CASINO
SHARES TO TWO MUNICIPALITIES REACH $1.5 MILLION
EACH
Leeds and Thousand Islands and Gananoque
have received a total of $830,280 for hosting
the Thousand Islands Charity Casino for the April
to June, 2003 period, Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob
Runciman announced today.
Under the host agreement, the municipalities
of Leeds and Thousand Islands and Gananoque share
five per cent of the gross slots revenue. Since
the casino opened on June 20, 2002 the municipalities
have each received shares of $1,562,028. Payments
are made on a quarterly basis according to the
government fiscal year (April – March).
“Today’s payment underscores
the Ernie Eves government’s cautious, responsible
approach to gaming which continues to generate
valuable economic benefits for host communities
of charity casinos,” said Runciman. “Job
creation has been one of the greatest benefits
to these municipalities – more than 450
new jobs have been created by Thousand Islands
Charity Casino, with a payroll of more than $12
million.”
OLGC has issued more than $17.7
million in first-quarter non-tax gaming revenue
payments to 20 host communities of charity casinos
and slots-at-racetrack facilities.
“This first-quarter payment
for fiscal 2003/2004 means that we have distributed
more than $211 million to our host communities,
since these programs were launched,” said
Ron D. Barbaro, OLGC Chair and CEO. “This
is a terrific tribute to the strong partnerships
we have developed with our host municipalities
and to the high quality of gaming entertainment
offered in the province.”
Thousand Islands Charity Casino
has attracted more than one million visitors –
an average of approximately 2,800 patrons per
day – since it opened.
Revenue from Ontario’s charity
casinos supports $100 million annually for the
province’s charities. This money is distributed
to charities through the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
A portion of the annual gross revenue
from slot machines at charity casinos and slot
facilities at racetracks goes to the Ministry
of Health and Long-Term Care for problem gambling
research, treatment, prevention and public awareness.
The amount for fiscal 2003/2004 is estimated at
$36 million.
Thousand Islands Charity Casino
is owned, operated and managed by OLGC.
Go for fun, not for broke. Play
responsibly.
THE ONTARIO PROBLEM GAMBLING HELPLINE 1-888-230-3505
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