Despite provincial shutdowns affecting revenue, the City of Windsor has still benefitted from having Caesars Windsor.
Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG), which oversees casino gambling in Ontario, has issued a non-tax payment to the City of $2,158,545, for the third quarter of 2021.
OLG provides quarterly payments to municipalities that host gaming facilities, using a prescribed formula that is based on a graduated scale of gaming revenue for each facility.
"We are happy that host gaming municipalities received payments this past quarter through Municipality Contribution Agreements," said Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy. "Once public safety restrictions are lifted again, land-based casinos will continue to play a vital role in the economic recovery of our communities."
COVID-19 continued to have a negative effect on gaming revenue, even after the provincial government previously lifted capacity restrictions on October 25, 2021. Casinos across Ontario, including Caesars Windsor, have been closed again, but Premier Doug Ford announced Thursday that casinos, bingo halls, and adult gaming facilities can reopen January 31 at half-capacity.
Since Caesars Windsor opened its permanent casino in 1994, the City of Windsor has received a total of $72-million from the OLG in non-tax gaming revenue.
