City receives $621K in gaming money

This week, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation issued a first-quarter gaming revenue cheque for $620,980 to Greater Sudbury for hosting OLG Slots at Sudbury Downs. 

Sudbury has received more than $29 million since the slots open in the 1990s.

“Host communities are able to invest in important local programs and infrastructure with revenue from OLG gaming sites,” Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci is quoted as saying in a news release.

“The modernization of Ontario’s lottery and gaming business will stimulate economic development, create new jobs and support public priorities like health care.”

The payment is the first to be calculated under a new revenue sharing formula announced in May. The new formula will mean more money for municipalities across the province. Under the new deal, municipalities receive: 5.25% of the first $65 million of slot revenue; 3% of the next $135 million of slot revenue; 2.5% of the next $300 million of slot revenue; 0.5% of slot revenue above $500 million; and the new element, 4% on table game revenue.

In 2013-2014, the province plans to allocate $115 million in gaming revenue to support charities through the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Gaming revenue also funds the budget for province’s problem gambling program for research, treatment and prevention. It will $41 million in 2013-2014.

Since 1975, OLG lotteries, casinos, slots, and resort casinos have generated more than $36 billion. Proceeds help support Ontario's hospitals, amateur sport, recreational and cultural activities, communities and provincial priority programs, such as health care and education, and local and provincial charities.