Gateways Casinos & Entertainment has confirmed that it has reached an agreement to continue operations at the Western Fair District in Ontario. The gaming leader said that it has extended its lease with the WFD and is already working on potential improvements on its Gateway Casinos London which will expand its gambling operations.
The company is a significant operator of land-based gaming amenities in Canada and it regulated several casinos across Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. It has a total of 12 casino properties across the three provinces, which provide work to more than 3,000 individuals. And with its latest agreement, the company has committed to London.
Staying at the Current Site
In a recent press release, the gaming conglomerate reported that it has an agreement with Western Fair District to remain at the current Gateway Casino London location. Grant Darling, senior vice president of operations for the company announced that the lease has been extended. Now, the firm plans to bring some innovations to the existing location.
Western Fair District CEO Reg Ash stated that the company’s decision not to change location will provide stability for his organization. Meanwhile, Incoming Ward 4 Coun. Susan Stevenson said that she was not aware of the new agreement, but she says the more jobs the better for the neighbourhood, which can also benefit local businesses due to the extra traffic.
Back in 2018, after lease negotiations with WFD hit a roadblock, the gaming company revealed plans to build a CA$55-million casino at 3334 Wonderland Road South. It would have provided work for 700 people and brought in over CA$4.5 million to the city. City hall has also green-lit the project in July 2019. But due to the unprecedented situation work at the site stopped.
In September, Walt Spivak, owner of the leased land by the gaming company said that he was not aware of the conglomerate’s decision to abandon the project. Back then the company did not confirm nor deny the reports. However, its recent agreement to continue work with WFD, makes it significantly more likely to be the case.
Ms. Stevenson said that a potential expansion of Gateway Casinos London would benefit the growing entertainment offerings in east London. Currently, the casino touts a gaming floor with 760 slots and 11 table games. Before the unprecedented situation, the city received approximately CA$4.5 million from the casino’s operations via the revenue sharing agreement.
Launching Another Premium B.C. Casino
At the end of September Gateway Casinos & Entertainment increase its casino properties in B.C. by one. It officially launched operations at its Cascades Casino Delta located at 6005 BC-17A close to Highway 99 with Highway 17A. The casino stretches over 160,000 square-foot, and it features a 42,000-square-foot gaming floor. It offers over 500 slot machines, 18 live table games, and four to six electronic table games.
Source: Newcombe, Daryl “Stakeholders weigh in on location of Gateway Casinos” CTV News London, November 9, 2022
