The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) and Caesars Entertainment Windsor Limited have finalized a Casino Operating and Services Agreement that will see Caesars operate the Windsor property for the next 20 years.

Modernization Model

In Ontario, the OLG, the crown agency, conducts and manages land-based casino properties with day-to-day operations, investment in upgrades and modernization handed over to operators like Caesars, Gateway, Great Canadian Entertainment and Hard Rock. All 30 properties in the province are partner operated.

Profits flow back to OLG which are in turn paid back out to hosting communities to boost local infrastructure and municipal programs, while operators get to build and profit.

The Windsor casino is the final gaming site in Ontario to transition to OLG’s land-based gaming modernization model.

Procurement Process

This is a great day for OLG, our partners at Caesars and the City of Windsor,” said OLG’s President and CEO, Duncan Hannay. “The agreement we’ve signed will see our partnership with Caesars continue for many years to come. It’s a partnership that has benefitted the community and local economy in countless ways and we’re thrilled to continue our contribution together.”

OLG last May announced that Caesars Entertainment Inc. had been selected as service provider of the Windsor casino after a procurement process. A Request for Pre-Qualification has been released in in 2023. Mohegan and Bally’s were also rumoured to be vying for the project.

Municipality Payments

We are proud to continue bringing the iconic Caesars brand to life here in Windsor,” said Anthony Carano, President and Chief Operating Officer of Caesars Entertainment. “For more than three decades, this resort has been a cornerstone of the region’s tourism economy, and for the past 18 years it has proudly carried the Caesars name. We look forward to building on that legacy by delivering the world‑class hospitality, entertainment, and service our guests expect from Caesars.”

OLG will continue to make Municipality Contribution Agreement payments to the City of Windsor – $138 million since 1994. Under the agreement, Caesars must maintain current staffing levels for a minimum 18 months.

Caesars and its predecessor companies have partnered with OLG to operate the Windsor casino since the opening of the temporary facility in 1994.

The University of Windsor, in partnership with the University of Ottawa, is pleased to announce a new initiative funded by the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT) that will help strengthen learner mobility and expand access to Francophone learning opportunities across Ontario.

The funded project, Supporting the Transferability of French-language Courses, will create and pilot administrative processes that enable the seamless acceptance of transfer credits from online courses taught in French delivered by the University of Ottawa. This work will help reduce barriers for learners seeking to continue or complete their studies across institutions while maintaining access to Francophone education.

The initiative was included in a Feb. 3 announcement by the Honourable Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, that the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT) is funding 27 projects across Ontario's publicly assisted postsecondary colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes.

"This initiative responds to a demonstrated need for additional Francophone programming and positions the University of Windsor to better serve a growing population of French speakers and a workforce that increasingly requires bilingual skills," said Dr. Emmanuelle Richez, professor in the University of Windsor's Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

This initiative aligns with ONCAT's learner-focused mandate to support projects that streamline transfer pathways, improve credit recognition, and help learners navigate Ontario's postsecondary system.

Through this project, the University of Windsor and the University of Ottawa will collaborate to develop a model that can be scaled across additional programs, supporting students as they build academic credentials and strengthen bilingual employability across Ontario.

By improving transfer credit recognition processes for online Francophone courses, the project is expected to support more flexible learning pathways and help students access educational opportunities that fit their goals, schedules and geographic needs.

"We are grateful for the Government of Ontario's investment, which will help reduce barriers and create more accessible, learner-centred opportunities in postsecondary education for our students in both official languages," said Dr. Cheryl Collier, University of Windsor Interim Provost and Vice-President, Academic.

University of Windsor401 Sunset AvenueWindsor Ontario Canada N9B 3P4 www.uwindsor.ca

Windsor bars are among those in Ontario being allowed to serve alcohol starting at 6 a.m. Thursday through Sunday, so hockey fans can enjoy beer and other drinks while watching Olympic hockey games live from Italy.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has granted an extension of serving hours to the City of Windsor. Hamilton and Toronto establishments, for example, have also been approved for early alcohol-serving starts.

