But it’s all been confirmed now with an announcement Tuesday, by the Ontario Gaming GTA LP that it will be proceeding towards ‘municipal permitting’ for the proposed ‘Durham Live’ entertainment and tourism destination.
Durham Live, slated to open in late 2019 is expected to create more than 10,000 jobs, with 2,000 of those in the casino alone. That is in addition to the existing team members at Casino Ajax who will transfer over once the new resort opens.
Durham Livewill also offer a 5-star hotel, convention centre, film studios, waterpark, boutique hotel, office tower, restaurants, cinemas, and other dynamic attractions.
The location was previously reported to be at the northwest corner of Church and Bayly. But is now being described to be in a “strategic location off of Highway 401 and on the Pickering side of the Pickering/Ajax border.”
Upon build out, it has the potential to be one of Ontario’s top tourism destinations. The City of Toronto had turned down the idea of building a casino downtown many times in the past.

The organization managing this large project is Ontario Gaming GTA Limited Partnership and it was founded as a partnership between Toronto-based Brookfield Business Partners and Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, a major gambling and hospitality operator in the country.
This is the second recent big announcement for the Durham region. In 2017, Groupe Nordik confirmed it is finally forging ahead with its plans for a Nordic Spa and hotel in Whitby, Ont.
The company, which owns the massively popular Nordik Spa-Nature in Chelsea, Que., said the Whitby spa will be open as early as summer 2019.
The Whitby location is planned for the former Cullen Gardens and Miniature Village site. It’s estimated the new location will be able to accommodate 700 visitors at any one time.

Move means Casino Ajax, the facility that’s been operating since 2006, will close.

More than 10,000 jobs are expected to be created in Pickering after the Durham Live site was chosen for a casino to open in 2019. More than 10,000 jobs are expected to be created in Pickering after the Durham Live site was chosen for a casino to open in 2019.

Ontario Gaming GTA LP, a partnership between Great Canadian Gaming and Brookfield Business Partners, will operate the Pickering casino, which will be built at Church and Bayly streets. The Durham Live proposal includes hotels, convention space, an indoor water park and film studios, along with the casino. Strongly opposed to a casino in Pickering is far greater than the number who strongly support a casino (32% strongly oppose vs. 14% strongly support). Overall, one in two residents (50%) are opposed to building a casino in Pickering, as it is currently proposed. 30% support the casino development while 10% of residents are unsure. While the news of expanded gaming developments in Ontario has subdued substantially, one new proposal sprung up last week for a new tourist development that includes a hotel, waterpark, performing arts centre, outdoor amphitheatre and a casino. No Pickering Casino is a grassroots group of local citizens, businesses, and organizations concerned about the social and economic costs of gaming expansion in our community of Pickering, Ontario. No Pickering Casino is opposed to Durham Live, the 220 acre entertainment complex – including a casino – proposed to built at Church and Bayly.

Great Canadian Gaming, the company selected to operate casinos in the Greater Toronto Area, made the annnoucement this week.

That means Casino Ajax, the facility that’s been operating since 2006, will close.

Ontario Gaming GTA LP, a partnership between Great Canadian Gaming and Brookfield Business Partners, will operate the Pickering casino, which will be built at Church and Bayly streets.

Casino In Pickering Ontario

The Durham Live proposal includes hotels, convention space, an indoor water park and film studios, along with the casino. Ontario Gaming GTA LP says the site would create more than 10,000 jobs.

The casino itself would have about 2,000 employees, including 1,700 new jobs.

“We are thrilled to invest the casino revenues back into our greater community,” Pickering Mayor Dave Ryan said in a news release.

“Pickering will share up to 30 per cent of its revenues with the Region of Durham, and we suggest that a portion of these funds be earmarked for social housing in order to secure matching funding from the senior levels of government. Finally, we suggest sharing up to 2 per cent of revenues with the local quarter-horse industry, but will need to meet with industry representatives first in order to better understand their needs.”

Jobs currently at Casino Ajax would transfer to the new location when that casino opens.

“Ajax has done well by Ajax Slots having received about $75 million for its use since it opened, but the province and OLG wanted to go with an improved business model and a competitive process,” according to Councillor David Pickles.

Proposed Casino In Pickering Ontario Quebec

Proposed Casino In Pickering Ontario Niagara Falls

Pickles said the Durham Live site and proposal will include more gaming, convention, hotel and entertainment opportunities and result in more revenue and jobs.

Proposed Casino In Pickering Ontario Map

“We could be looking at up to $25 million per year in financial benefits and 15,000 jobs when everything is up and running. That’s a huge benefit to our community and taxpayers,” Pickles said.