Canada: OLG looks for potential new operator at Windsor's casino

As part of the government-owned company's modernization procurement process, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has announced that it is currently searching for a potential new long-term service provider to run Windsor's casino.

OLG spokesperson Tony Bitonti explained that the existing contract for Caesars Entertainment Windsor has been extended for another three years, and that the company can be part of the procurement process should they wish to make a bid.

Stephen Rigby, OLG's President and Chief Executive Officer, said in a news release that "it will also help protect the long-term competitiveness of the Windsor market."

The media release states, "OLG will require the successful proponent to retain employees at the Windsor Casino for a period of no less than 12 months once it takes over operation of the site in mid-2023."

"That means that everyone that's employed there now will stay in their current position at the same rate of pay with the same status whether they're full time, part time and within the same location for an entire year," Bitonti said.

He said that Caesars Windsor can be part of the procurement process should they wish to make a bid, but "it's too early to tell because we have not started the procurement process yet."

"We believe that this is the last piece of our modernization project," said Bitonti. "We want to make sure that we're consistent across the entire province in how we run our gaming operations."

He said customers shouldn't expect to see any changes.

"It will be business as usual," he said.

OLG expects to release a request for pre-qualification by the fall of 2020, CBC reports.