Agreement with MGE will allow other casino operators to enter the region
The Canadian province of Ontario is set to grow its land-based casino market after reaching an agreement with MGE Niagara Entertainment.
MGE Niagara Entertainment, which is owned by Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, holds the exclusive right to gaming in the Niagara Falls region.
Under the terms of the agreement, MGE will waive its exclusivity and allow other operators to provide gaming in the region.
“Niagara has long been one of Ontario’s premier tourism destinations, and we’re working to unlock its full potential and attract more visitors and investment for decades to come,” said Doug Downey, Ontario’s interim Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “Our government is creating the conditions for long-term growth by building on the region’s strengths and unlocking new opportunities for businesses, workers and communities across Niagara.”
MGE will continue to operate Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara on behalf of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), with OLG planning to launch a procurement process later this year to identify potential new gaming operators.
“OLG and MGE are continuing our strong partnership and shared commitment to the Niagara community,” said Duncan Hannay, president and CEO of OLG. “We are excited about what the future could hold as we work together to help realize the full potential of Niagara’s casino business and the economic benefits that flow from it.”
The new casinos will strengthen Ontario’s ‘Destination Niagara Strategy’, which aims to attract 25 million visitors to the region annually and generate an additional $3 billion for Ontario’s GDP each year.
Since 1996, OLG has provided more than C$256 million to the City of Niagara Falls for hosting Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara.
Richard Taylor, president of Niagara Casinos, commented: “Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara have been economic drivers in the Niagara Region for almost 30 years. We are proud to be part of the Niagara community and are committed to the future growth of the area.
“We welcome economic growth including new development and working collaboratively with the OLG and the Province to support the Destination Niagara vision. Collectively, we will work to further Niagara as a premier Canadian tourism destination aligned with the strengths and potential of our region.”