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-caliber 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.

"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."

BACKGROUNDERUpcoming Colosseum Entertainmen

tPatti LaBelle * June 26/27Michael Bolton * June 28Gladys Knight July 9/10Ringo Starr And His All Starr Band * July 11Reba McEntire* July 17/18Randy Travis July 24Neil Sedaka July 25/26Kenny Rogers July 31The Neville Brothers August 1Clint Black August 14Tony Orlando August 15/16Donna Summer * August 27/28Gretchen Wilson September 4Herman's Hermits September 5/6Source: Casino Windsor