Slots In Sarnia
Jun 11, 2019 At the time of the shutdown, Hiawatha Slots had 450 slot machines and employed 140 people. Seven months ago, the Conservative government announced slots will return to Hiawatha, Kawartha Downs and Ajax Downs. In early November, Premier Doug Ford was in Sarnia touring the racetrack and said he’d be back to cut the ribbon when the slots reopened.
By Colin GowdySlots With 494 slot machines across one floor, you’ll be sure to find an old favourite or play an exciting new one. Our Slot Games From the casual player to the high roller, our Slots floor offers a wide selection of new arrivals and classic games. Gateway Casinos Sarnia has opened at Hiawatha Horse Park in Southwestern Ontario after the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) ended the slots-at-racetracks program in the province some eight years ago. Operated by Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited, the 53,100 square foot facility officially opened for business on January 30, 2020. - The familiar sounds of slot machines are once again filling the air at Hiawatha Horse Park. After the OLG ended the program in 2012, Gateway Casinos officially opened it’s new. Gateway Casino in Sarnia! Be one of the first to visit Gateway Casino (formerly Point Edward). With dramatically improved gaming customer experience this casino has been improved from top to bottom with new machines, entrances, eateries, and more. Now with the largest casino package, they have ever given. Receive $25(CAN) back in slot play.
October 25, 2018 11:43amThe slots are coming back to Hiawatha Horse Park.
Slots In Sarnia Golf
Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey made the announcement at the London Line track Thursday morning.
He said the Doug Ford government has reached an agreement in principle to reestablish slot machines at Hiawatha, as well as Kawartha Downs and Ajax Downs, and provide additional funding to continue horse racing.
Horse park owner Jim Henderson said they’ve recently been averaging about 1,000 people a race.
He said before the slots were taken away in 2012, their numbers were significantly higher.
“Oh, we were always 2,000 people,” said Henderson. “We had full buffets running and the place was packed. We had 3,000 to 4,000 people some days. It will be a big win for everybody, including the city.”
The return of slots provides a revenue boost to the city as well.
Sarnia will earn 5.25 per cent of the first $65 million generated from the slots. The number drops to 2.5 to 3.5 per cent on the next $435 million, then down to 0.5 per cent once revenue reaches $500 million.
Gateway, the owner/operator, of the Point Edward casino, will be the tenant and operator of the 150 machines that will soon be installed at Hiawatha.
There were 450 slots at the racetrack before the Slots at Racetracks program was cancelled by the previous provincial Liberal government six years ago.
Bailey said resurrecting the program will provide a significant boost to the local economy.
“I know a number of local businesses along [London Line] that were really hurt when the slots left here because Jim had people come here overnight, buy gas, plus a couple of restaurants that catered to the people before or after the races.”
The Progressive Conservatives promised to bring back the program during the provincial election campaign last June.
The slots are coming back to Hiawatha Horse Park. Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey made the announcement this morning. #SLontpic.twitter.com/cR5fEN3qF2
— Colin Gowdy (@CGowdyCHOK) October 25, 2018
Cathy Dobson
Jim Henderson has been inundated with calls from local residents hoping to land a job when Hiawatha Slots reopens at his racetrack.
But he’s telling everyone it’s going to be the end of the year before his property is leased and renovations are finished for the new 150-machine gaming facility on London Line.
“It’s been hard to get all the ducks in a row,” said Henderson. “I just received the draft lease agreement from OLG (Ontario Lottery and Gaming) and I still don’t have the final drawings.”
City council held a public meeting May 27 and voted in favour of re-establishing Hiawatha Slots. The city is expected to earn 5.25% of the first $65 million generated by the slots.
It’s been six years since the Ontario Liberals abruptly closed down Sarnia’s gaming operation, along with those in Fort Erie and Windsor.
At the time of the shutdown, Hiawatha Slots had 450 slot machines and employed 140 people.
Seven months ago, the Conservative government announced slots will return to Hiawatha, Kawartha Downs and Ajax Downs.
In early November, Premier Doug Ford was in Sarnia touring the racetrack and said he’d be back to cut the ribbon when the slots reopened.
But that won’t be until at least Christmas, said Henderson.
Once a lease agreement is signed, he has to complete capital improvements as landlord. Then Gateway Casinos and Entertainment, the company that will operate Hiawatha Slots on behalf of the OLG, will have to retrofit the space to fit their brand.
It all takes time, said Henderson, adding that he believes the lease will be for six years.
Henderson has continued to operate the racetrack after Hiawatha Slots closed and has 21 racing nights this season, held every Saturday starting in May.
But the horse racing industry took a huge hit after losing its 10% share of the revenue from slots operations. Times have been tough, according to Henderson.
Less revenue meant the purses shrunk, crowds dwindled and horsemen either left Ontario or sold their horses.
Hiawatha once attracted 2,500 to 3,000 people on race nights. Now, that’s closer to 1,000, said Henderson.
Former agreements with the original Hiawatha Slots provided 10% of the revenue to the horsemen, 10% to Henderson and about 5% to the municipality. The new arrangement does not share any revenue with the horsemen. Henderson thinks that’s wrong.
“Ontario’s horse racing industry used to be the biggest in North America and now we’re at the bottom,” he said.
Without slots revenue, horse racing at Hiawatha has not made money, according to Henderson. He said he has covered his costs with other money-makers on the property like a driving range and storage.
“But I love this industry and I’ve stuck with it,” he said.
Provincial and municipal approvals for a new slots operation have spurred new interest in his property, Henderson added.
Slots In Sarnia Uk
Since the slots were announced, a hotel chain expressed interest in building at Hiawatha.
Slots In Sarnia Casino
There’s no word yet on how many jobs Hiawatha Slots will create when it does open.
Slots In Sarnia Canada
The OLG’s Tony Bitonti said those details haven’t been worked out.