A new private owner/operator of the Point Edward Casino has been announced.
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has selected BC-based Gateway Casinos and Entertainment Limited as the service provider for both the north and southwest gaming bundles.
Corporation spokesman Tony Bitonti says Gateway will also run the OLG slots at London's Western Fair District and at the Dresden, Clinton, Hanover, and Woodstock raceways.
"So they'll be taking over, day one for them will actually be in the spring of 2017," says Bitonti. "For casinos like Point Edward, Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay they're physically buying the building."
Bitonti says the 20-year contract will guarantee all 325 jobs at the waterfront casino for at least one year.
Point Edward Mayor Bev Hand is pleased the announcement has finally been made.
"It was really refreshing to hear it's an all Canadian company and the VP has experience with the Windsor Casino, he's well versed in this business," says Hand "They're going to be in 11 different communities, it's good, it's good for us, good for everybody."
Mayor Hand hopes village officials will meet with Gateway's representatives early in the new year.
OLG will maintain oversight of the gaming facilities and continue to distribute quarterly payments to Point Edward.
