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Slots Opportunity Piques Mercanti’s Interest (Meredith MacLeod, Hamilton Spectator, Apr 3 2012)

The province is throwing open the Flamboro Downs gaming slots licence to bidders, and banquet centre operator Peter Mercanti says he’s interested.

“It’s certainly something I would look at. There’s no guarantees but I would take a look,” said Mercanti, owner of Carmen’s banquet centre and the new C Hotel on the Mountain and the Lakeview ballroom at Confederation Park. He’s also bidding to take over the city-owned Hamilton Convention Centre.

“If there’s an opportunity to keep that money in our city, that’s important,” Mercanti said of the slot business. “I’m not an advocate of gambling but if it’s a money-maker, as a businessman you have to take a look.”

He expects there will be a lot of interest in a future request for proposal (RFP) to operate a slot licence currently held by Flamboro Downs’ owner Great Canadian Gaming Corporation.

Great Canadian Gaming was notified last week by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation that its deal to operate slots at the racetrack will expire next March. It’s part of the province’s move to end the Slots at Racetracks program, which shared gaming revenue with track operators and horse associations.

OLG will issue an RFP to interested parties in the fall. Great Canadian Gaming said it was reviewing its options.

Mercanti would only consider locating a slot facility downtown or at the current location.

“Why not keep it where it is? Why build brand new?”

Paul Burns, vice-president of the Canadian Gaming Association, says he expects Great Canadian Gaming will actively pursue the slot deal, saying the company is an experienced and successful operator across the country.

“Flamboro Downs is well situated as a regional tourist destination … It’s got a good location, access to a large population base and good transportation links. It has lots going for it.”

Along with the details of the government’s proposal, the impact of a future GTA casino will also play a role for bidders, says Burns.

“It could have no effect or it could have a large effect, but right now, the Toronto area is underserviced when it comes to gaming.”

Others at the top of the most-obvious candidates list to operate a local slots facility say they won’t be taking a shot at the licence.

Hamilton Entertainment and Convention Facilities Inc., the Waterfront Trust and former Flamboro Downs owner Charles Juravinski all say they won’t make a bid.