20 more years of caesars windsor: ontario announces new deal with entertainment giant
jkotsis@postmedia.com what is olg and caesars? accord...
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stan cho, ontario minister of tourism, culture and gaming speaks during a press conference on friday, may 9, 2025 at caesars windsor.
dan janisse
/
windsor star
windsor’s top tourist attraction will retain its world-famous name after the province and caesars entertainment windsor reached a new agreement that the government expects to begin in 2026.
caesars entertainment will remain the service provider for caesars windsor — “on behalf of olg under an approximate 20-year operating agreement,” according to a provincial government release — after coming out on top of the ontario lottery and gaming corporation’s competitive procurement process.
“at a time when geopolitical tensions are threatening to disrupt our economy, this new agreement between olg and caesars brings stability and peace of mind for thousands of local workers in windsor,” said stan cho, minister of tourism, culture and gaming, who was in windsor friday for the announcement.
“given its strong track record, intimate knowledge of the sector, and long-standing work in the community, our government is confident that caesars will continue to serve windsor and the surrounding area well for many years to come.”
caesars has operated windsor’s casino for 17 years and employs approximately 1,800 people, making it one of the largest employers in the windsor-essex county region. the olg will require caesars entertainment windsor limited to retain the current number of casino employees for at least 18 more months.
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kevin laforet, president and ceo of caesars windsor, speaks during a press conference on friday, may 9, 2025, at the downtown casino.
dan janisse
/
windsor star
since 1994, olg has provided more than $131 million in payments to the city of windsor as a gaming host community. the funds have helped windsor invest in local priorities and economic development initiatives.
“caesars windsor and the caesars brand is a pillar of our community in windsor and the surrounding region, contributing to a strong and robust economy and providing world-class gaming, entertainment and hospitality experiences for residents and visitors,” said mayor drew dilkens.
“the organization is also a strong partner for the city of windsor, with annual funding supporting vital infrastructure projects and upgrades, road improvements, park enhancements, new playground equipment, recreational facilities, economic development initiatives and more.
“(it’s) also (provided) jobs that have a direct impact on the livelihood of many residents and their families,” dilkens said. “caesars windsor lends vibrancy to our downtown core and means so much to this community.”
provincial officials said the casino sector supports more than 12,000 jobs across ontario, with the gaming sector contributing more than $1.2 billion in net profits to the province last year.
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when it opened in 1994, windsor’s casino was the first in ontario.
caesars entertainment is responsible for the day-to-day gaming operation of the windsor casino, while olg oversees gaming at the site, to ensure high standards are upheld.
“the windsor casino was the first of its kind in ontario when it opened more than 30 years ago — and it has been a key fixture of the local economy ever since,” said olg head duncan hannay.
“we’re excited to continue to work with caesars entertainment windsor limited, an iconic global brand in gaming entertainment, to build on the success of the windsor casino and help ensure the long-term competitiveness of the windsor gaming market.”
what is olg and caesars?
according to the ontario lottery and gaming corporation, an ontario crown corporation known as olg since 2006 and owner of caesars windsor: “caesars entertainment, inc. is the largest casino-entertainment company in the u.s. and one of the world’s most diversified casino-entertainment providers. since its beginning in reno, nv, in 1937, caesars entertainment, inc. has grown through development of new resorts, expansions and acquisitions.”
olg conducts and manages ontario gaming facilities; the sale of province-wide lottery games; internet gaming; bingo and other electronic gaming at charitable gaming centres; and helps support the provincial horse racing industry. since 1975, olg has generated about $62 billion for the province of ontario.
kevin laforet, president and ceo of caesars windsor, speaks during a press conference on friday, may 9, 2025 at the downtown casino.
dan janisse
/
windsor star
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caesars windsor is shown from riverside drive on june 12, 2024. formerly known as casino windsor, ontario’s first legal casino opened in may 1994.
trevor wilhelm
/
windsor star
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