remain in their positions for at least 12 months.
Headquartered in Burnaby, British Columbia, Gateway Casinos and Entertainment also was selected to oversee OLG’s North and Southwest Gaming Bundles, which allows it to operate nine existing gambling facilities and to build two new venues in Kenora and North Bay.
Gateway operates 25 facilities in Ontario, British Columbia and Edmonton, more than double the 12 properties it operated in 2015. Among its current projects, Gateway is rebranding Palace Casino at the West Edmonton Mall to Starlight Casino Edmonton and renovating the property for $44 million. In addition, Gateway’s growth strategy includes the Starlight Casino Point Edward, the $70 million development in Delta and more renovations in Kelowna, Chances Campbell River and Chances Courtenay.
