Pickering has hit the jackpot.

The city has been chosen to host a casino as part of the Durham Live entertainment complex.

The company that operates GTA gaming facilities, Ontario Gaming GTA L.P, a part of Great Canadian Gaming Corp., made the announcement Tuesday.

It means that Casino Ajax, which opened in 2006, will have to close.

Jobs from the Ajax facility will be transferred to the new Pickering site at Church Street and Bayly Street. The Pickering casino will employ 2,000 people total and 1,700 will be new jobs.

The future of horse racing in Ajax, which relies heavily on gaming revenue, is now very much in peril.

Aside from a casino, the Durham Live site will feature an indoor water park, TV and film studios, hotels, convention space, restaurants and shopping.

Durham Live will overall create an estimated 10,000 new jobs.

“Investing hundreds of millions of private sector dollars in the Durham Region economy will mean more construction and operations jobs for people in Ajax and Pickering, more procurement opportunities for local companies, more tourism in the region, and more government revenues to support communities,” said Rod Baker, President and CEO, Great Canadian Gaming.

Pickering Mayor Dave Ryan say its been in the works for a long time and is happy that a final decision has been made.

“We are pleased that Great Canadian Gaming, Durham Live, and now OLG and the province have seen that Pickering is the best place to be,” said Ryan.

The announcement, while not a total surprise, comes as huge blow to Ajax, who receives millions from their casino and has fought hard to keep it.

Shovels are expected to break ground by the end of this year, with the casino opening in late 2019.

Ajax responded the announcement on Tuesday with a joint statement from Ajax Council and the Quarter Horse Racing Industry:

“Today, Great Canadian Gaming (GCG) announced their intention to close the Ajax Casino. It is not entirely clear if GCG has approval from Minister Charles Sousa or Premier Kathleen Wynne as they have been silent on this issue today. An announcement of this magnitude by GCG without formal approval from the Province is irresponsible and premature. The Town of Ajax was not notified in advance of today’s decision. Once again, leaving the community and quarter horse racing industry in the dark. We are astounded that even our local MPP Joe Dickson had nothing to say today regarding this significant announcement in his riding. This reckless decision was made before a scheduled court hearing regarding the Durham Live site set for April 12, 2018. It would be nearsighted and negligent for the Minister of Finance to sign on the dotted line if the location is a gamble, which the Town of Ajax has proven it to be. We believe that the Ajax Casino remains the best site for an expanded casino because: Durham Live has no access to the 401; will result in clogged streets, gridlock and traffic delays.

Ajax site is one of the most successful gaming facilities in North America, in a location which is primed for expansion, with access to the 401 and 412 highways.

An expanded Ajax Casino will provide the same job opportunities and economic benefits to Durham Region.

Ajax Council endorsed a 50% revenue sharing model to key stakeholders, contingent on the casino staying in Ajax.

Ajax site will allow continued co-location, operational success and long-term viability of quarter horse racing at Ajax Downs. A Durham Live site could close the racetrack as early as 2019. The Town of Ajax will challenge this decision on the grounds noted above. We call on the Premier, Minister and our MPP to provide justification by completing an independent, third party review of the decision to relocate the Ajax Casino”.