Ontario makes Q1 gaming revenue payments to casino host municipalities

Ontario

Mark Keast, CDC Gaming

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has made CA$43,605,447 (US$31,678,917) in quarterly installment payments to 29 Ontario communities that host land-based gaming facilities.

“Investing OLG’s profits back into host communities is another example of our government’s continued efforts to strengthen local infrastructure and community programs,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, in a statement. “We remain focused on working with our municipal partners to ensure that communities across Ontario have the supports in place to empower their residents to lead active, fulfilling lives and enable local businesses to thrive.”

Communities receive a share of revenues under a formula that’s the same across the province. The payments are based on a graduated scale of slot revenue and a share of table-game and sportsbook revenue for those sites that offer those services.

Under the agreement, municipalities receive 5.25 percent on the first $65 million of slot revenue, 3.0 percent on the next $135 million of slot revenue, 2.5 percent on the next $300 million of slot revenue, 0.5 percent on slot revenue above $500 million, 4.0 percent of table-game revenue (if applicable), and 4.0 percent of sportsbook revenue (if applicable).

The revenues help support local programs and critical infrastructure, making a real difference for gaming host municipalities. Since 1994, host communities have received more than $2.1 billion in non-tax gaming revenue.

Also, since 2017, $2.2 billion in private-sector capital has been invested throughout the province by casino service providers. Those investments have led to the development and launch of seven new casinos, one planned development, and numerous casino expansions.