Hiawatha Horse Park Casino in Sarnia to Shut Down as OSARP Concludes in 2026

Key Moments:

  • Hiawatha Horse Park has announced its casino will close in March 2026 as the OSARP program ends.
  • Gateway Casino Sarnia hosts 150 slot machines across a 22,000-square-foot gaming floor.
  • Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley has voiced concerns about the expected loss of over 100 local jobs.

Program Conclusion Brings Casino Operations to a Halt

The Hiawatha Horse Park in Sarnia, Canada, has now detailed plans to cease casino operations in March 2026. Moreover, the closure will mark the end of an era for the local gaming community. This comes after the scheduled conclusion of the Optional Slots at Racetracks Program (OSARP), a temporary measure that Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp (OLG) initiated in 2019 to support qualifying racetracks.

Details on Casino Operations and Closure Timeline

Gateway Casino Sarnia, operated by Gateway Casinos and Entertainment, features 150 slot machines in an approximately 22,000-square-foot gaming area. OLG senior vice-president Michelle Eaton stated: “The lease agreement for Gateway Casino Sarnia will terminate on March 31, 2026, and will not be extended. Consequently, casino operations will cease, and the casino will close on or before that date.” We are committed to working with the property owners and the casino service provider to ensure an efficient and timely decommissioning process for Gateway Casino Sarnia.”

OLG spokesperson Tony Bitonti added: “From the outset, OSARP was scheduled to end on March 31, 2026, with the casino lease not being extended, and partners being made aware during the process. We will work closely with our casino service providers and property owners to ensure the decommissioning process for these sites is as smooth as possible.”

Community Impact and Local Response

Meanwhile, local officials are expressing concerns over the anticipated effects of the closure. According to the Petrolia Lambton Independent, Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley has contacted Ontario Premier Doug Ford to address potential job losses. In addition, he raised concerns about broader ramifications for the area’s horse racing community.

“Losing over a 100 jobs plus at this difficult time in the local, Ontario and Canadian economy while we struggle the impacts with the US tariff war is unacceptable from a government agency which gives no rationale,” he said.

Expansion into Online Horse Racing Wagering

Previously, OLG launched online horse racing betting for players in Ontario, enabling wagers on live races through Woodbine Entertainment Group’s product on OLG.ca and the OLG app. Notably, this development marks OLG as the first Canadian provincial lottery and gaming organization to facilitate online access to horse racing bets. All wagers are processed via pari-mutuel betting, which is the only lawful form of wagering on horse races in Canada.

Casino NameSlot MachinesGaming Floor Size (sq ft)Planned Closure Date
Gateway Casino Sarnia15022,000March 31, 2026
  • Author

Daniel Williams

Daniel Williams has started his writing career as a freelance author at a local paper media. After working there for a couple of years and writing on various topics, he found his interest for the gambling industry.
Daniel Williams
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