Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation is a generous gambling force across the province, as it is evident by the generous allocations it offers to the host communities of its casino venues. The City of Ottawa recently expressed its appreciation to the lottery corporation and the regular portions of the Rideau Carleton Raceway Casino gaming revenue it offers. Over the last fiscal year, city coffers have welcomed CA$5.3 million thanks to the gambling operation.
Supporters of casino operation, in general, are usually fond of the possibilities of development any gambling venue could offer to its host community in the form of regular financial allocations. Such is the case with the City of Ottawa that recently issued more information about the most recent annual payment and the way it would boost carious local projects down the road. It is all possible thanks to the gambling revenue amassed by the casino location.
Casino Revenue Boosts Ottawa
Over the span of the time window between April 1, 2017, and March 31, 2019, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation has been able to offer as much as CA$5.3 million to the city coffers. Casino cash has been able to improve residents’ lives since some part of the overall sum covered the payments in various crucial departments. Ottawa Fire Services used a portion of the casino cash.
In addition to that, cultural services and long term care across Ottawa were able to benefit from the financial support provided by the gaming venue adjacent to the renown racetrack. It should also be taken into account that the larger portion of this pile of casino cash amassed over twelve months of casino operation went for other projects directly improving people’s lives.
Some CA$3.2 million was poured into parks and recreation projects across the community. Several open-air areas to the likes of Helen Redpath Thompson Park, Kinburn Park, Dalhousie South Park, Russell Boyd Park, Davidson Park received various upgrades and new perks thanks to the casino operation.
Hard Rock Rebranding Anticipated
Over the past 19 years, the lottery corporation has been able to support the community and offer more than CA$77 million in regular allocations. October 2018 saw the Ottawa Senators ink a collaboration arrangement spanning over the next five years introducing more of the Hard Rock spirit to the casino venue. With the help of a rebranding, the area would seek to attract more gaming patrons.
The year 2022 is going to see the official results of the partnership between Hard Rock Entertainment and Rideau Carleton Raceway. This expansion project would cost some CA$318 million and would bring a new hotel tower with eight floors, a 2,500-seat event venue, as well as expanded gaming offerings. The additional gaming tables would make it an equal rival to Casino du Lac Leamy in Gatineau and potentially prevent the flow of customers.
Construction of the new project is projected to commence sometime this year and if everything goes according to the previously issued plan, the rebranded and renovated district could welcome its first customers in 2022. The plans for expansion attracted the opposition expressing problem gambling concerns. Furthermore, Coun. Diane Deans representing Gloucester-Southgate Ward pointed out that the expansion could result in high traffic in the area and future issues.
