Following the latest Ontario gambling regulations, under which a given region could only feature one full-scale casino, the towns of Pickering and Ajax are the two competing candidates for hosting the C3 zone gaming facility.
Early in 2015, the Pickering City Council voted overwhelmingly in favor of the construction of an entertainment center that would feature a large casino among other things. Durham Live Entertainment Center was envisioned as a 220-acre entertainment destination offering a number of attracting options, with casino gambling being among those.
The plan was also supported by the majority of Pickering residents. If eventually built, the center is expected to annually contribute the amount of $50 million in municipal tax revenue. In addition to this, developer Pickering Developments Inc. has estimated that up to 12,000 new direct jobs will be created.
As mentioned above, Pickering is not the only city in the region that is interested in hosting a full-fledged casino. Owners of the existing Ajax Downs horse racing track that also features 800 slot machines have proposed a plan for the venue’s expansion through the addition of 1,600 more slot machines and 200 table games.
However, if the Durham Live project is approved, Ajax Downs will not be able to expand into a larger gambling destination and will have to stop offering slots. The gambling hall opened doors in 2006 and since then, it has generated a total of $46 million in tax revenue for Ajax.
If approved by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, the Durham Live center would be built near Pickering’s border with Ajax. The latter town has appealed a certain zoning bylaw approved by Pickering officials as a means to pave the way for the entertainment complex. Ajax said that it would face serious traffic issues if Durham Lives opens doors. However, people with knowledge of the matter explained that the negative effect that a casino in Pickering would have on Ajax Downs was the town’s primary concern.
Commenting on the two rivaling plans for the establishment of a full-scale casino in the C3 zone, Pickering Mayor David Ryan said that since it opened doors in 2006, Ajax Downs has contributed nothing to the region. As for Pickering’s project, Mayor Ryan said that the center would create up to 20,000 direct and indirect jobs not only for residents of the city but of the region as whole.
Up to five interested operators are expected to bid for the single casino license for the C3 zone, with both the Durham Live and the Ajax Downs projects being in contention. The OLG is expected to announce its final decision on which operator would be granted the said license late in 2016 or early in 2017.
