New casino?

[drpgq]

Originally Posted by coalminecanary

More "jobs and revenue" spin from the — leeches. — is not an "industry". It produces zero value. Electronic bingo is just one step closer to slot machines.

If delta bingo left downtown Hamilton, the core would immediately see improvements in activity and property standards. It's dragging the Gore down like an anchor.

Paul Wilson did an article on the CBC website about the building and the upstairs struck me as an awesome place for some software startups, as it looked to be mostly open concept.

[thistleclub]

Significantly, no mention of horse racing.

Ajax slots staying put, for now
(DurhamRegion.com, Keith Gilligan, Feb 28 2013)

The slot machines will continue to operate at Ajax Downs for another three to five years while the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation decides the future of the casino.

OLG spokesman Tony Bitonti said the corporation has a lease agreement in principle with site owners. The current lease was set to expire at the end of March.

As a tenant, OLG doesn't own the building and would have had to vacate the site if the lease wasn't renewed, Mr. Bitonti added.

Signing the lease means "business as usual" at the slots, he said.

"It means we're legally there past March 31."

OLG is reorganizing its operations that will see the corporation no longer involved in the day-to-day operations of casinos, including Ajax Downs. Part of the reorganization is dividing the province into zones, with one gaming facility in each zone....

In the next few months, OLG will be seeking a request for pre-qualification (RFPQ) from companies interested in running a site, Mr. Bitonti said.

With an RFPQ, companies would supply information about themselves to OLG, so the corporation can ensure bidders have the ability to run a gaming facility. Between three to five companies would then be chosen to submit a request for proposal, and one would be selected.

Whoever is chosen to run Ajax Downs would "take over operations at Ajax Downs. They would be the day-to-day operators," Mr. Bitonti said.

The operator would make the decision on where a facility would be, he added.

"They could stay in Ajax, expand in Ajax or they could relocate," he said.

There is a process if the operator decides to relocate, Mr. Bitonti noted.

The operator would have to ensure the move is feasible, as the operator would be paying to construct a new facility. The municipality where the facility would move to would have to be a willing host, and "the OLG would have to put the final stamp of approval on it. All three parties would have to be in agreement for anything to be moved or to happen," Mr. Bitonti said.

[thistleclub]

Boardwalk Gaming (Pembroke) and Delta Bingo (Pickering) are the latest conversions under the OLG's Charitable Bingo and Gaming Revitalization Initiative.

[thistleclub]

Total war continues apace.

Online Gaming: Will it cannibalize poker at OLG Casinos?
(Toronto Star, Morgan Campbell, Mar 01 2013)

While U.S. federal authorities continue cracking down on internet — site operators, New Jersey governor Chris Christie this week signed a bill legalizing online gaming in his state. And by this fall, long before Toronto’s proposed waterfront casino materializes, Ontario Lottery and Gaming will be operating an online — portal.

The reason is clear: cash.

With Atlantic City’s casinos struggling, Christie hopes online gaming can revive New Jersey’s sagging — industry. And OLG officials estimate Ontarians spend between $400 million and $500 million annually — at off-shore web sites.

“That gray market cash is going to Malta and going to the Isle of Man,” says OLG spokesperson Tony Bitonti. “It’s not staying in Ontario.”

But experts warn online — can’t save an industry, let alone an economy, and point out there’s a large discrepancy between how much gamers spend online and how much of that money the government ultimately receives.

“For the government, what is the risk factor? How much can they lose,” says William Thompson, University of Nevada-Las Vegas professor and casino industry expert. “It’s not a guaranteed win. It’s not’s not a panacea. If a casino wins $400 million from the players it’s a little different.”

Bitonti says the OLG’s expansion into online gaming is part of a five-year plan to increase the corporation’s annual contribution to government coffers to $3 billion from the current $2 billion. Over that span, he expects online — revenue to total roughly $375 billion.

OLG’s internet — program will allow Ontarians to play a variety of games from their computers, tablets or mobile phones.

[realcity]

I don't think so. There is nothing like sitting at a real poker table with live people and holding those cards and chips. Video games don't come close to the fun of real poker.

[realcity]

Whatever happens Flamboro will still be open as a casino for at least 2 years, while the new casino gets built or if it just remains as is with a few gaming tables. Whether or not horse racing will exist there is now up to itself to see if it can be viable without slots $.

I'm thinking a new location will get selected by OLG and approved by council to open in 2015. While the operators will take control of Flamboro in the short term. It'll be Confed Park or in Ward 2 or 3.

