New northern Ontario casino plans still in the works

The debate over new casinos proposed for northern Ontariohas simmered down, but the province is still in the game.

Ontario Lottery and Gaming is continuing with plans to expand casino gambling across the province and put more money in government coffers.

About three years ago, the province announced ambitious expansion plans for Ontario casinos.A private operator for the casinos was to be chosen by the end of 2013, but the contract was never put out for bids.The OLG says things have been delayed, but they're far from dead.

Crown corporation spokesperson Tony Bitonti said public attention to the matter has waned.

"It's not that sexy to talk about procurement and talk about RFPs and RFPQs," he said.

"So it perhaps has faded from the public interest, but for the gaming industry, [it's] very much alive, [and we're] very much interested."

Bidding is now open for private operators wanting to run casinos in eastern Ontario.

Bitonti said he expects a similar process for the five northern Ontario casinos including Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie,North Bay,Thunder Bay and Kenora to begin "in the coming months."