GATEWAY ANNOUNCES MAJOR RENOVATION CASCADES CASINO COMING TO LONDON
Over $50 Million Investment Features Exciting Dining, Gaming and Entertainment Options
891 slots, 18 live gaming tables
Signature restaurant brand, MATCH Eatery & Public House, plus outdoor patio
Introducing Ontario’s first Chow Lucky Noodle Bar
September 7, 2023, London, ON – Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited (“Gateway”) is excited to officially start renovations to the Western Fair District Casino at 900 King St. in London. When the renovations are completed, London will join the Cascades family of Gateway casinos and will feature 891 slots and 18 table games as well as Gateway’s signature restaurant brand, MATCH Eatery & Public House. In addition to the MATCH restaurant, Cascades London will be the first Ontario location for Gateway’s extremely popular Chow Lucky Noodle Bar, a tempting mix of wok-fired creations cooked in an open kitchen concept that has become a staple at many of Gateway’s western Canadian locations.
The renovations to the London Western Fair District casino represent an investment of over $50 million and will be done in phases over the course of the next 27 months. It is anticipated work will be completed in late 2025 and the casino will expand from 70,000 to 84,000 square feet. The casino will remain open and operational while the renovations are underway. The construction plan will be implemented to provide minimal disruption to guests and will allow for bar and restaurant amenities to continue to provide service to patrons. The work is expected to create over 150,000 person hours of employment before completed and will add more than 100 new jobs when the work is finalized.
“We are delighted to start work this week on the path to creating a new and exciting entertainment destination for Londoners. One they think they may already know, but will not recognize when we are done,” said Jag Nijjar EVP of Construction & Development for Gateway Casinos. “This represents a new chapter for Gateway in London and for our partners at the Raceway, Western Fair District, OLG and the city. When we are finished it will be a brand-new casino with all the modern amenities you have come to enjoy at Gateway casinos.”
“Western Fair Association (WFA) was pleased when Gateway Casinos made the decision to remain at The District in 2022 and today’s announcement that renovations will now begin on their expanded and enhanced casino and eateries is a win for both parties. Gateway will evolve their business and enhance their food and entertainment offerings in London, and WFA can focus on further development of horse racing to complement gaming on our site, evolve our exciting new agri-food strategy at The Grove, and further the growth and development of our existing business units, community partnerships and events like the upcoming Western Fair. The development of the Cascades Casino at Western Fair District will be great for London, customers will benefit from new and expanded entertainment and food experiences, WFA will continue to reinvest in the modernization of our offerings and facilities for the communities we serve, and everyone will benefit from the enhanced economic impact for London and region through jobs and visitors to our city,” said Reg Ash, Chief Executive Office, Western Fair district.
London Mayor Josh Morgan said, “This marks the beginning of an exciting transformation of the space, along with a significant commitment to our community’s growth and development. As the Western Fairgrounds Casino expands and evolves into a modern entertainment destination, it will undoubtedly bring with it new opportunities and a fresh energy to the area at large. I’m very much looking forward to witnessing the positive impact these changes will have on our local economy and the overall entertainment scene in London.”
“This is exciting news for the City of London, our colleagues at Gateway, and for OLG,” said Dave Pridmore, OLG’s Chief Gaming Officer. “The plans Gateway has unveiled in London, along with plans being advanced by our other land-based gaming partners, are providing real local benefits and will support the long-term vibrancy and excitement of the casino experience across Ontario, for years to come. OLG and our gaming partners also remain committed to promoting safe play at casinos through our award-winning PlaySmart program, to help keep the fun in the game.”
Central to Gateway’s success has been the development of proprietary casino and restaurant brands. The Cascades brand is built around the design inspiration of “Play”. Gateway has successful Cascades properties in Chatham and North Bay Ontario and Delta, Langley, Kamloops, and Penticton, BC.
Gateway Casino’s signature restaurant brand MATCH Eatery & Public House offers the welcoming experience of a neighbourhood pub with the high energy and excitement of a sports bar, plus live entertainment. MATCH is family friendly and there’s a menu to suit every taste. Guests visiting Cascades London will encounter the MATCH next to the main entrance and the restaurant will be complemented by a beautiful and spacious outdoor patio that also offers a three-season dining experience starting through the spring, summer and fall with cooling mist dispensed on those hot summer days and outdoor firepit heaters when the temperatures drop.
Inside on the gaming floor will be a second restaurant, a first for Gateway in Ontario, Chow Lucky Noodle Bar. Exotic Asian flavours have made Chow a popular spot for Gateway visitors to our western Canadian casinos. An open concept kitchen lets guests watch the food preparation with chefs juggling wok-fired fare steeped in steaming noodles.
The picture would not be complete without a watering hole for “people watching” and enjoying a cocktail or beer on the gaming floor. Cascades will feature a soon to be branded libation locale right next to the action inside on the casino floor.
A commitment to responsible gambling is integral to how Gateway operates in Ontario including OLG’s PlaySmart program. Together with OLG and other government partners, Gateway will continue to implement responsible gambling initiatives at all properties across Canada.
About Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited
Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited (“Gateway”) is one of the largest and most diversified gaming and entertainment companies in Canada with 29 gaming properties in British Columbia and Ontario and two additional properties in Edmonton, Alberta. Across its entire portfolio, Gateway currently employs approximately 7,000 people and features approximately 369 table games (including 30 poker tables), 14,284 slots, 95 food and beverage outlets and 564 hotel rooms. A multi-pronged growth strategy has seen Gateway diversify and expand its product offering, including developing proprietary casino and restaurant brands, dramatically improving the gaming customer experience while attracting new customers. Some of Gateway’s proprietary brands include Match Eatery & Public House, Atlas Steak + Fish and Halley’s Club. In 2022, Gateway celebrated 30 years in the business of gaming and entertainment in Canada. Additional information is available at www.gatewaycasinos.com.
* All figures as at Dec 31, 2022
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Information: Rob Mitchell
Director, Communications & Public Affairs
Gateway Casinos
Robert.mitchell@gatewaycasinos.ca
226-235-6548