[thistleclub]

Special focus and familiar graphic wordplay.



Casino crapshoot (NOW, Ellie Kirzner, Feb 28 2013)
Follow the money (NOW, Enzo Di Matteo, Feb 28 2013)
That casino sucking sound (NOW, Ken Greenberg, Feb 28 2013)
Hook, line and sinker (NOW, Jason Applebaum, Feb 28 2013)
Banking on a bad habit (NOW, Mike Layton, Feb 28 2013)
Horse sense (NOW, Ben Spurr, Feb 28 2013)
Betting backstory (NOW, Adam Giambrone, Feb 28 2013)
Not falling for Niagara (NOW, Jonathan Goldsbie, Feb 28 2013)

[coalminecanary]

The first paragraph of the first article you linked sums up exactly why, from an image standpoint, a casino here would have a negative effect on the influx of new citizens and tourism - the opposite of what's being sold to us:

Toronto is a city with massive civic self-respect, and all that glitter would merely identify us with the kind of glitzy hucksterism that signals a metropolis in decline. Talk about demoralizing: instead of branding T.O. as an arts-rich, sophisticated city teaming with citizen initiative and bursting with green aspirations, we’d get stamped as a quick-buck haven where any and all manipulation is on if it yanks money out of pockets for statistically improbable gains. Most gaming operations on this continent were built as last-ditch measures in unfortunate, desperate, communities. Is that really us?

[thistleclub]

It’s decision time on potential Woolwich casino
(KW Record, Greg Mercer, Mar 4 2013)

ELMIRA — For Woolwich Township Mayor Todd Cowan, it’s a chance to rewrite history. It may also be the biggest decision he’s faced yet.

After months of debate, public meetings and arguments on both sides, Woolwich Township’s leaders will vote Tuesday night whether or not to tell the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. they’d be a willing host for a casino.

If they vote yes, Waterloo Region could become home to a casino with as many as 1,200 slots and hundreds of tables — a prospect that doesn’t sit well with Woolwich’s neighbouring urban municipalities.

A proposal by the rural township that suggests the potential casino could go on the border with either Waterloo or Kitchener has only increased that tension. Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr has argued the region ought to have a say on a project that could impact shared policing and social services.

But for Cowan, this is Woolwich’s decision to make, with millions of dollars on the line. The township estimates a casino could generate about $4 million a year in hosting revenue, which it says could be used to fix roads, bridges and other infrastructure.

[thistleclub]

Wasaga Beach is in Zone C7 (up to 300 slot machines, table games TBD).

Staff to report back on casino option, New Tecumseth not in OLG zone
(New Tecumseth Free Press, Mar 5 2013)

Deputy mayor Rick Milne won support last night to have Town staff look into its options related to hosting one of the small OLG casinos allocated to specified zones across the province. However, New Tecumseth isn't included within the two zones designated in the Simcoe County region. The nearest, C5, includes Barrie, Innisfil, and Oro-Medonto, while the other, includes Wasaga Beach, Clearview, and Collingwood. Innisfil has been assured by OLG that it will continue to be a host for slot machines, but whether that happens at Georgian Downs in the long term, continues to be negotiated. Barrie has been discussing the casino option, but no firm decision has been made. Wasaga Beach is the only municipality that has voted to be a willing host site.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

I'm nauseated by all of this. I truly feel that we, as a province, should be ashamed of ourselves.

[thistleclub]

Woolwich welcomes casino
(KW Record, Paige Desmond, Mar 05 2013)

Woolwich councillors looked opposition in the eye Tuesday and didn’t blink — councillors voted 4-1 to support a casino in the township.

Officials will tell the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation they’re interested in bringing a casino to the region....

The move will bring up to 1,200 slot machines and hundreds of gaming tables to one of two sites in the township: 2609 Shantz Station Rd. where about 13 acres could be developed or 800 King St. N. where about 18 acres could be developed.

Councillors approved the move with several conditions attached related to: the revenue agreement with the gaming corporation, ways to deal with problem —, and that councillors agree on the location among other issues....

The township underwent a public consultation process that included a public meeting, online survey and questionnaire sent to every residence in Woolwich.

In total, 11 per cent of the township’s eligible voting population — 1,866 people — responded. Thirty-eight per cent were in favour of a casino and 62 per cent were not.

Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and the townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley and Wilmot have all either voted against a casino or expressed no interest.

