Casinos And Lotteries To Bring Cash To Indian Communities in Ontario

The chiefs of Indian tribes in Ontario have worked out a deal that will call for revenue sharing from provincial lotteries and casinos.

The current deal that is in place expires in 2011. The new deal calls for $201 million to be paid immediately to 134 aboriginal communities. They also will receive a 1.7 percent cut from gaming revenues starting in 2011.

The money will go a long way towards helping the tribes in several different areas. Advancements in education and community health care will become much more prominent because of the new deal.

The chiefs agreed to drop a lawsuit that stemmed from tax that was collected at Casino Rama. It also ends three long years of negotiations.

"This money will be used to improve schools, to improve housing, to address infrastructure challenges, to provide training that will lead to more jobs," said Michael Bryant, the Aboriginal Affairs Minister.

In 2011, the Indian group will see their revenue shares two times what they are receiving now. The new total will be $120 million annually. Each individual community will decide how they use the money.

February 8, 2008
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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