Ontario Premier Doug Ford formally announced the province’s plans to make Niagara Falls “the Las Vegas of the North,” and he warned that current casino operator Mohegan has to decide quickly whether it wants to be involved or not.
Speaking at a press conference on Dec. 15, Ford confirmed that his provincial government intends to pump billions of dollars into Niagara, including exploring options to open more casinos, as well as building a theme park and other new landmarks.
“Niagara has the potential to be a true tourism powerhouse, a world-class destination that drives Ontario’s economy and keeps tens of thousands of Ontario workers on the job,” the Premier told reporters. “We’re doing everything we can to unlock that potential.”
Ford wants big Vegas brands in Niagara
A fundamental part of the Ford government’s Destination Niagara Strategy is for more casinos to open in the region.
“We want more casinos, large casinos, to come here,” he said on Monday. “One of the options being explored is the potential development of multiple new world-class casinos to provide more options for visitors, encourage the development of new hotels, entertainment venues and restaurants, boosting the economy and helping create tens of thousands of good jobs.”
“All the big casinos in Las Vegas: We’re serious,” Ford added. “It’s happening. Get on board. Come and put a proposal in, come and tell us how you’re going to build a billion-dollar hotel with attractions, with cinemas inside, with live theatre. That’s what we’re looking for.”
Premier tells Mohegan ‘enough’s enough’
There are currently two casinos in Niagara Falls, Fallsview Casino and Casino Niagara, which are both operated by Connecticut-based tribal company Mohegan under a revenue-share agreement with Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) that runs until 2040. Mohegan also runs the PlayFallsview iGaming platform, tied to the casino brand, which has been growing strongly through 2025.
During the question period, a reporter asked Ford whether he is satisfied with Mohegan as Niagara’s casino operator.
“We need to do better, 100%. Mohegan is ragging the puck,” Ford said, using a hockey term that refers to keeping possession as a defensive tactic. “They’ve got to make a decision. You’re either on board or you’re out, simple. I’m tired of screwing around. We have to build Niagara, we have to invite other casinos in, and they’d better come to the table.
Back in October 2024, both Ford and Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati said that the provincial government and the municipality were in talks with Mohegan. Diodati said at that time that the current Mohegan-only model deters major investments in updates and renovations.
“We’ve been working with them for, what is it, about two years now?” Ford asked rhetorically on Monday. “Enough’s enough. We’re moving with you or without you. I’d prefer to move with you, but if you don’t move, we’re going. Simple as that.”
Canadian Gaming Business reached out to Mohegan for comment.
Ontario wants to double visitors, extend stays
The Destination Niagara Strategy also includes plans to build a new theme park, transform the Toronto Power Generating Station into what Minister of Culture, Tourism and Gaming Stan Cho said will be Niagara’s first five-star hotel and improve transportation, including more GO Trains, a widened highway and a major expansion of the Niagara District Airport into a major commercial international airport.
Ultimately, Ford and the government want to double the number of annual visitors to Niagara Falls from the current 13 million to 25 million, and to double the region’s tourism impact by generating an additional $3 billion for Ontario’s GDP each year.
“We want to double the number of visitors who come to Niagara every year, and we want to double the amount of time they spend in Niagara,” added Ford in the press conference. He says the current average stay is two days, but he wants that to grow to at least four days.
“When they go to a casino, they’re going to be renting a hotel room, they’re going out to restaurants and attractions. Casino itself is good, but it’s everything else that comes along with the casinos.”
