Fallsview Casino celebrates a decade of gaming in Niagara

Fallsview Casino turned 10 on June 10. The 24-hour casino resort, overlooking the mighty Niagara Falls - one of the top vistas in the world - celebrates a decade of gaming and strong community partnerships in Niagara.

"This is an incredible milestone for our organization," said Art Frank, president of Fallsview Casino and Casino Niagara. "Despite the industry's ebbs and flows, we've remained a competitive player in our market and, as we reflect on our achievements and look forward to the next 10 years, we do so with tremendous gratitude to our patrons, employees and partners, who make us one of North America's premier entertainment and tourist attractions."

To mark its 10th anniversary in June, Fallsview Casino has been offering patrons an assortment of special festivities, from gaming promotions and dining experiences to promotional giveaways. A stellar live entertainment lineup featuring the likes of international percussion sensation STOMP and Grammy-winning Gladys Knight further bolster June's activity calendar.

When Fallsview Casino opened to the public June 10, 2004, it signaled the arrival of Las Vegas-style entertainment in Niagara Falls. It represented the largest privately financed construction project in Canada, and a defining role in the tourism revitalization of the city and the region from a seasonal stopover to a year-round destination.

Ten years later, Fallsview Casino still draws nearly 8 million visitors a year with its 2.5 million square feet of shopping, dining, hospitality and entertainment. It remains one of the region's largest employers and maintains a commitment to its legacy of responsible corporate citizenship and generous community support.

Looking back, Fallsview Casino has a lot to celebrate.

Since the legendary Paul Anka christened the Avalon stage with a pair of shows in June 2004, the casino has hosted nearly 2,500 performances, spotlighting many of entertainment's greats such as Sophia Loren, Al Pacino, Ringo Starr, Carol Burnett, Keith Urban, Aretha Franklin, Reba and more.

As a four-year recipient of Hamilton-Niagara's Top Employers award, Fallsview Casino has earned recognition and honors highlighting everything from operational excellence and creating a healthy workplace to philanthropy and community partnerships. Grantors include Benefits Canada, Canada's Top 100 Employers, Canadian Cancer Society (Niagara Unit), City of Niagara Falls, United Way, CAA and Wine Spectator, to list only a few.

Readers of the Niagara Falls Review, Toronto Sun and Hamilton Spectator newspapers recently voted Fallsview Casino Resort "Best Live Entertainment Venue," "Ontario's Favourite Casino" and "Favourite Entertainment Destinations (Casino/Slots)," respectively.

"The Readers' Choice awards carry a lot of weight for us, because it's awarded based on customer vote," Frank said. "The healthy workplace and philanthropy awards are equally as important, because they reflect the kind of company we strive to be for our employees and for our community."

Synonymous with excitement and entertainment, Fallsview Casino continues to push the bar higher to shape impressive audience experiences, including venturing outside the realm of traditional advertising. With a smartphone in nearly everyone's pockets nowadays, Fallsview Casino, in partnership with Toronto's Blammo Worldwide, leveraged mobile technology to launch its first augmented reality billboard in 2013, which gave onlookers a unique and interactive visual experience.

Its ability to push creativity to produce distinctive and humorous marketing campaigns hasn't gone unnoticed in the gaming-entertainment industry, garnering yearly nods in "Best Outdoor Advertisement" and "Best Broadcast Advertisement - Television."

Together, the casinos boast a proud history of corporate philanthropy giving more than $15 million to support an array of social service programs and providers within Niagara, including, but not limited to, the United Way of Niagara Falls and Greater Fort Erie ($3.6 million), Niagara Health System Foundation ($2.5M), Niagara Community Foundation ($750,000), Niagara College Foundation ($750,000), Boys & Girls Club for the Niagara Falls Community Centre ($250,000), and McBain Community Centre in Niagara Falls ($250,000).

Fallsview Casino has been a proud, long-time host sponsor of three Niagara signature fundraising events, namely the Niagara Wine Festival's Icewine Gala, Niagara Community Foundation's Cuvée and Niagara College Foundation's Seafood Gala.

The economic impact of Fallsview Casino doesn't stop with charitable contributions. Many employees, executives and senior managers donate thousands of volunteer hours each year serving on boards of local tourism and nonprofit organizations while helping to raise awareness for local initiatives.

Other Business Highlights 2004-14:

• Paid out nearly $3 billion in payroll and benefits, largely in the Niagara Region
• Invested nearly $15M in donations to local charities and sponsorship of community events
• Held 17 United Way workplace campaigns with donations exceeding $3.6M; annual donations represent nearly 25 percent of UW's total campaign goal
• A significant supporter of blockbuster and signature events in Niagara Falls
• Maintain corporate memberships with various local chambers of commerce and destination marketing associations
• Earned ninth consecutive CAA Four-Diamond honors for Fallsview's luxury hotel
• Earned CAA Four-Diamond honors for fine-dining restaurants, 21 Club (eight years) and Ponte Vecchio (four years) as well as Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence for both establishments
• Garnered fourth consecutive designation as one of Hamilton-Niagara's Top Employers