New casino?

[coalminecanary]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

http://www.thespec.com/news/local/ar...-says-olg-boss

OLG continues to flip flop like a dying fish

[realcity]

Can't wait for Merulla's motion to fail. Flamboro is not an option. Now that Council knows they can veto any of the RFPs they will vote YES to see the proposals. The proposals will be so awesome that in the end we will have an entertainment destination downtown.

[realcity]

this sucks we wouldn't want this downtown

[coalminecanary]

I'd rather see Hamilton build back it's bustling downtown.

A Casino will not create this:

(source)

Sure, let's investigate locations. But let's focus on ones that won't kill our downtown momentum. And let's create a special fund for the kickbacks and not let it meld into general revenues.

But let's also be honest about what this $3 per month per taxpayer is going to actually cost us.

[Beedok]

I think somewhere around Confederation Park and Wild Waterworks would be good. Nice and car accessible, yet not as transit accessible (so less issues for from low income gambling hopefully), and nice and along the lakeshore. Lots of empty space out there right?

[durandy]

Originally Posted by Beedok

I think somewhere around Confederation Park and Wild Waterworks would be good. Nice and car accessible, yet not as transit accessible (so less issues for from low income gambling hopefully), and nice and along the lakeshore. Lots of empty space out there right?

That's a good point - why are the Mercantis so interested in downtown anyway? Why wouldn't they be extra eager for the casino to go up by the Red Hill or near their hotel? Maybe they're concerned it will take business away from themselves. But in any case I think it's obvious that gamblers are drivers so why this urge to have it downtown?

I think confederation park would have been great - pan am stadium, casino, hotel - create a cheesy entertainment district where the patrons won't care so much about the steel mills next door. Thanks again Chad!

[SteelTown]

Let the bidders do the RFP process. Let them do all the math, planning, present renderings and determine the locations. Let's not waste anymore breath, resources, time and energy on this, we've already wasted enough on this. Look at what Ottawa did, they didn't waste staff resources to create a 500 page casino report, which is already being ignored.

In 2014 we can than have City staff review and determine what to do with the winning bid.

[coalminecanary]

The problem with that is that bidders will craft their proposals to maximize their own benefit, but the location has an effect on the entire city. It is entirely appropriate for council to be considering the location before the bid request goes out.

[markbarbera]

The city report states a downtown location will bring maximum overall benefit to the city, even after potential social costs are factored in. It also says basically that Flamborough is a non-starter.

[CaptainKirk]

Originally Posted by markbarbera

The city report states a downtown location will bring maximum overall benefit to the city, even after potential social costs are factored in. It also says basically that Flamborough is a non-starter.

From the report,

After an extensive literature review, consultation with local experts, and detailed examination on the generally accepted most comprehensive study on the subject, there is no consensus on whether the economic impacts negate the social impacts of a Casino.

[thistleclub]

Revenue loss prompts Ontario horse-racing track operator to cut jobs
(Canadian Press, Feb 13 2013)

Ontario’s horse-racing track operator says it’s being forced to slash hundreds of positions to keep pace with a reduction in revenue.

Woodbine Entertainment Group says it’s cutting 109 salaried jobs at its Woodbine and Mohawk Racetracks.

The company says it is also cutting “a significant number” of hourly jobs, converting many positions to seasonal and reducing the amount of hourly work.

Woodbine says the cuts come as a result of a drop in the company’s sales and a provincial decision to no longer share some slot machine revenue with the track.

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. has about 3,000 slot machines at Woodbine and they will remain in place until at least 2016 under a new lease agreement signed with the OLG earlier this year.

Woodbine says it has signed transitional agreements with the province and the OLG, but says income from those deals can’t make up the loss of the share of slot machine revenue it was receiving.


Woodbine slashes workforce
(Toronto Star, Alex Consiglio, Feb 13 2013)

Woodbine Entertainment Group has announced more than 100 layoffs following a recent secret agreement with the province.

