Sudbury Businessman Touts New Casino Resort, but OLG Says Gateway Has Exclusive Rights

By jili tutorial · September 2, 2026

Sudbury Businessman Pushes Forward with New Casino Resort Plans, but OLG Says Gateway Holds Exclusive Rights

A Sudbury entrepreneur says plans for a new hotel and casino in the city are advancing, with a target opening date of 2030-31—two decades after the concept was first floated. The proposed Country Pine Casino & Resort, shown in a rendering posted online, aims to bring a Las Vegas-style gaming and entertainment destination to Northern Ontario.

Ambitious Resort Plans Unveiled

Dan Abdel-Nour announced his vision for Country Pine Casino & Resort in a Facebook news release in August. In an article published Aug. 26 by The Sudbury Star, he described the project as “very real.” According to the release, the private-sector development would include:

An 18-story luxury hotel
A mix of fine-dining and casual restaurants, plus lounges
A concert hall and theater with seating for approximately 8,000 people
A “high-end” casino featuring 50 to 100 tables and 2,000 slot machines
A luxury spa and fitness center
Corporate meeting and conference facilities
Event spaces for weddings, galas, conventions, and private functions

The property would be situated adjacent to the Silver Hills complex in Sudbury. At the top of the hotel, a Diamond Star Rooftop restaurant would offer panoramic views of Ramsey Lake and the La Cloche Mountain range. A retail promenade would include boutique shops and a barista-style coffee café.

Luxury Amenities Anchor the Proposal

“Country Pine Casino & Resort is expected to serve as a catalyst project for Greater Sudbury and Northern Ontario, attracting visitors, investment, and new development opportunities throughout the region,” the statement read.

Abdel-Nour’s Facebook post also quoted Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre, who expressed support for the project. The mayor referenced the city’s SPART process (pre-consultation for proposed developments) and noted that the team is working with J.L. Richards & Associates on architecture and engineering. The entire development would be financed through private investment, with the door still open for additional capital partners.

Ontario’s Casino Approval Process: A Complex Roadmap

However, the Country Pine Casino & Resort is not connected to the Kingsway Employment District (KED), which is slated to host a new Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited property. And, according to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), the path forward is far from straightforward.

In Ontario, the OLG conducts and manages the province’s land-based casino system, while the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) regulates casinos and registers their operators, suppliers, and key employees. Land-based casinos in the province are grouped into regional gaming bundles. An AGCO spokesperson explained that the OLG must first greenlight a project before a competitive procurement process can begin. Additionally, a new casino site requires formal municipal approval before the OLG can proceed.

Gateway Holds Exclusive Rights in Sudbury Gaming Zone

If an operator is selected, they enter into a long-term Casino Operating and Services Agreement (COSA) with the OLG. Once contracted, the operator, its executives, key employees, and gaming suppliers undergo background and sustainability reviews by the AGCO to obtain registration.

“There can only be one casino in the Sudbury gaming zone,” said Tony Bitonti, an OLG spokesperson. “Gateway Casinos and Entertainment Limited has exclusive rights to operate Gateway Casinos Sudbury on behalf of OLG in the North Gaming Bundle.

“While Gateway is currently working with the City of Sudbury to relocate its casino to a parcel of land at 2550 Kingsway, it is not related to the Country Pine Casino proposal, and Gateway is not considering any other locations.”