Ontario: Gateway Casinos marks 25th anniversary in Sault Ste. Marie

Gateway Casinos and Entertainment is celebrating its 25th anniversary in Sault Ste. Marie. The casino, which first opened on May 19, 1999, marked the occasion with a special event attended by Mayor Matthew Shoemaker, City Council members, Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) executives, local dignitaries, and staff.

Over the past 25 years, the casino has contributed more than CAD35 million ($25.7 million) in revenue to the city through OLG’s Municipal Contribution Agreement program. To mark the occasion, Gateway Casinos, which took over operations of the facility in 2017, presented a commemorative cheque showing CAD35 million to Mayor Shoemaker.

Carrie Kormos, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Gateway Casinos, said: "We were very fortunate when we arrived here in Sault Ste. Marie to receive so much support from the city and our partners at OLG. The Mayor and Council have continued to support us since we first started here. But most critically, we were lucky to inherit a staff so invested in this community."

OLG Chair Jim Warren praised the casino's impact: “For 25 years, the Sault Ste. Marie Casino has been a fixture in the community. It has created hundreds of jobs and delivered important revenue to the city. 

"Over the years, the city has wisely invested the $35 million in police and fire operations, the Sault-area hospital and many other important initiatives that have made this community a great place to live. OLG truly values the strong and productive partnership we have with Gateway Casinos and Entertainment and the City of Sault Ste. Marie.”

The casino has also supported over 50 charitable organizations with staff volunteers and more than half a million dollars in contributions. Since 2017, GatewayGIVES, the company’s community giving program, has donated over $63,000. In honor of the anniversary, GatewayGIVES will donate to The Twinkie Foundation, a local charity that raises funds for families to assist in medically necessary travel, and The Animal Assistance Group.

General Manager Vince Vommaro, one of 36 original employees still working at the casino, expressed pride in the milestone. “This place holds so many positive memories not just for me, but for another 35 friends and colleagues who have made a career here and call this place a second home," he said. "That’s right, there are 36 of us who are still here all these years later. That’s a very special achievement.”

As part of the celebrations for the silver anniversary, customers on Friday enjoyed “Hot Seat” prize draws, free commemorative T-shirts, cupcakes and a cash draw for $2,500, plus live entertainment.