Kenora is about to welcome its first commercial casino location in 2022, as Gateway Casinos and Entertainment confirmed recently. A tentative project completion date has been pinpointed, aiming to solidify the ground where the project stands at the moment. Kenora is expected to have its commercial casino location by the beginning months of 2022 with construction supposedly beginning at the start of 2021.
A commercial casino complex has many ways in which it could support its host community and make it a much more attractive destination for people hailing from near and far. This means regular gaming revenue allocations redirected to Kenora’s coffers, various taxes paid to the city, as well as the increasing number of individuals traveling just to try their luck or enjoy a family-friendly offering.
Projections of Casino Development
Gone are the days when casinos were simply a room filled with slot machines and nothing else to add to the experience. Nowadays, casino operators are willing to introduce various events, grans performances, and thrilling stand-up comedy shows on their premises, as to diversify the patrons making their way there. Kenora would soon experience this to its full extent, as Gateway Casinos recently confirmed its desire to operate there.
The new casino complex would amount to CA$21 million and bring diverse gaming opportunities closer to the people The facility itself is projected to amount to 23,300 square feet at its completed stage, giving people enough space to enjoy the vast array of gaming titles available at Gateway Casinos’ locations. The gaming floor itself is about to span over 6,200 square feet and feature about 200 slot devices ready for gaming.
The future venue is about to feature slot machines only but gaming tables might be introduced at a later point of its development. As for the family-friendly offerings available on site, Gateway Casinos is about to bring the signature Match Eatery & Public House with its premium food offerings and more.
Gateway Casinos Seeking Land
November 2019 saw a special City Council meeting looking into the subject and discussing the issue about the casino property itself. Locals would prefer a casino complex away from the residential neighborhoods of Kenora. The former Abitibi Mill’s property was eyed as a potential area of future construction and casino operation. The November 19, 2019 City Council meeting reviewed a petition with upwards of 700 signatures opposing casino complex construction on that particular site.
Local officials approved a resolution that would make it possible for Ninth Street and Veterans Drive to host commercial, light industrial and residential development only. About seven years ago, Kenora’s City Council gave its approval of a casino project in the area. Robert Mitchell, Gateway Casinos Spokesperson said that for the time being the casino operator has yet to complete its land acquisition.
Back in 2016, the casino operator acquired the North Gaming Bundle for CA$79 million and gained the opportunity to manage OLG Slots at Western Fair District, Clinton Raceway, Dresden Raceway, Hanover Raceway, Sudbury Downs, and Woodstock Raceway. Moreover, Gateway Casinos oversaw casino venues to the likes of OLG Casino Point Edward, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie.