The popular Caesars Windsor casino and hotel, owned by the province of Ontario, has been managed by Caesars Entertainment Incorporated for a long time, but the deal is due to expire in 2025, and Caesars is not the only company interested in being granted the operating license.
According to the regulations, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation will get to choose the operator for the upcoming period in the coming months, and both Bally’s Corporation and Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment have expressed their interest.
The massive 100,000-square-foot casino, which hosts 2,200 slot games and over 80 gaming tables, has consistently attracted millions of visitors from Canada and abroad, contributed nearly $60 million to the community, and employed 2,000 people for three decades.
The fate of the property will be decided soon, and while Caesars Entertainment remains the frontrunner in the licensing race, it is clear that the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation will be looking for the best operator who promises the most growth and is willing to accept the new terms of engagement.
New Deal Will Include New Terms
While Caesars Windsor has, without a doubt, been run with a lot of success by Caesars Entertainment Incorporated in the past, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation seems very keen to re-negotiate the deals of each of the 30 live casinos in its ownership.
With the current deal for the operation of Caesars Windsor expiring next year, GGB News reports the Corporation will be looking to set new terms for future operator, which will include a fixed annual payment and commitment to future investments instead of the current cash-split deal.
While the exact details of the annual payment requirements have not yet been disclosed, there is some chance that this particular term becomes a stumbling stone in the negotiations between the Corporation and the potential operators.
Three Serious Contenders Arise
Three major gaming companies have shown interest in operating the property starting next year, with Caesars, Bally’s, and Mohegan Sun all having a proven track record in operating major gambling venues across the US and Canada.
Yet, members of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation have made it clear they want an operator who has a serious digital platform, as well as an appealing rewards program, with the likes of Caesars Rewards and BetMGM Rewards coming to mind.
Of the three entities looking to be the potential licensees moving forward, Bally’s may have problems proving the value of its digital products, while Mohegan Sun’s rewards program may not be substantial enough to compete with Caesars Rewards.
However, the latter has a strong relationship with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, as it already operates Ontario’s Casino Niagara and Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort. BetMGM Ontario is one of the best online casinos in Ontario and has operated there since the market opened in 2023.
The operator will be looking to build upon this relationship when the decision time comes, hoping to expand its Ontario portfolio and become the operator of Caesars Windsor, which could potentially operate under a new name as early as 2025.
As things stand right now, Caesars Entertainment remains the frontrunner in the race, and given both local support and superior digital products and rewards program, is likely to retain its operating license under amended terms for many years to come.
