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New Casino London Ontario

By Kirk DickinsonJuly 30, 2019 9:27pm

When the new casino opens, slots and table games at the Western Fair will be shut down and workers transferred to the new site. The official ground-breaking ceremony of Starlight Casino London is about to take place by the end of January at the Wonderland Road South site. Over the next few weeks, ground preparation will be completed. Despite casinos being included in Stage 3 of the province’s reopening plan, Gateway Casinos London won’t be opening its doors Monday. Rob Mitchell, director of communications and public affairs.

Despite raising several issues about a lack of public consultation, London Council has given its stamp of approval to allow a new casino to be built in the city’s southwest.

City council voted 9-4 in favour of rezoning of the property and approving the proposed site plan for Gateway Casinos and Entertainment to build a new $75 million casino at a site on Wonderland Road, north of Wharncliffe Road.

Debate surrounding the rezoning and site plan of the casino had many councillors divided on how to proceed, with some urging fellow councillors to vote on an amendment to allow for further public consultation on the site planning process. City staff estimated that a further public consultation on the site plan would delay the process by several weeks.

Councillor Maureen Cassidy expressed concern that not enough members of the community were given an opportunity to have their voices heard.

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“This is a very big matter for the city of London and the region, including neighbouring First Nations communities. A public site plan meeting allows the public to weigh in,” said Cassidy, who added that only 11 notices went out for public consultation due to city rules that regulate how far applications are distributed from the planned site. “This is a city-wide issue… a lot more than 11 properties are impacted by this.”

Councillor Elizabeth Peloza also said her constituents had come to her with concerns about a possible increase in traffic and crime once the casino is operational.

The amendment was defeated, however, with Mayor Ed Holder arguing prior to the vote that any further delays to the project could result in Gateway deciding to build its casino elsewhere.

“This isn’t an issue about whether gambling should be legal in London — about 20 years ago that issue was decided. This isn’t an issue about expanding gambling — that issue was approved by the last council,” said Holder. “When you understand how business works, particularly as this process has taken longer than some might imaging… Gateway has a choice — they can go north of the 401 or they can go south. And what’s at stake? $75 million of construction with the construction jobs associated with it. That’s hundreds of jobs.”

He pointed out that $7 million a year in city revenue, along with the the 700 jobs that the new casino is expected to create, would have also been at risk.

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“Every economic indicator says this makes sense for us… time delays mean real money,” he said.

While Holder said it is largely the responsibility of OLG, council did approve another amendment 11-2 that will allow for public consultation with nearby First Nations communities regarding the new casino. However, development and construction of the new entertainment complex will proceed as planned.

The site of the new casino was first proposed at the Western Fair District, where the existing Gateway casino is located. However, debate lasted more than two years with the gaming company ultimately purchasing the land on Wonderland Road South. Operations at the Western Fair District casino are expected to cease once the new casino opens, with staff moving to the new location on Wonderland Road.

The “Starlight Casino” is expected to include 900 slot machines, 40 table games, live music and multiple restaurants. Gateway has billed the casino as the single largest investment the British Columbia-based company has made in Ontario.

The company recently opened a new $36 million casino in Chatham-Kent earlier this month.

  • Rigorous health & safety procedures
  • New reservation and virtual queue system to promote safe distancing
Casinos

October 6, 2020 – Gateway Casinos & Entertainment (Gateway) is pleased to announce that it will re-open select properties in Ontario as part of the province’s Stage 3 guidelines. Beginning on Thursday, October 8, locations in Woodstock, Clinton and Hanover will re-open and all other Gateway locations – except for Casino Rama Resort – will re-open on Saturday, October 10. Under this framework, all properties will be restricted to the government mandated maximum of 50 guests, and will only include slot machines. Table games will not be operational and non-gaming amenities will be very limited.

At opening and in the coming days, we will be operating with a reservation and invitation system for our customers only. Due to the 50-customer capacity restrictions, properties will be open to invited My Club Rewards members only. Invited members will be notified by email with details on how to make reservations.

“We are excited to be able to re-open our Ontario properties and welcome back some of our team members and customers. The health and well-being of our employees and guests is our top priority,” said Tony Santo, CEO at Gateway Casinos. “We look forward to fully re-opening and welcoming more of our guests back in the future as capacities are increased and restrictions are lifted.”

Maintaining a clean environment is a year-round priority and it is regular practice to clean all hard surfaces, such as door handles and tables. Under the current environment, Gateway is being hyper-vigilant in our cleaning protocols throughout our properties to prevent the spread of transmittable illnesses, including COVID-19.

Gateway has implemented a new reservation and virtual queue system that will allow guests to book their play time online, check-in upon arrival and safely wait in their vehicles until we are ready for their entry. “This system will allow our staff to properly prepare the gaming floor for our guests, and ensure there is no congestion at the entrance as they wait to enter,” said Santo. “Things may look and feel a little different around the property, but we remain committed to making your visit enjoyable.”

For more information on the Company’s health and safety protocols, click here.

PropertyRe-Opening DateHours of Operation
Playtime HanoverOctober 89:00am – 1:00am
Gateway Casinos WoodstockOctober 89:00am – 1:00am
Gateway Casinos ClintonOctober 89:00am – 1:00am
Cascades Casino ChathamOctober 810:00am – 2:00am
Starlight Point EdwardOctober 1010:00am – 2:00am
Gateway Casinos SarniaOctober 109:00am – 1:00am
Gateway Casinos LondonOctober 108:00am – Midnight
Gateway Casinos SudburyOctober 1010:00am – 2:00am
Gateway Casinos Sault Ste MarieOctober 109:00am – 1:00am
Gateway Casinos Thunder BayOctober 109:00am – 1:00am
Gateway Casinos InnisfilOctober 1010:00am – 2:00am
Casino Rama ResortCLOSED

For re-opening information including details on all amenities and opening hours, please visit the individual property website or follow them on social media.

New Casino London Ontario

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Media Contact:

Gateway Casinos & Entertainment:

Casino Ontario Ca

Rob Mitchell

Director, Communications & Public Affairs

226-235-6548

About Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited

New Gateway Casino London Ontario

Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited (“Gateway”) is one of the largest and most diversified gaming and entertainment companies in Canada with 26 gaming properties in British Columbia and Ontario and two additional properties in Edmonton, Alberta. Across its entire portfolio, Gateway currently employs over 8,000 people and features approximately 421 table games (including 48 poker tables), 14,162 slots, 82 food and beverage outlets and 561 hotel rooms. A multi-pronged growth strategy has seen Gateway diversify and expand its product offering, including developing proprietary casino and restaurant brands, dramatically improving the gaming customer experience while attracting new customers. Some of Gateway’s proprietary brands include Match Eatery & Public House, Atlas Steak + Fish and the new Halley’s Club. In 2017, Gateway celebrated 25 years in the business ofgaming and entertainment in Canada. Additional information is available at www.gatewaycasinos.com.* All figures as at February 13, 2020