Pickering to open casino in late 2019

Move means Casino Ajax, the facility that’s been operating since 2006, will close.
More than 10,000 jobs are expected to be created in Pickering after the Durham Live site was chosen for a casino to open in 2019. More than 10,000 jobs are expected to be created in Pickering after the Durham Live site was chosen for a casino to open in 2019.
Great Canadian Gaming, the company selected to operate casinos in the Greater Toronto Area, made the annnoucement this week.
That means Casino Ajax, the facility that’s been operating since 2006, will close.
Ontario Gaming GTA LP, a partnership between Great Canadian Gaming and Brookfield Business Partners, will operate the Pickering casino, which will be built at Church and Bayly streets.

The Durham Live proposal includes hotels, convention space, an indoor water park and film studios, along with the casino. Ontario Gaming GTA LP says the site would create more than 10,000 jobs.
The casino itself would have about 2,000 employees, including 1,700 new jobs.
“We are thrilled to invest the casino revenues back into our greater community,” Pickering Mayor Dave Ryan said in a news release.
“Pickering will share up to 30 per cent of its revenues with the Region of Durham, and we suggest that a portion of these funds be earmarked for social housing in order to secure matching funding from the senior levels of government. Finally, we suggest sharing up to 2 per cent of revenues with the local quarter-horse industry, but will need to meet with industry representatives first in order to better understand their needs.”

Jobs currently at Casino Ajax would transfer to the new location when that casino opens.
“Ajax has done well by Ajax Slots having received about $75 million for its use since it opened, but the province and OLG wanted to go with an improved business model and a competitive process,” according to Councillor David Pickles.
Pickles said the Durham Live site and proposal will include more gaming, convention, hotel and entertainment opportunities and result in more revenue and jobs.
“We could be looking at up to $25 million per year in financial benefits and 15,000 jobs when everything is up and running. That’s a huge benefit to our community and taxpayers,” Pickles said.