THUNDER BAY -- Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation has signed a 20-year casino operating agreement with British Columbia-based Gateway Casinos and Entertainment.
It follows the announcement last December that OLG was selling the Thunder Bay casino to Gateway, as well as a casino in Sault Ste. Marie and slot machines at the Sudbury Downs horse-racing track.
The BC company will also build new casinos in Kenora and North Bay, and was previously the successful bidder for OLG gaming facilities in southwestern Ontario.
In a news release on Tuesday, OLG said it has worked with Gateway to help ensure a smooth transition of employees to the new ownership. Gateway is required to retain transferring workers for at least 12 months in their current position and geographic location.
A three-year collective agreement signed last December by OLG and the United Steelworkers Union representing nearly 200 casino workers in Thunder Bay remains in effect.
Tuesday's announcement said Gateway is undertaking "an ambitious growth strategy" to attract new customers. This includes developing proprietary food and beverage brands.
Gateway is required to maintain quarterly payments to host communities, which in the case of Thunder Bay amounts to about $600,000.
The company says it plans to invest over $100 million in its operations across northern Ontario.
It will hold a "customer celebration" at its Thunder Bay site and other Ontario locations in the latter part of June.
