The new Cascades Casino in the south end is proving to be an “ace in the hole” for City revenues.

At the grand opening Thursday afternoon, the first quarterly gaming revenue payment of $111,134 was presented from Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation to the City for its role in hosting the new facility.

This first payment is based on casino revenue generated from March 9 to March 31, the first 23 days the casino operated.

The size of the cheque surprised Mayor Al McDonald.