Plans to revitalize Windsor as a premier entertainment destination will take a major step forward on Thursday, June 19, 2008, as the newly re-branded Caesars Windsor opens the doors to its expanded facilities at a gala celebration.

Legendary rock star Billy Joel will perform for invited guests at the Gala Opening event – a signal of the high-calibre entertainment to be featured in the spectacular new 5,000-seat Colosseum theatre.

Other headliners already booked for this summer include Patti Labelle (June 26/27), Michael Bolton (June 28), Ringo Starr And His All Starr Band (July 11), Reba McEntire (July 17/18) and Donna Summer (August 27/28).  Tickets for these shows will be available to the public, through caesarswindsor.com, starting on April 29.

In addition, Howie Mandell will be taping six episodes of a new show at Caesars Windsor July 27-29.  This show will be on the NBC network and on Global TV in Canada.

“We are very excited about launching a new era for Windsor as a travel and entertainment hot-spot,” said Kevin Laforet, President and CEO of Windsor Casino Limited. 

In addition to the Colosseum, the expanded property will include a new luxury hotel tower – the 369-room Augustus Tower, which, at 27 stories, will be the tallest building on Windsor’s skyline – as well as 100,000-square feet of convention space, making it the largest casino resort in the Windsor-Detroit market, and the largest casino resort in all of Canada.

"We are proud to have invested close to $430 million to date in this exciting expanded facility," said Kelly McDougald, CEO of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. "We look forward to attracting new and repeat visitors to Caesars."

When it opens June 19, Caesars Windsor will be the first Caesars property in Canada, and the Colosseum will be the largest entertainment venue at any Caesars resort.

“The name ‘Caesars’ instantly conveys an image of excellence, high-quality amenities and superb service – and I can assure you Caesars Windsor will live up to that reputation,” Laforet said.  “We are ready to compete and we look forward to showing the world the best Windsor has to offer.”

Today’s announcement is the first in a series of exciting events building up to the Gala Opening June 19.  Other milestones will include the installation of giant, 112-foot Caesars Windsor neon signs atop each hotel tower (on April 23 and April 30), and property tours for employees and media starting in late May.

For more information, please contact:
Holly Ward
Director, Communications and Community Affairs
1-800-991-7777 or (519) 258-7878, ext. 22869