The host municipalities for Durham Region’s three major gaming facilities have concluded a highly profitable fiscal year, securing a combined $22.6 million in non-tax gaming revenue. According to the latest figures released by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) for the 2025/2026 fiscal year, the City of Pickering, the Town of Ajax, and the Mississaugas of Scugog Island received significant fourth-quarter payments this month totaling over $4.6 million. These funds are part of a province-wide revenue-sharing formula designed to help host communities invest in local priorities and critical infrastructure.
The City of Pickering remains the primary beneficiary in the region, largely due to the scale of the Pickering Casino Resort. In the fourth quarter alone, Pickering raked in nearly $3.4 million, bringing its total for the 2025/2026 fiscal year to $16,380,715. Since the resort opened its doors in July 2021, the city has collected a total of approximately $76 million in hosting fees. Peter Bethlenfalvy, Ontario’s Finance Minister and MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge, noted that these Durham casino hosting fees are essential for building stronger communities and supporting the services that matter most to local families.
The Town of Ajax also saw steady returns, receiving $652,158 for the fourth quarter. This brought its total fiscal year earnings to more than $3.72 million. As one of the longest-running gaming sites in the region, Casino Ajax has generated a staggering $114,714,799 for the town since it first opened in February 2006. Similarly, the Mississaugas of Scugog Island earned $577,685 in the final quarter for hosting the Great Blue Heron Casino, totaling over $2.5 million for the fiscal year and nearly $39 million since the site’s inception in 2000.
The distribution of these Durham casino hosting fees follows a graduated scale based on the gaming revenue generated at each specific site. Across Ontario, this system has provided host communities with almost $2.4 billion in non-tax revenue since 1994, with all OLG profits being reinvested into provincial priorities. Furthermore, the gaming sector has seen over $2.9 billion in private sector capital investment over the last nine years, leading to the development of new resorts, expanded gaming floors, and enhanced non-gaming amenities that drive local economic growth.
As Durham Region continues to develop as a hub for entertainment and tourism, these consistent payments provide a reliable source of funding for municipal projects. From infrastructure repairs to community programming, the Durham casino hosting fees ensure that the impact of the gaming industry is felt positively by residents in Pickering, Ajax, and Scugog. With the 2025/2026 fiscal year now closed, local leaders are looking toward the next cycle of investment to further strengthen the region’s economy and service standards.
