Ajax, Great Blue Heron casinos receive Q1 revenue payments

The Town of Ajax and the Mississaugas of Scugog Island were at the bank recently cashing cheques from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission (OLG) for first quarter gaming revenue payments totaling $2,683,406.

Ajax received their Q1 (April 1 – June 30) cheque for $1,705,003 for hosting Ajax Casino. The Mississaugas of Scugog Island were given their payment of $978,403 for hosting Great Blue Heron Casino for the same period.

Since the Ajax Casino opened in February 2006, Ajax has received $99,164,164. Great Blue Heron, which has been open since May 2000, has benefitted the First Nation $28,014,947 in those 20 years.

OLG first quarter payments to all 28 communities that host gaming facilities in Ontario totalled $43,420,036.

These payments to host communities are based on a formula consistently applied across all gaming sites in Ontario using a graduated scale of gaming revenue at the hosted site.

“OLG’s land-based casinos are once again providing an important stream of revenue to gaming host communities through Municipality Contribution Agreements,” said Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy. “Municipalities rely on this funding to maintain essential programs and services, and to help improve the lives of people across Ontario.”

Since 1994, host communities have received more than $1.86 billion in non-tax gaming revenue.