Two new casinos are slated for opening in the GTA, with the release of an RFP (Request for Proposal) issued by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) for a gaming operator for the new casino sites at Ajax Downs and Woodbine.

 

Much speculation has precluded the RFP, including other locations like Pickering and downtown Toronto, but the RFP makes it clear that the locations to be developed will be at Ajax Downs and at Woodbine.

 

Site plan for Ajax Downs Casino

 

Proposed site for Woodbine Casino adjacent to Woodbine Racetrack

 

The process thus far has been focused on finding operators and locations suitable for running the gaming operations for OLG in the Greater Toronto Area. With multiple delays, it's clear that finding the operators has been a difficult task. The Request for Pre-Qualification (RFPQ) that was issued to address this was finally closed last year. The RFP that will determine who this operator will be is only open to those that successfully passed scrutiny in the RFPQ.

 

The OLG has announced that the names of the parties involved will not be disclosed until the winner is announced in the summer of 2017.

 

Also included in the announcement, was a provision for the Great Blue Heron Casino in Port Perry to also be included in the bundle of properties to be included in what the OLG calls the GTA Gaming Bundle. In order for this to happen, the successful bidder will have to come to agreement with the owners of the current casino (Mississauga's of Scugog Island First Nation).

More articles on this topic:

 

AJAX DOWNS CASINO PROPOSAL MOVES FORWARD

TORONTO CASINO AT WOODBINE - THE LOCATION

NEW AJAX WHITBY CASINO OPERATOR COULD RUN TORONTO AND PORT PERRY VENUES

OLG MEDIA RELEASE FOR GTA GAMING BUNDLE RFP