B.C.-based Gateway gets approval from OLG, will take over 9 Ontario casinos

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation has selected Gateway Casinos and Entertainment to run five casinos in northern Ontario, as well as six in the province's southwest.

In a statement released today, OLG said they expect Gateway will take over day-to-day operations in spring 2017.

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In the north, Gateway takes over casinos in Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay and Sudbury and has the opportunity to open new facilities in Kenora and North Bay.

The proposed new casinos will be subject to required approvals, including the provincial government's.

According to the OLG's statement, casino employees will transfer to Gateway and the new employer will work to ensure they have as smooth and seamless a transition as possible.

This includes a requirement for Gateway to retain employees for a period of no less than 12 months in their current position and geographic location, and to provide eligible employees with benefits and a registered pension plan.

Gateway has over 4,000 employees and operates 18 gaming properties with 222 tables and over 6,700 slot machines in western Canada.

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