Three Durham Region casino hosts received more than $7.25 million in first-quarter gaming revenue payments from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.
The latest Durham casino payments cover gaming activity between April 1 and June 30, the first quarter of OLG’s 2026–2027 fiscal year.
The City of Pickering received $5,572,326 for hosting Pickering Casino Resort, while the Town of Ajax received $990,549 connected with Casino Ajax. The Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation received $692,959 for hosting Great Blue Heron Casino.
Together, the three payments total $7,255,834.
That figure corrects the originally published total of nearly $6.9 million, which does not match the sum of the three individual payments.
Pickering Receives Largest Durham Casino Payment
Pickering received the largest payment by a significant margin, accounting for more than three-quarters of the first-quarter total.
Pickering Casino Resort opened in July 2021. Through its Municipal Contribution Agreement with OLG, the City receives non-tax gaming revenue based on activity at the casino.
The City reported receiving $16,380,715 during OLG’s 2025–2026 fiscal year. As of March 31, 2026, Pickering said its cumulative casino revenue had reached $75,977,449.
Pickering has said the revenue is reinvested in municipal programs, services and infrastructure intended to benefit residents. The City also shares part of its casino revenue with the Regional Municipality of Durham.
The cumulative total following the latest payment should be confirmed with OLG because the amount published in the original report does not reconcile with Pickering’s previously released figures.
Ajax Receives Nearly $1 Million
The Town of Ajax received $990,549 for hosting Casino Ajax during the April-to-June quarter.
Casino Ajax opened in February 2006 and has provided the municipality with an ongoing source of non-tax gaming revenue.
Municipal revenues can support operating services, infrastructure investments and other local priorities. Ajax’s annual budget identifies user fees, investment income and funding from other levels of government among the revenue sources that help reduce reliance on property taxation.
The latest payment brings another substantial contribution into Ajax’s municipal finances, although decisions about how the money is allocated are made through the Town’s budgeting process.
Scugog Island First Nation Receives $692,959
The Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation received $692,959 for hosting Great Blue Heron Casino and Hotel.
The casino is located on Scugog Island near Port Perry and includes slot machines, table games and an adjoining hotel.
Great Blue Heron Casino began operating in May 2000 and has remained an important economic partnership for the First Nation.
How Casino Hosting Payments Are Calculated
OLG’s host-community payments are determined through contribution agreements using a graduated formula based on gaming revenue generated at each casino.
The formula is applied consistently across Ontario’s land-based gaming sites, meaning larger facilities or casinos generating greater gaming revenue generally produce higher payments for their host communities.
The payments are non-tax revenue and are separate from municipal property taxes.
The latest Durham casino payments highlight the significant difference in gaming activity among the region’s three facilities, with Pickering Casino Resort generating the largest host payment.
Future quarterly payments will depend on revenue generated at each casino between July and September.
