It was reported that all Gateway Casinos and Entertainment properties, including Casino Rama in Orillia, had been closed due to a system-wide malfunction on April 16.
At 1 p.m. on Sunday, several locations, including Casino Rama in Orillia, the Cascades Casino in Chatham, and nearby Gateway Casinos in Sarnia, London, Woodstock, and Clinton, as well as the Playtime Casino in Hanover, were suddenly closed. It remains unknown how long the facilities will be closed. The closure had left many patrons disappointed, as Casino Rama was one of Canada’s most popular gaming destinations. However, according to the statement, the Casino Rama Resort’s hotel and Weirs restaurant would remain open despite the shutdown.
The sudden shutdown of all Gateway Casinos and Entertainment properties has raised concerns among employees, as the company has not released any further statements regarding the situation. Many are wondering about the cause of the system-wide malfunction and the timeline for the resumption of operations. Casino Rama has been operating continuously since July 31, 1996, until the pandemic shutdown in 2020. Gateway Casinos and Entertainment, which operates Casino Rama, is a significant Canadian gaming and entertainment operator with its headquarters in Burnaby, British Columbia. It has grown significantly since its inception, currently operating 23 casinos spread across Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta, and employing over 3,000 employees.
It is worth mentioning that Gateway Casinos and Entertainment Limited is one of the largest and most successful casino and entertainment companies in Western Canada. This remarkable success came after its humble beginnings with only two facilities and 150 employees back in 1992. The company is currently owned by The Catalyst Capital Group Inc., a private equity investment firm that started in 2002.