GTA Casino Opposed by Rama First Nation
The new gambling expansion plan of the province of Ontario has hit its first major roadblock. The new proposed land casino in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is being vehemently opposed by the Rama First Nation.
At present only Casino Rama services the gambling needs of the 905 area code population. Chief Sharon Stinson Henry stated that a new casino in the GTA will eat into the business of Casino Rama because patrons would then not have to go to Orillia to gamble. A downturn in this revenue stream would adversely affect the employees of Casino Rama, a significant number of who are from the native population of northern Ontario.
Chief Henry also complained that her community was not taken into confidence by the provincial authorities when formulating the new gambling plan to tackle $16 billion deficit. She criticised the government's reliance on gambling revenues for bridging the deficit gap.
Henry pointed out that Casino Rama has been greatly profitable since its launch in 1996. The casino enjoys more than 3 million visits per year, including a significant number from the GTA, and offers employment to about 2,500 people, including more than 400 from First Nations.
NDP MPP Taras Natyshak also criticized the proposal calling it "a slap in the face". Natyshak deplored the lack of direct communication with the First Nations, stating that the consultation is carried out through press releases.
Said Natyshak, "We're talking about good jobs here, revenue that comes into those communities at an important time for our province. They are certainly willing to gamble with communities' economic health and future on an unproven and hypothetical return on investment."
OLG Responds to New Casino in GTA
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), which will spearhead the new gambling expansion in the province, had its side of the story to tell. The plan is to have 29 casinos in Ontario, which will enrich the province by $1.3 billion when they are all operational.
The land casino in the GTA would take between four and six years to build. Casino Rama is operated by Penn National Gaming in partnership with the OLG and Rama First Nation.
Tony Bitonti, spokesperson for the OLG said that under the prevailing agreement Rama First Nation receives 1.9% of the annual gross revenue of Casino Rama, which would be in excess of $5.5 million.
Bitonti said that any discussion on how the new proposals would affect existing facilities is premature. He said that the OLG would be looking at the best interests of the province and is not keen on opening new facilities at the cost of present ones.
