The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to have an impact on gaming revenue payments for Chatham-Kent.
On Wednesday, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) issued a non-tax gaming revenue payment of $326,705 to the Municipality of Chatham-Kent for hosting Cascades Casino. The payment represents third-quarter earnings from October 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021.
“All gaming sites were opened throughout the third quarter with rigorous public health and workplace safety measures,” the OLG said in a news release. “Despite capacity restrictions being lifted on October 25, the continued spread of COVID-19 had an impact on gaming revenues.”
Fourth-quarter payments from the OLG will likely see even more of a reduction due to ongoing provincial health measures that have closed gaming sites across Ontario. The current measures came into effect on January 5 and are expected to end after January 26.
“Once public safety restrictions are lifted again, land-based casinos will continue to play a vital role in the economic recovery of our communities,” said Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy.
Since April 2001, Chatham-Kent has received more than $14.1 million in non-tax gaming revenue.