Over $8M paid to Durham Region municipalities for job creation and development

Today, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation announced that several Durham Region municipalities will receive over $8 million to aid in job creation, infrastructure development and economic recovery. 

In a news release, OLG said it made fourth-quarter (Jan. 1 to March 31) payments to Pickering, Ajax, and the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. 

Pickering was paid $3,714,835 for hosting Pickering Casino Resort. During OLG’s fiscal year (April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024), the city received a total of $17,944,964.  Since the gaming site opened in July 2021, Pickering has received $42,429,023, according to OLG.

OLG also made a payment of $640,847 to the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation (MSIFN) for hosting the Great Blue Heron Casino. In OLG’s first quarter, the MSIFN received $3,022,366. MSIFN has received $33,718,341 since its casino opened in May 2000. 

OLG’s most recent payment to Ajax totalled $698,802 for operating Casino Ajax. During the first quarter, Ajax received $4,615,693. Since the gaming site opened in February 2006, it has received a total of $107,117,397. 

OLG says these payments are based on a formula consistently applied across all gaming sites in Ontario using a graduated scale of gaming revenue at the hosted site. 

“For decades, profits from gaming have been an important source of funding for Ontario communities, helping to deliver vital services and making a real difference for gaming host municipalities,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge, in a news release. 

“This is one of the many different ways Ontario continues to create good-paying, local jobs that play a critical role in supporting our economy, while ensuring a socially responsible gaming environment for people to enjoy.”

OLG says 100 per cent of its profits are reinvested in the province.

Since 1994, host communities have received more than $2.1 billion in non-tax gaming revenue.