[thistleclub]

Casino site options narrowed to three after five-hour public meeting
(Peterborough Examiner, Brendan Wedley, Mar 6 2013)

City council members argued it’s not a question of whether the city should have a casino; rather it’s a matter of where it should be built in the community.

After listening to 26 delegations over five hours Tuesday night, council debated the preferred locations in the city that it will provide to Ontario Lottery and Gaming.

Council's endorsed directing the potential casino to the downtown, the city's east end along Ashburnham Dr. or Lansdowne St. E., or near The Parkway and Crawford Dr. It would remove the potential location just west of the city in Cavan Monaghan Township after the township's mayor and deputy mayor hammered city council for thinking about annexation.

The overwhelming majority of presenters were against casinos.

Coun. Bill Juby recognized the concerns, but added he has spoken with a lot of people in the community who feel the city needs the casino and should have it.

“Basically, OLG is coming,” he said. “We've had a casino since 1999.”

Council made the decision shortly after midnight.

The item returns to the regular council meeting March 18.

OLG hopes to select a private-sector operator for the casino for the Peterborough area by the end of the year. That company would choose the location — and could choose to keep it at Kawartha Downs.

[coalminecanary]

Originally Posted by pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce

I'm nauseated by all of this. I truly feel that we, as a province, should be ashamed of ourselves.

Yep, it's pretty pathetic. Casinos as economic drivers? A ship of fools navigating the cruel seas of economic uncertainty.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iZ49s7eH5g

I have an idea - get rid of taxes altogether and generate all government income from —. It's such a great economic driver.

How about whenever a manufacturing plant closes, we train all the employees as dealers and replace it with a casino.

It's sound economic policy!

[Dr Awesomesauce]

^All joking aside, it's desperation on behalf of the province, isn't it. How screwed are we that this is what it's all come down to? So sad.

[mattgrande]

Originally Posted by thistleclub

Woolwich welcomes casino
(KW Record, Paige Desmond, Mar 05 2013)

Woolwich councillors looked opposition in the eye Tuesday and didn’t blink — councillors voted 4-1 to support a casino in the township.
...
In total, 11 per cent of the township’s eligible voting population — 1,866 people — responded. Thirty-eight per cent were in favour of a casino and 62 per cent were not.
...
Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and the townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley and Wilmot have all either voted against a casino or expressed no interest.

This is Woolwich essentially saying "We don't care what our citizens say, and we don't care about what our neighbours say." Especially with that King Street location, just barely outside of Waterloo.

[coalminecanary]

Originally Posted by pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce

^All joking aside, it's desperation on behalf of the province, isn't it. How screwed are we that this is what it's all come down to? So sad.

The really sad thing is that it doesn't have to come down to this. We have a world of opportunities for real progressive change but nobody is willing to move forward, mostly because we are paralyzed by the fear of letting go of the culture of commuting.

Most places in the world would KILL for the kind of geography and resources we have in Ontario. And we resort to —.

[thistleclub]

Lobbying role leaves Metrolinx head out of talks on casino impact
(Globe & Mail, Karen Howlett, Mar 6 2013)

The head of Ontario’s regional transit agency will have to stay out of discussions involving a Toronto casino and the impact on traffic and transportation because he’s also registered as a lobbyist for one of the giant consortiums pushing to build a — resort downtown.

Metrolinx chairman Robert Prichard has agreed to leave the room if the topic of new casinos and the accompanying transit issues involved in choosing a location comes up during board meetings. This is part of an undertaking he made to Metrolinx to prevent a potential conflict of interest in his dual roles as head of the provincial agency and registered lobbyist for a private-sector casino operator....

“I have pre-emptively said if there is ever an issue involving the casino file and Metrolinx, do not include me,” Mr. Prichard said. “As far as I know, there has not been.”

[thistleclub]

New Ontario Government™ PR:

Four More Race Tracks Sign Funding Agreements

"The new Ontario government has reached tentative transition funding agreements with Western Fair, Clinton, Hanover and Grand River race tracks -- the next step in ensuring race dates for the 2013 season.... The new Ontario government is committed to supporting a sustainable racing industry that is fair to industry partners and the people of the province."

To that end, "Up to $30 million will be available for the Horse Improvement Program in 2013."

Putting that funding in perspective, the Horse Racing Industry Transition Panel's Interim Report noted that Ontario's horse racing industry's share of slots revenue totalled $345 million in 2011-2012.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

'Horse Improvement Plan'

I love it. Strapping a harness onto a horse is not an improvement to their situation unless the only other option is the glue factory.