Casino Windsor Plans $400 Million Expansion

Ontario's government on Monday announced plans for a $400 million expansion and renovation of Casino Windsor, driven by competition at Detroit's casinos.

The expansion, which includes a 400-room hotel tower, a 5,000-seat theater, and 100,000 square feet of convention space, is intended to ruin more tourism and business conventions. The project will take three years to complete. A groundbreaking ceremony is expected this summer.

The convention center will not compete with the Cobo Center's more than 700,000 square feet of exhibition space. Officials in Ontario said they have not decided what kind of convention business to pursue for the new facility.

The investment also includes facelifts at casinos, but new slot machines or table games are not part of the plan.

"We enjoy very warm and friendly competitive relationships with our friends in Detroit. After today, it will become a lot friendlier," said Sandra Pupatello, an Ontario lawmaker who represents Western Windsor. The casino was opened in 1998. It gets 80 percent of its business from American gamblers. Built at a cost of $500 million, the casino boasts a 389-room hotel, 230-seat cozy theater, restaurant, and a VIP area on the third floor.

The casino's gaming revenue has fallen about 30 percent since the 9/11 terrorist attacks slowed border crossings. And the recent strength of the Canadian dollar means Americans will know that the Canadian dollar is not far beyond the U.S. river.

Casino Windsor earned nearly $600 million (U.S. standards) in annual revenue before the terrorist attacks in 2001. Currently, the casino has made about $416 million (W416 million) a year. It laid off 201 workers in January. And its daily traffic volume has dropped from about 18,000 before the 9/11 attacks to about 13,000 visitors a day now.

Casino profits will pay for the project. It is expected to create about 7,000 temporary construction jobs and 400 permanent casino jobs, Pupatello said.

Windsor Casino President and CEO Kevin Lafore said it was unlikely the casino would regain all of its lost profits after the Sept. 11 attacks, but non-game attractions would help the race.

"Before the 9/11 attacks, we were number one," LaFore said, "providing everything we need to get Casino Windsor back in place."

"What drives these visits is a non-game service. It's no exaggeration to say that it's a Las Vegas-style amenities."

He said the size of the 5,000-seat auditorium and theater was determined after the company extensively examined the types of facilities needed to paint tour shows such as famous performances, boxing matches and Riverdance.

"This gives the casino an edge," said Ontario's Economy, Trade and Development Minister Joe Cordiano. "Just across the river from Detroit are three casinos competing for the same business. Without this investment, Casino Windsor might have fallen behind in an increasingly competitive market."

Meanwhile, Detroit casino operators pioneered a $1.18 billion industry without fancy Las Vegas-style merchandise. With hotels and an auditorium, Detroit could become a local gambling hotspot.

Detroit casino operators are eager to begin construction on their gaming palace while waiting for the lawsuit to be resolved, but Greektown casino spokesman Roger Martin said: "We welcome any good competition." 프라그마틱 슬롯 사이트

And Motor City Casino spokesperson Jackie Woods said, "Adding more quality hotels, convention spaces, and entertainment options will prove to be the value of the entire region."

An injunction prohibiting the construction of a permanent facility, imposed by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, remains in effect. The Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa filed a lawsuit against the Detroit casino, calling the 1997 licensing bidding process unconstitutional. The appeals court agreed.

Motor City and the Greektown Casino have reconciled with the tribe, but MGM Grand Detroit has not. The appeals court is not expected to make a decision on the case until later this year.