Liquor sales still end at 2 a.m.

“With Olympic events airing early due to the time difference, we’re working to help support the hospitality sector while giving residents the opportunity to show their pride,” Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said in a statement.

The Canadian men's hockey team advanced to the semifinals on Wednesday after defeating Czechia 4-3 in overtime.

If they defeat Finland on Friday at 10:40 a.m., the Canadians will play for gold Sunday starting at 8:10 a.m.

Canada's women's team is playing the U.S. for the gold medal today at 1:10 p.m.

'Supporting local businesses'

In Windsor, Coun. Renaldo Agostino said: “This is about supporting our local businesses and ensuring that Windsor is ready to rally behind Team Canada."

“Our restaurants and bars are vital to the vibrancy of our downtown and neighbourhoods across the city."

All restaurants and licensed establishments have received an email about the extended liquor service hours so they can begin preparing and staffing for the final games.

“We’re certainly really happy that Canada’s made it to the semi-finals. We’re happy that our establishments will be able to bring people together,” said Agostino.

One local bar owner said he lobbied for the change after learning that Toronto and Hamilton had received similar permissions from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission.

"I was reading some CBC News and your counterparts from other towns," said Cramdon's owner Ron Philpott. "And then all of us down here were like, 'Well, hey, if they can do it, let's see if we can do it.'"

The extended hours only apply to indoor licensed areas, and the city is reminding businesses they still have to comply with the requirements of the Liquor License and Control Act.

Michael Hampden-Carter faces separate Ontario trial for other sexual assault allegations

WARNING: This story contains information about an alleged sexual assault.

In what the defence described as a “typical he-said, she-said situation,” the judge presiding over a sexual assault trial in Windsor, Ont., found Michael Hampden-Carter not guilty.

A two-day trial last month saw both Hampden-Carter, 39, and the complainant — whose identity is protected by a publication ban — testify.

On Thursday, while reading his decision, Justice Greg McGivern said both were consistent in their testimony and he had “no basis to reject” any of their evidence presented in court.

McGivern also acknowledged “there are two opposing versions of events.”

“I am left in a state of reasonable doubt,” he said.

In court, the Crown attorney carries the burden to prove the allegation happened beyond a reasonable doubt.

Outside the courtroom, the Crown attorney in this case declined to comment on the decision.

'I feel great. I feel like justice was served'

Hampden-Carter walked out of the Ontario Court of Justice building with a smile.

“I feel great. I feel like justice was served,” Hampden-Carter told CBC News. “I didn’t do anything. I’ve been saying that. I’m a standup guy.

“That’s not for me to prove to everybody. That’s for everybody to see.”

During the trial, both Hampden-Carter and the woman agreed they were at his home one night in February 2019.

He said they were there to watch Game of Thrones and testified that nothing sexual took place.

She said they were consensually kissing in his bed at one point. Then, she testified, he picked her up, brought her to the laundry room, sat her up on the washing machine and forced her to masturbate him.

Defence lawyer Jessica Grbevski called this case a “typical he-said, she-said situation.”

“I’m just glad that justice has been served and we’re waiting for the next one,” said Hampden-Carter.

A separate sexual assault trial continues

On Friday, a trial continues in Superior Court, with Hampden-Carter accused of three counts of sexual assault and three counts of sexual exploitation involving minors.

Police said the alleged incidents happened in January 2022 and Hampden-Carter was arrested in March.

At the time, Hampden-Carter worked at the Greater Essex County District School Board [GECDSB] as a staff member, not a teacher. He would have had contact with high school students.

A school board spokesperson told CBC News that Hampden-Carter hasn’t been an employee since April 2022.

“You’re going to see the same verdict. You’re going to see the same thing,” said Hampden-Carter, when asked about the ongoing trial Thursday.

“I’ve lost a lot of things in my life."

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