The Ontario government and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) have launched the first phase of a multi-billion-dollar investment strategy for the Niagara Region, inviting new operators to expand the province’s land-based casino market. The Call for Investment was unveiled on Oct. 28, 2026.
According to the procurement documentation, the initiative is designed to attract more than CA$3bn (US$2.1bn) in direct gaming investment and a further CA$600m (US$429m) in additional private sector investment across components of Ontario’s Destination Niagara Strategy over the next 20 years.
The terms set a high bar for entry. Each new operator must commit a minimum investment of CA$1.5bn (US$1.07bn) and pay a CA$100m (US$71m) upfront entrance fee. In exchange, the province will introduce a 9.75% gaming tax rate for new Niagara casino operators — a framework presented as a way to reduce operator burdens and attract global developers while preserving public interest safeguards.
Interested operators have until Dec. 3, 2026, to respond to the initial procurement phase, which is being run through the MERX procurement platform. Shortlisted applicants will subsequently be invited to submit detailed proposals for integrated resort developments.
The framework will initially accommodate a maximum of three additional casino operators. Beyond that, further market expansion will be locked for a fixed 10-year term, after which additional licences may be considered based on market performance and prevailing conditions.
The opening was made possible by an agreement reached in August between OLG and incumbent operator MGE Niagara Entertainment Inc. (MGE), which formally suspended MGE’s market exclusivity in Niagara and paved the way for new developers. MGE, controlled by Mohegan, operates Niagara Falls’ two existing properties, Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara.
Any new entrants would operate under Ontario’s established commercial model, in which private operators manage day-to-day land-based casino operations while OLG retains overarching responsibility for conducting and managing gaming in the province.
Zee Hamid, Ontario’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, framed the call as a tourism play as much as a gaming one. “Niagara has enormous potential for growth, and our Destination Niagara Strategy is unlocking new opportunities to attract investment, create jobs, and strengthen the region’s tourism economy,” he said.
“New gaming investment will bring exciting attractions and experiences to the region, helping drive tourism, create good-paying jobs, and support Niagara’s future as a world-class, year-round destination,” Hamid added.
OLG President and CEO Duncan Hannay said the corporation was “proud to work with our partners and the Ontario government to strengthen Niagara’s position as one of Canada’s premier tourist destinations.”
“By enhancing the gaming experience and supporting new investments in hotels, entertainment venues, and dining, we are helping create lasting economic benefits while amplifying the great experiences already available at Fallsview and Casino Niagara,” Hannay said.
The government projects that the gaming expansion will generate more than 10,000 construction jobs. The broader Destination Niagara Strategy, of which the Call for Investment forms one component, targets a doubling of regional tourism to more than 25 million annual visitors, an annual contribution of CA$3bn to Ontario’s GDP, support for local businesses and 46,500 permanent jobs.
This article was produced with AI assistance and reviewed under the GamblingZine editorial verification process.
Sources
- Ontario Opens Niagara Casino Market to New Operators, Targets $3B Investment — Independent reporting (published 2026-10-29)
Reporting verified against the sources above; retrieval timestamps are preserved in the editorial record.