Communities across Ontario have benefitted from working with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation for nearly 50 years. Now, the OLG is being honoured for its contribution to communities.
Since its foundation in 1975, the crown corporation has provided some $57 billion to the people and province of Ontario. More recently, as part of the Municipality Contribution Agreement — an arrangement meant to benefit regions that house retail casinos in Ontario — the OLG has re-invested more than $2 billion in non-tax gaming revenue into its host communities.
The latest install of payments, totalling just over $43 million went out to 29 communities following Q1 2023.
“Host communities support important community programs and services and strengthen their local infrastructure with these gaming revenues,” said Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy in a press release. “These financial supports help fund the vital programs and services that residents can depend on for their future.”
Two host communities reciprocate with OLG appreciation event
On Sept. 13, the town of Gananoque and the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands held an invitation-only garden party at Gananoque’s Town Hall Square to express their gratitude to the OLG.
Together, the municipalities benefit from hosting the Shorelines Casino Thousand Islands located in Gananoque. For the year, each host received $1,145,047 from the OLG, amounting to $2,290,094 altogether.
Several speakers took the opportunity to celebrate the OLG and Great Canadian Entertainment, which operates the Shorelines Casino, for their continued financial commitment to both small towns. The list of orators also included MPs, MPPs, local officials, and OLG representatives:
- John Beddows, Mayor of Gananoque
- Corinna Smith-Gatcke, Mayor of Leeds and the Thousand Islands
- MP Michael Barrett, Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes
- MPP Steve Clark, Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes
- Kathleen Devin, Senior Municipal Relations Manager at the OLG
- Brian Mabee, Town Crier
Representatives from local community groups supported by the annual funding, such as the Gananoque Skating Club, The Gananoque Royals, and the Thousand Islands Association were also among the invited guests.
Funding covers wide variety of community projects
Members of the exclusive OLG host community clan are free to direct their funds towards whatever community initiative they please.
For example, in February of this year, Peterborough used part of the $1.6 million they received to build a new outdoor skating rink. What’s more, the city is already looking ahead to next year’s instalment, which will go towards its urban forest initiative.
The following month, Pickering announced its plan to share casino revenue with Durham to support social housing projects.
Traditionally, the City of Niagara has received the most lucrative annual payouts from the OLG. Currently, the tourist hotspot hosts two of Ontario’s largest casinos, Casino Niagara and Fallsview Casino Resort.