Windsor received a $9,284,338 cheque from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation on Tuesday, representing the city's share of gaming revenue from Caesars Windsor for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The presentation took place at Dieppe Gardens, where a new OLG flowerbed was unveiled to mark the occasion.
32-year partnership blossoms
Mayor Drew Dilkens highlighted the long-standing relationship between the city and OLG, which began 32 years ago when Windsor's first casino opened in an art gallery. That initial venture has since grown into the landmark Caesars Windsor on Riverside Drive, providing annual profits that support community investments.
“Not only are we the recipients of a huge amount of money by being the host city, we also benefit from a massive amount of employment that happens at Caesars Windsor,” Dilkens said. “In fact, it is our largest regional tourist attraction that we have throughout Essex County and so it's an important driver of tourism to our area.”
Revenue allocation and community projects
To date, Windsor has received $140,630,268 through the municipality contribution agreement with OLG. The mayor credited this revenue for helping the city maintain a zero per cent budget increase, allowing funds to be redirected to local projects.
“When we talk about a zero per cent budget, we're able to do that because we take revenue we receive from other sources to be able to allocate back into city projects,” Dilkens told attendees, which included representatives from Life After 50, We Serve Seniors, YQT Green, the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association, the Downtown Windsor Community Collaborative, Ward 3 Councilor Renaldo Agostino, and members of the Windsor Police Service.
“Over the past year alone OLG funding has supported a wide range of important community investments including the Adie Knox Herman recreation complex reimagining project, the Derwent Park cricket pitch, Banwell Road corridor improvement projects, upgrades at Elizabeth Kishkon Park, community safety and downtown revitalization initiatives.”
OLG and Caesars Windsor impact
Kathleen Devine, senior municipal relations manager for the OLG, emphasized the broader impact of the partnership. “It always brings us such pleasure to hear and learn about all of the various projects across the city, from parks and recreational upgrades to new cricket pitches,” Devine said. “The money is incredible but what is incredible is what the city has been doing with this money year over year. And I know that all of us at OLG are certainly so proud of our long-standing relationship and I'm sure it will continue to benefit this community for years to come.”
Devine added that the impact on Windsor would not be possible without the team at Caesars, whose work supports both the local economy and community well-being.
