After the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) said in October that it would accept bids from gaming companies to run Caesars Windsor, recent reports show that only three companies might get the chance.
This is a big deal because it could mean a big change for the casino – the first one in 30 years. Some of the biggest gaming companies in North America want to be the ones in charge.
The OLG started this bidding process to pick a really good company to handle the casino every day. They want to make sure the casino stays competitive and keeps bringing in money for the local area and all of Ontario.
If the deal goes through, OLG could make a lot of money. The Globe and Mail says the selection process is almost done, with three companies being considered for the license.
Changes Coming to Caesars Windsor?
Caesars Windsor is a popular spot, with millions of people visiting every year from both Canada and Michigan. It has been open since 1998 and has lots of slot machines, table games, a big hotel, restaurants, and more. The casino provides jobs for over 2,000 people and helps the city’s economy a lot.
Right now, Caesars Entertainment runs the casino and wants to keep doing that. But there are two other companies, Bally’s Corp. and Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment, competing for the job. Caesars is well-known for running casinos in the U.S., including Las Vegas and Atlantic City, and has an online casino called Caesars Online Casino. Bally’s is in Rhode Island and runs casinos in different places like Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment, connected to Connecticut’s Mohegan tribe, operates the Mohegan Sun casino and already runs other casinos in Canada.
What’s Happening Next with Windsor?
OLG and the gaming companies haven’t said much about what’s going on. The decision should come by fall, and the new operator is expected to start running the casino in 2025.
People Want Caesars to Stay
The union for the casino’s workers, Unifor Local 444, supports Caesars continuing to run the casino. President Dave Cassidy thinks Windsor Caesars has done a good job and should be the top choice. Windsor’s Mayor Drew Dilkens also wants Caesars to stay. But OLG, which oversees 18 casinos in the province, has the final say. The outcome is still unclear as OLG thinks about what’s best for Windsor’s casino.
