Hamilton casino question can't wait, OLG says
http://www.cbc.ca/hamilton/news/stor...eferendum.html
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) says it's now or never if Hamilton wants a casino.
Larry Flynn, senior vice-president of gaming, told councillors in a letter Thursday that the OLG can't wait until 2014 for a referendum, nor will it help the city fund one before then.
The OLG “will continue to move forward to implement our modernization plan and related procurement activities,” Flynn wrote.
“We remain optimistic that Hamilton council will consider its options and make a decision in a timely way.”
Flynn appeared before the city's general issues committee earlier this week. The committee asked him to look into extending the OLG's lease at Flamboro Downs — where it currently operates 801 slots — beyond March 2013.
Doing this would give the city time to put the casino question on the ballot during the 2014 municipal election.
But Flynn told councillors Thursday that there is no money to help the city with a referendum, and that the OLG needs a timely answer. “We're not able to suspend the implementation,” spokesperson Tony Bitonti said.