The Ontario government has unveiled plans to potentially introduce more casinos in the Niagara Region by terminating current exclusivity agreements. Premier Doug Ford presented the Destination Niagara initiative in December, aiming to attract a larger number of tourists to the area through the addition of new casinos, a theme park, airport expansions, and other developments.
The interim minister of tourism, culture, and gaming in Ontario declared today that the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. has finalized a deal with MGE Niagara Entertainment Inc. to permit new casino operators to enter the market. MGE will relinquish its exclusive rights while retaining operations at Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara.
Later this year, OLG is expected to initiate a procurement process to identify potential new casino operators. However, concerns have been raised by NDP member Wayne Gates, representing Niagara Falls, regarding local opposition to a proposal under Ford’s initiative to install a second ferris wheel near the falls.
Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati expressed skepticism about Ford’s ferris wheel proposal, labeling it as a non-starter and asserting that there is little support for such an addition in Queen Victoria Park.