Nick Eaves, CEO of the Woodbine group, said Wednesday he’s struggled through the last few days at work, handing out pink slips.

“We’ve had to do quite a bit of that,” said Eaves, adding it’s been a “very difficult” time at Woodbine as longtime employees lost their jobs.

“It hasn’t been easy. It’s never easy to part with people who gave so much.”

Eaves said the layoffs, about 25 per cent of salaried positions, were necessary after coming to terms on a confidential two-year deal for transitional funding — aimed at softening the blow from the loss of the lucrative slots-at-racetracks program.

The layoffs include top-level executives such as Bruce Murray, vice-president of standardbred racing, and Andrew Macdonald, vice-president of strategic initiatives.

Glenn Crouter, vice-president of communications for 15 years, retired and accepted a part-time, two-year contract in place of his full-time gig. Front-line hourly workers have also been fired.

Sue Leslie, president of the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association, said the loss of 109 jobs at Woodbine “is no big surprise.”

“We’ve been saying this for months,” said Leslie. “They’ve completely destroyed our industry. This is going to happen everywhere.”

[coalminecanary]

Originally Posted by CaptainKirk

From the report,

Thank you.

[SteelTown]

Looks like there will be a deal reached for tomorrow's vote. If there's no bid for Flamborough than the a downtown option will be accepted.

So essentially they'll yea to an OLG RFP process and review once closed.

[SteelTown]

A draft of the compromise motion, obtained by The Spectator Wednesday afternoon, states if potential operators “demonstrate that Flamboro Downs is not a viable site, then only then will the city of Hamilton be willing to explore other sites of interest.”

The compromise motion has the support of the majority of councillors.

http://bit.ly/XMDYxX

[SteelTown]

Farr will make an announcement at 12:45. Apparently there's a deal that Rock Hammer agrees with.

[SteelTown]

@SamCraggsCBC: Farr says Global Spectrum/Live Nation (new Copps/HP operators) don't want a competing downtown casino #HamOnt http://t.co/TU4R3pEo

[thistleclub]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

@SamCraggsCBC: Farr says Global Spectrum/Live Nation (new Copps/HP operators) don't want a competing downtown casino #HamOnt http://t.co/TU4R3pEo

They want their own casino downtown.

Multinational corporation FTW!

[thistleclub]

Breaking: Downtown casino imperils HECFI deal
(Hamilton Spectator, Emma Reilly, Feb 14 2013)

The entertainment giant about to take control of Copps Coliseum and Hamilton Place has made a bombshell eleventh-hour entrance into the heated casino debate.

Globeal Spectrum says a downtown casino would "fundamentally kill" the market for entertainment in the core and directly compete with their business.

Downtown councillor Jason Farr held a press conference at City Hall Thursday afternoon -- only minutes before council is set to begin a special casino meeting -- relaying Global Spectrum's position.

Farr said Global Spectrum was never informed that a casino could be on the horizon. If Hamilton does approve a downtown casino, both Global Spectrum and partner Live Nation would seek "contractual relief for the subsidy reduction we guaranteed."

"I feel it gravely important that the public, particularly those who, in the last few days have expressed their support of a downtown Hamilton casino/entertainment complex, understand this position from the City of Hamilton's new council-appointed operators of our existing Copps Coliseum and Hamilton Place entertainment facilities," Farr said.

Last night, councillors approved the final agreement between Global Spectrum and the Carmen's Group, the local company that will take over operations at the Convention Centre.

The city is hoping that private management of the facility will enable them to reduce or end the millions of dollars in subsidies they’ve paid out to HECFI over the past decade.

Peter and PJ Mercanti, of Carmen's Group, have come forward with a $200 million proposal for a Hard Rock cafe casino and entertainment complex in the core.

[SteelTown]

I suppose Tivoli is a threat now.

[SteelTown]

Well they can submit a bid too than.