Canada cautious over new casino project

As Gateway Casinos and Entertainment Limited presented casino project, Londoner councillors responded with hesitation.

Canada.- As Gateway Casinos & Entertainment and Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) are presenting to the public their plans to develop a casino project in the city of London, in Canada, local councillors have shown hesitation about the proposal. The meeting between business owners and authorities was held last Monday.

Gateway company has proposed to install a fully equipped casino with an eight-storey hotel and an entertainment strip with restaurants, slots machines and table games. However, as concerns were shared by London’s councillors, the committee has not reached a decision yet. “I’m not satisfied that we could just say yes to a casino sitting in the middle of the city. I’m very concerned that the public has never agreed to that,” said Coun. Harold Usher. “They agreed to slot machines in the city, which is a smaller entity.”

Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited had announced that it reached a deal with OLG (Ontatio Lottery and Gaming Corporation) to invest US$200 million for properties in Ontario. The company is waiting to settle a full casino in London.

Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications Carrie Kormos, said that they’re planning a major gaming and entertainment casino property in London. “However, we are still working on our plans and it is important to be respectful of the approval process that we have with our OLG partners, with government, and with other folks,” she added.