Two of this region's casinos, Elements Casino Flamboro in Dundas and Elements Casino Grand River in Elora, stand beside harness racetracks. The arrangement of slots at Ontario tracks goes back to a decision the province made in 1998.
1998: slots come to the tracks
Pari-mutuel betting on horse racing was Ontario's first legal gaming activity. Lotteries brought competition in the 1970s, and casinos followed in the 1990s, Casino Niagara among them. In 1998 the Ontario government decided that racetracks could host slots-only facilities. Slots could reduce betting on the races themselves. To offset that, OLG agreed to give racetrack operators 20% of the net revenue from slots at racetracks.
The Slots at Racetracks Program was launched the same year, putting that decision into practice. By 2006 each of the 17 racetracks in Ontario had OLG slot machines and shared the slots revenue with the province. Slots revenue at a track was split between the province and the track operator.
2013: the program ends
The Slots at Racetracks Program ended on March 31, 2013. OLG had been directed to end its agreements with racetrack operators, and the program closed with them. Since 1998 it had generated $4.1 billion for racetrack owners and horse people.
Slot machines stayed at Flamboro Downs and Grand River Raceway. On May 1, 2018, Great Canadian Gaming and Clairvest completed their purchase of OLG's West GTA gaming bundle. The buyers acted through the Ontario Gaming West GTA Limited Partnership, and four facilities took the Elements name that day. OLG Slots at Flamboro Downs became Elements Casino Flamboro, and OLG Slots at Grand River Raceway became Elements Casino Grand River. OLG Casino Brantford became Elements Casino Brantford, and the fourth facility lies outside this guide's area.
The two tracks now
Elements Casino Flamboro sits beside Flamboro Downs at 967 ON-5 in Dundas. The gaming facility there opened in 1999. Flamboro Downs runs live harness racing on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, with simulcasting from 12 PM seven days a week.
Grand River Raceway in Elora opened in 2004, and its first race date was April 24, 2004. Harness racing runs on most Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights from June to September. Race nights start at 6:20 p.m. with 10 to 12 races. Admission and parking are free.
The track belongs to the Grand River Agricultural Society, a not-for-profit. Elements Casino Grand River, on the same grounds, is operated by Great Canadian Entertainment.
Questions
Do Flamboro Downs and Grand River Raceway still race?
Both tracks still run live harness racing. Flamboro Downs races on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Grand River Raceway races on most Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights from June to September.
Is admission to the races free?
At Grand River Raceway, admission and parking are free on race nights. Admission at Flamboro Downs should be checked with the track.
Are the casinos open on days without racing?
Elements Casino Flamboro and Elements Casino Grand River are both open 24/7, race night or not. Flamboro's live table games run Sunday to Thursday 11 AM to 1 AM and Friday and Saturday 11 AM to 3 AM. Grand River lists no live table games. Holiday hours should be checked on each casino's own site.