Sunday, February 13, 2005

Expansion is expected for Casino Windsor

More entertainment and added dining space aim to lure customers from across the river.

By Joel J. Smith / The Detroit News

Comment on this story Send this story to a friend Get Home Delivery

WINDSOR -- The Ontario government plans to announce a major expansion of Casino Windsor on Monday, but it's likely to involve only non-gaming areas.

Officials of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp., the provincial government's arm that owns the gaming facility, will reveal details of an aggressive development plan for the casino to help it win back customers lost to Detroit's three casinos over the past five years.

Casino Windsor on Friday declined to discuss details of the announcement, but others indicated no gaming expansion should be expected.

Joseph Cordiano, the Ontario economic development and trade minister, said last year that he supports the casino industry and had ordered the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. to find ways of expanding Casino Windsor's non-gaming amenities.

Although it is owned by the government, the casino is managed by Casino Windsor Ltd., a group made up of Caesar's Inc. and Hilton Hotels.

Kevin Laforet, president and CEO of the group, told The Detroit News last year that he was recommending that the government allow expansion plans at the casino to reverse the downhill spiral of revenue since 1999, when two of Detroit's casinos -- MGM Grand Detroit and MotorCity -- opened.

Casino Windsor's revenue dropped from $640 million (U.S.) in 1999 to $400 million (U.S.) in 2004.

"Just standing pat in a competitive market won't do," he said. "You see more and more of casino resort properties looking to expand what support the gaming. I think any expansion would be along those elements."

At the time, Laforet said some of the options include expanding convention facilities, entertainment venues, restaurants, hotel rooms and spa services.

Casino Windsor has 3,300 slot machines, 80 gaming tables, five restaurants and a 389-room, four-star luxury hotel. It will open a 12-table poker room on Monday.

You can reach Joel J. Smith at (313) 222-2556 or jsmith@detnews.com.