City of Belleville Mayor Taso Christopher takes a tour of the Shorelines Casino Belleville with OLG Director of Municipal and Community Relations Giacomo Pastore on January 11, 2017. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
Get ready to place your bets.
The new $41 million Shorelines Casino at 380 Bell Blvd. officially opened Wednesday. The first of its kind in Ontario since 2006.
Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, a majority shareholder and lead operator of the Ontario Gaming East Limited Partnership (OGELP) welcomed media and VIP guests to a first hand look at the spacious and state-of -the-art gaming facility before holding its official grand opening ceremony.
With bright, high ceilings the 48,000 square foot play centre offers 450 slot machines, popular table games such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat and many others. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
“It’s breathtaking,” smiled Belleville Mayor Taso Christopher.
Casino show girls mingle with the crowds at the casino. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
A vast lounging area features a stage that will provide live and local entertainment with a large dance floor to complement. The area can seat over 200 guests and offers seating outside too. Premium fine dining options are available at the Buffet, a full service restaurant. There is a licenced bar too.
Delicacies and desserts prepared at the Buffet restaurant. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
“This is a huge day for us,” said Rod Baker, CEO of Great Canadian Gaming. “For our own company, OLG and their modernization this is the first bundle. It joins both of our two sister properties down both sides of the highway (Shorelines Slots at Kawartha Downs and Gananoque and Leeds and Thousand Islands). “It’s a phenomenal place for people to come, eat, enjoy the entertainment and maybe do a little gaming.”
Pleased with the facility, Bay of Quinte MP and former Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis, who has seen a number of casino ribbon cuttings in the city with no casino built over the years, said it’s fantastic to see this one come to fruition.’
“It’s fantastic,” beamed Ellis.
Great Canadian Gaming Executive Director of Ontario Operations Andy LaCroix explains how racetrack betting games are coming soon to the Belleville site. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
Another notable feature includes an innovative and interactive PlaySmart Centre, operated by the Responsible Gambling Council, an independent, non-profit organization committed to problem gambling prevention and awareness of responsible gambling.
“We believe we have what we like to call gold standard policies especially with responsible gambling,” said Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) spokesman Toni Bitonti. “It is one of the privileges of having gaming in Ontario. We also have to have that balance which is the responsible gambling portion of it as well.”
Responsible gaming staff is on-site Monday through Thursday 12 p.m. to 8 p.m and Friday through Sunday 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. They can be contacted by phone at 1-866-463-3808 or by emailing community@rgco.org
For more details on the Shorelines Casino Belleville visit www.shorelinescasinos.com
Get ready to place your bets. Shorelines Casino Belleville grand opening at 5. pic.twitter.com/sVbN2GLOvk
— Nicole Kleinsteuber (@NewsualSuspects) January 11, 2017
QN reporter Nicole Kleinsteuber @NewsualSuspects got a sneak peak at Shorelines Casino Belleville.Full story coming. pic.twitter.com/OzVKIi3Gqz
— Quinte News (@quintenews) January 11, 2017
