A businessman in Sudbury has announced plans to open a new hotel and casino in the city by 2030-31, two decades after the project was first conceived.

Dan Abdel-Nour revealed his plans for the Country Pine Casino & Resort in a Facebook news release back in August. An article in The Sudbury Star on Aug. 26 confirmed that the project was moving forward.

The development will include an 18-story luxury hotel, various restaurants, lounges, a concert hall, and a theater with 8,000 seats.

Ambitious Resort Plans

The upscale casino will have 50-100 tables and 2,000 slots, offering a full range of gaming options similar to top resorts in Las Vegas.

Located near the Silver Hills complex in the city, the project will also feature a luxury spa, fitness center, meeting facilities, and event spaces for various functions.

On top of the hotel, there will be a rooftop restaurant with panoramic views of Ramsey Lake and the La Cloche Mountain range. The retail area will have a mix of boutique shops and a coffee café.

Luxury Amenities Anchor Proposal

The development is expected to attract visitors and investors to Sudbury and Northern Ontario, according to the statement.

Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre expressed his support for the project, which is still open to additional investors and is being developed with J.L. Richards & Associates.

The project will be funded by private investment and aims to be a catalyst for further development in the region.

Ontario’s Casino Approval Process

The Country Pine Casino & Resort is separate from the Kingsway Employment District (KED) where a new Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited property will be located.

However, approval from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) is required for the project to proceed.

OLG manages Ontario’s land-based casinos while the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) regulates casinos and their operators.

Formal municipal approval is needed before OLG can move forward with a new casino site in Ontario.

Gateway Holds Exclusive Rights

There can only be one casino in the Sudbury area, and Gateway Casinos and Entertainment Limited has exclusive rights to operate in the North Gaming Bundle.

Gateway is in the process of relocating its casino in Sudbury to a new location but is not connected to the Country Pines Casino proposal.

Gateway must undergo background and sustainability reviews by AGCO before obtaining registration for its casino operations in the area.