In June 1998, the Ontario Government announced plans to create four charity casinos. Before launching this ambitious project, a complete and detailed survey of the host communities was undertaken to ensure community support.
By 2000, OLGC had opened four new charity casinos in Sault Ste. Marie, Point Edward, Thunder Bay, and Brantford.
A slot machine facility was also added to the existing table game operation at Great Blue Heron Charity Casino, an aboriginal casino owned by the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. A fifth charity casino, the Thousand Islands Charity Casino, located on a parcel of land straddling Leeds and Thousand Islands and Gananoque, opened in June 2002.
Benefiting the Community
Along with providing responsible gaming entertainment, revenue from Ontario's charity casinos as well as slots at racetrack facilities and lotteries guarantees $100 million annually for the Province's charities. This money is distributed to charities through the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
The charity casino initiative has created more than 2,700 new jobs and provided business opportunities for hundreds of local suppliers and service providers. |
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