According to recent reports, Ontario Premier Doug Ford envisions turning parts of Ontario, particularly Niagara Falls, into what has been coined ‘The Las Vegas of the North.’
Let’s dive straight in to find out more.
Will Ontario be the new Las Vegas of the North?
In October 2024, Ford announced that he was keen on transforming Niagara Falls into Canada’s very own Las Vegas, offering tourists high-quality casino entertainment and a major amusement park. However, the plans do not include the Marineland amusement park in Niagara Falls.
In what has also been referred to as the ‘Niagara strategy,’ the provincial tourism minister, Stan Cho, hasn’t spoken with anyone from Marineland, despite the 1,000 acres property, which is located not far from Horseshoe Falls, being up for sale. Cho said that the province is looking to develop a new amusement park as a major sprawling attraction and that Marineland doesn’t fit the bill.
Ford’s decision, which has been met with mixed reactions, would include signing another contract with Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment, which, in 2018, signed a deal with Ontario Lottery and Gaming to operate any casinos in the city until 2040.
One of the main reasons for the Ontario premier’s bold plan was to increase tourism, generate more employment opportunities, and stimulate the economy. Twin 58-story buildings and numerous other high-rise buildings are also believed to be a part of this new endeavor.
The plan to turn Niagara Falls into Las Vegas of the North will include five-star dining options and new shopping facilities. It will also require the development of more hotels and a cutting-edge new international airport.
Additionally, more trains will need to run to the area on GO Transit from Toronto, plus several other mass transit expansion plans are part of the new development.
If Doug Ford’s grand plans eventually come to fruition, there’s a good chance that Niagara Falls will be renamed the new Las Vegas of the North. It’s still early days, though, so we will just have to wait and see what happens over the coming years.
What casinos do people have access to today in Ontario?
Ontario is already home to many of Canada’s most iconic land-based casinos, some of which include the Fallsview Casino Resort, Caesars Windsor, and Casino Rama Resort.
The province also legalized online casinos in 2018 and is now home to over 70 legally permitted sites. Casino.org reviews the best online casinos in Ontario, so if you want to learn more about the safest sites and you’re aged 19 or above, more information about them can be found on this trusted iGaming review site.
Some of the other iconic land-based casinos that are also located in Ontario are the following:
- Casino Niagara
- Casino Woodbine
- Gateway Casinos
- Elements Casino
That’s not forgetting the Great Blue Heron Casino and Hotel, the Rideau Carleton Casino, the Shorelines Casino, and the Pickering Casino Resort.
Are online casinos in Ontario safe?
Yes. Everything comes under the watchful eye of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) – the official governing body that oversees all online gambling activities in this province. The AGCO is regarded as a top-tier gaming commission/licensing authority, just like the UKGC in the United Kingdom.
In other words, the AGCO is known for its high regulatory standards and for safeguarding players in numerous ways. It carries out a rigorous vetting process and extensive testing, analysis, and background checks before issuing licenses to iGaming operators.
Therefore, if you live here and come across an online casino that’s fully licensed and regulated by this authority, you know it’s a safe site controlled by a reputable operator running an honest and transparent day-to-day operation.
Back in the day, people living in Ontario would play at offshore casinos controlled by foreign operators, which was risky as not all sites could be trusted. These days, Ontario citizens have plenty of safe sites to choose from to play their favorite games.
Legally permitted online casinos in Ontario also have excellent data protection and privacy policies in place, and they use highly sophisticated cybersecurity measures to keep each player’s account safe.
Will the new Las Vegas of the North be any good, and how will it compare to Sin City, Nevada?
When asking the question, will the new Las Vegas of the North be any good, and how will it compare to Sin City, Nevada, it all depends on what you are looking for from your experience.
The best thing to do would be to completely forget that statement and think of it as a refreshing new region that will cater to all types of tourists. People will be able to do more than just play casino games at the new and old land-based casinos in Niagara.
There will be more entertainment activities than ever, and it will have its own vibrant atmosphere. It’s expected to be different from the classic vibe on the iconic Las Vegas Strip.
Final thoughts
As things start to take shape in Ontario, Ford’s plans could significantly impact the local economy, especially if the newly developed region starts to attract international tourists from all four corners of the globe.
The modern design will mean that it will be much less congested than Las Vegas, plus the climate is completely different in Ontario compared to Nevada. It’s much cooler, and there’s a lot more rain here.
Anyone who has ever wanted to experience the thrills of Las Vegas but has been put off by the seedier side and its history may prefer the new Las Vegas of the North as a welcome alternative when it’s finally up and running. Only time will tell.
