Chatham-Kent received nearly $1.7 million during the latest fiscal year for hosting Gateway’s Cascades Casino in Chatham.
During Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp.’s 2023 fiscal year, running April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023, the municipality received $1,692,836. That’s up from $921,281 in fiscal year 2022.
This sum is allocated annually to general revenues to help offset the costs of municipally delivered services and municipal grants to local groups, events and community initiatives.
“OLG is proud to be a vital part of Chatham-Kent for more than 22 years, and we look forward to continuing to build on that support,” Kathleen Devine, OLG’s senior municipal relations manager, said in a release Monday.
“Each and every year, 100 per cent of OLG profits are reinvested in Ontario to support provincial priorities. From critical infrastructure, to important local programs, to community festivals, OLG’s profits are hard at work in Chatham-Kent and all across our province to build stronger communities.
“We also appreciate the contribution of gaming site employees at Cascades Casino Chatham, who are making life in Chatham-Kent that much better.”
The announcement was made during a Chatham-Kent Civic Center ceremony with citizen volunteer representatives from the Together CK municipal grant program.
“This significant investment in our community represents nearly one per cent of the 2023 municipal budget,” Mayor Darrin Canniff said in the release.
“This is money that directly supports the delivery of services to citizens and contributes to the overall well-being of the community.”
The Together CK grant recipients include the Active Lifestyle Centre, Alzheimer Society of Chatham-Kent, Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society, CK Pride, St. Vincent de Paul – Camp Vincent, Dresden Sidestreets Youth Centre, Kenesserie Camp, Mental Health Network of Chatham -Kent, North Buxton Historical Site and Museum and the Village Resource Center of Wheatley.
Canniff added the OLGC payouts have made a “significant difference in the lives of our residents, and we are proud to partner with them in promoting a better future for our community.”