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.

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