Ontario opens Niagara casino market to new operators with $3B-plus investment call

The Ontario government and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation have launched a Call for Investment that could bring more than $3 billion in direct gaming investment to the Niagara Region, plus more than $600 million in private-sector investment, over the next 20 years.

The province says the expansion, part of its Destination Niagara Strategy, will create over 10,000 construction jobs and establish Ontario's first competitive land-based gaming market. The first phase invites experienced gaming operators to express interest, with shortlisted proponents then submitting detailed proposals for integrated casino developments. The market will open to a maximum of three new operators initially.

Each new operator must commit at least $1.5 billion and pay a $100 million entrance fee. Niagara gaming operators will face a 9.75 per cent gaming tax rate. Tourism Minister Zee Hamid said the aim is to draw visitors and jobs to the region, and OLG CEO Duncan Hannay said it will support new hotels, entertainment venues and dining alongside the existing Fallsview and Casino Niagara.