Winnipeg | Hudson’s Bay Building | Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn | U/C - Page 17

pspeid · #**321** Posted **Apr 20, 2021, 5:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

I wonder if that is a quid pro quo that Manitobans might find acceptable? It's no secret that First Nations have been trying to establish a Winnipeg casino for quite some time... what if the deal is The Bay gets renovated and becomes a casino/restaurant/hotel/entertainment centre?

It wouldn't be the most ideal use for that space in my eyes, but it would keep the building lit and intact for another generation.

I have mixed feelings about this one. It's less than ideal but if it's a First nations initiative it might receive less push-back, especially if it was part of a larger hotel/convention/entertainment center development. On the other hand sticking a casino into an historic building like The Bay may come across as a little tacky.

Is the Shark Club the only "gaming" center in the downtown area now?

esquire · #**322** Posted **Apr 20, 2021, 6:00 PM**

Shark Club and I guess the super-VLT lounge at the Tavern United. That's about it for downtown.

bomberjet · #**323** Posted **Apr 20, 2021, 6:12 PM**

The only place with table games in Winnipeg are Regent, McPhillips and Shark Club. I don't think there's anything else other than VLT's.

Biff · #**324** Posted **Apr 20, 2021, 6:56 PM**

No more casino's. They are done to death.

steveosnyder · #**325** Posted **Apr 20, 2021, 7:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bomberjet

The only place with table games in Winnipeg are Regent, McPhillips and Shark Club. I don't think there's anything else other than VLT's.

Casinos are phasing out table games. God only knows why -- the only reason I would ever go to a casino is for table poker. Why play in a casino when I can have the exact same experience playing online?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manit...inos-1.5989820

optimusREIM · #**326** Posted **Apr 20, 2021, 7:58 PM**

Gosh what is left of the experience of a casino that can't be had online if they do this. They cited that it invites people into the social atmosphere more. Bullshit and probably wrong, they just care about scaling up the money they can extract from those unfortunate enough to be caught up in it. The live experience is the only reason I would ever visit a casino. The vlts depress the hell out of me

bomberjet · #**327** Posted **Apr 20, 2021, 8:03 PM**

Wasn't 100% clear in the article. But it seems like it's for the "forseeable future" based on covid restrictions. Sounded like the dealer would run the table and people would observe on a screen from a distance.

Some of the statements in that article are bogus. Talks about intimidation of sitting at a table with other people. Ya, that's the casino. That's part of the whole tings. You get to see everyone and what they're doing. If they remove table poker, what's the point?

Table games are the only thing a casino has to offer. If those are non-existent, what's the point in going?

optimusREIM · #**328** Posted **Apr 20, 2021, 8:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bomberjet

Wasn't 100% clear in the article. But it seems like it's for the "forseeable future" based on covid restrictions. Sounded like the dealer would run the table and people would observe on a screen from a distance.

Some of the statements in that article are bogus. Talks about intimidation of sitting at a table with other people. Ya, that's the casino. That's part of the whole tings. You get to see everyone and what they're doing. If they remove table poker, what's the point?

Table games are the only thing a casino has to offer. If those are non-existent, what's the point in going?

Exactly. Save money by moving the whole operation online if you're gonna make it virtual anyways

Boreal · #**329** Posted **Apr 21, 2021, 12:32 AM**

Casinos are in massive trouble COVID or no COVID since the average age of their principal clientele is aging and aging rapidly, and there is very little back fill. I would imagine the business model for a casino is going to need tremendous rethinking as an entertainment space.

steveosnyder · #**330** Posted **Apr 21, 2021, 2:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boreal

Casinos are in massive trouble COVID or no COVID since the average age of their principal clientele is aging and aging rapidly, and there is very little back fill. I would imagine the business model for a casino is going to need tremendous rethinking as an entertainment space.

I wonder if this has to do more with disposable income, or just a loss of appitite for gambling amongst younger generations?

