THUNDER BAY – OLG Casino Thunder Bay is celebrating a decade of great gaming, strong community partnership and local economic benefits according to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. Community VIPs and key OLG executives marked the tenth anniversary with a special cake-cutting ceremony. In attendance was Acting CEO Tom Marinelli, Senior Vice President of Gaming Larry Flynn, site General Manager Tim O’ Doherty and the Acting Mayor for the City of Thunder Bay Rebecca Johnson.
“Since the opening of Casino Thunder Bay, OLG has enjoyed a strong partnership with the community and its residents,” said Larry Flynn, Senior Vice President, Gaming. “We’re proud that through this partnership, the city of Thunder Bay has been able to support important local programs and initiatives, and we look forward to many more successful years serving this community and providing great entertainment.”
As the host community for the OLG casino, Thunder Bay has received more than $23.8 million in non-tax gaming revenue since the facility opened in 2000. Rebecca Johnson, the Acting Mayor for the City of Thunder Bay stated, “OLG Corporate and Casino Thunder Bay have been great partners with our community over the last 10 years. We enjoy an excellent working relationship with them and thank them for the many contributions they have made to Thunder Bay over this period.”
With approximately 452 slot machines and 14 gaming tables, OLG Casino Thunder Bay has attracted more than 10.8 million visitors since opening. The casino, which is owned, operated, and managed by OLG, has purchased almost $18 million in goods and services from local and regional vendors, from office supplies, to groceries for the facility’s food services, to landscaping. Over 100 local businesses are actively registered and dealing with the casino today.
OLG is also a proud community sponsor for dozens of events and festivals over the last 10 years such as the Thunder Bay Blues Festival, Thunder Bay Summer in the Parks Concert Series, the Thunder Bay Auditorium Concert Series, as well as July 1 Canada day celebrations and the annual Mayor’s Walk.
The casino’s staff of 356 is also proud to be involved in the community, helping with the local United Way and Federal Health campaigns and volunteering their time for many worthy causes and events. Thunder Bay’s city council has also awarded the casino’s “Bet on Green Team” for their dedication to improve the local environment.