Ontario Premier Doug Ford has revealed that his government is renegotiating the existing casino deal in Niagara Falls, aiming to bring about a significant shift in the region’s gaming industry. At the center of these discussions are Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment (MGE) and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), as the province seeks to move away from what Ford described as the current “monopoly” and instead foster more competition.

Ford government aims to modernize Niagara casino operations:

During a press conference in Toronto, Ford emphasized the broader potential of Niagara as a tourism destination. “There’s a tremendous opportunity with the 11 million tourists coming down to Niagara [each year],” Ford stated, as reported by The Trillium, expressing a desire to revamp the region not just for gambling but as a destination that attracts families. “It’s not about gambling; it’s about the destination. It’s about bringing families there. It’s an incredible tourist attraction, but we have to clean it up and make it more modern.”

Ford’s remarks come as part of ongoing efforts to improve Niagara Falls’ appeal and boost economic development in the region. The province is in talks with MGE, which currently operates the two casinos in the area under an agreement that extends until 2040. The aim of these negotiations, according to Ford, is to create “more opportunities” to attract tourists and enhance the overall experience of Niagara Falls as a premier tourist hub.

At the heart of the current debate is the idea of opening Niagara Falls to greater casino competition, a move that Mayor Jim Diodati has been advocating for years. Diodati has long championed the city’s status as a gaming destination, envisioning the introduction of additional casino operators as a way to attract high-end visitors and increase over-the-border tourism from the U.S. In his view, a diversified gaming landscape would stimulate further economic development and encourage tourists to stay longer and explore the region’s non-gaming attractions.

Concerns over infrastructure and future investments:

Despite enthusiasm from local leaders, not everyone is convinced that expanding the casino market should be Niagara’s top priority. Paul Burns, President and CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association, has voiced concerns about the current infrastructure supporting the region.

In an interview with Canadian Gaming Business, Burns highlighted that improving transit links and transportation infrastructure should take precedence. “Building casinos isn’t actually the first thing you should do,” he remarked, adding: “Infrastructure to get people there would probably be a better investment. Niagara doesn’t really have a commercial airport, Hamilton’s a fair distance now from Niagara in many ways. They should be leading with roads. So it’s kind of curious why they’re leading with the casino stuff. There’s a convention centre that’s massively underutilized, there’s still lots of room for tourism growth that isn’t connected to gaming. The two casinos down there would love more business, not more competition.”

As of now, discussions between the provincial government, Mohegan, and local stakeholders are still in progress. Ford noted that while these conversations are taking place, significant changes to Niagara’s gaming landscape won’t occur overnight. “We’re still in the midst of talking to Mohegan, talking to the mayor, and talking to the region to see exactly what they want,” Ford stated, emphasizing that the goal is to enhance Niagara Falls as both a tourist destination and an economic driver for the province.