I don't gamble, but my office has a 6/49 pool that almost everyone except I am in. So, it isn't a lack of opportunity to gamble. But most people wouldn't call 6/49 gambling (which is strange).

esquire · #**331** Posted **Apr 21, 2021, 2:48 PM**

Casino gambling will be around for a long time. You have to remember that there is a strong social element to it, especially for older people. It's not just about gambling, it is a major source of entertainment. And even though their clientele is aging rapidly, there is another generation ready to replace them.

Even though younger people may be more predisposed to gambling online and it isn't a flashy novelty to them the way it was to the boomers, there will still be many who look forward to a night out at a casino. So a casino at The Bay could conceivably work, although it wouldn't be at the top of my wish list of things for that building.

GreyGarden · #**332** Posted **Apr 21, 2021, 2:53 PM**

I don't think its an issue of income.

I think younger generations grew up with skill-based video games that has made chance-based games less appealing. The more you play, the better you get - there's no way to improve at a slot machine. In my opinion, that's partly why poker remains popular amongst young people, it still has a skill component to it.

That dynamic is a problem for casinos because table poker brings in very little money compared to slot style games.

I agree with Esquire though, it's still fun to go out to Shark Club with some friends and play a slot machine a few times for the novelty of it.

As for the Bay, I'm still holding out hope for a regular city redevelopment - at grade commercial with residential on top.

Boreal · #**333** Posted **Apr 22, 2021, 3:30 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveosnyder

I wonder if this has to do more with disposable income, or just a loss of appitite for gambling amongst younger generations?

I don't gamble, but my office has a 6/49 pool that almost everyone except I am in. So, it isn't a lack of opportunity to gamble. But most people wouldn't call 6/49 gambling (which is strange).

I don't mean to speak as any authority on this - I am not - but my understanding from those in the loop is quite clearly that come hell or high water, using any promotions, drawing Gen Y and Gen Z through the front doors at any meaningful volume is a Herculean task, outside of perhaps a singular destination, like Vegas.

TRiToNDREyJA · #**334** Posted **Apr 22, 2021, 5:25 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boreal

I don't mean to speak as any authority on this - I am not - but my understanding from those in the loop is quite clearly that come hell or high water, using any promotions, drawing Gen Y and Gen Z through the front doors at any meaningful volume is a Herculean task, outside of perhaps a singular destination, like Vegas.

Gambling is for oldies, we're all about the crypto.

optimusREIM · #**335** Posted **Apr 22, 2021, 3:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRiToNDREyJA

Gambling is for oldies, we're all about the crypto.

Lol so what you're saying is gambling isn't just for oldies. I jest, crypto is getting more and more solid. Its cycles are going to become less extreme as time goes on. Good hedge against all sorts of traditional market problems.

GarryEllice · #**336** Posted **Jun 10, 2021, 1:21 PM**

The boards have been taken off the windows on the Portage Avenue side and a WAG/Qaumajuq art display has been installed behind the glass. (Maybe on the Memorial side too? I didn't see.)

Biff · #**337** Posted **Jun 10, 2021, 1:24 PM**

https://www.businesswire.com/news/ho...ndigenous-Art-

for beautifying up the boarded up windows.

esquire · #**338** Posted **Jun 10, 2021, 2:03 PM**

Nice touch... as was noted before, if a closed down Eatons didn't have to be boarded up and abandoned-looking, maybe The Bay doesn't have to be either.

I wonder if there was any damage resulting from the plywood installation?

Biff · #**339** Posted **Jun 10, 2021, 2:31 PM**

...edit

drew · #**340** Posted **Jun 11, 2021, 2:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

Nice touch... as was noted before, if a closed down Eatons didn't have to be boarded up and abandoned-looking, maybe The Bay doesn't have to be either.

I wonder if there was any damage resulting from the plywood installation?

Lots of noticeable screw holes through the brass window frames.