OLG Seeking Private Casino Operators
In an aim to increase revenues from gambling in Ontario, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) group announced that it would be dividing the province into 29 different zones for the potential construction of casinos.
As such, the OLG is seeking private casino operators to run these new locations.
According to the province's Finance Minister, Dwight Duncan, his government wants to maximize revenues and serve Ontario's gambling community across the board.
"We have huge underserviced markets, ie. Ottawa, ie. Toronto, not to mention other areas of the province where the modelling shows that people who live in one community are forced to travel 20 or 30 kilometers to access gambling," he said.
Ducan said that it was about "serving customers where they wish to be served."
The finance minster also noted that there were many Ontarians leaving the province in order to gamble, noting that there were close to 50 plains leaving Pearson Airport each week for different gambling destinations.
Canadian Public to be Consulted about Casinos
It was learned this week that a requirement that municipalities hold a referendum in order to introduce casinos in their areas had been replaced with a requirement that local residents needed to be consulted.
This news was met with anger by New Democrats who said that a referendum is a much better barometer.
"The government simply went in secret and put down a regulation they didn't tell anyone about, taking that right away," noted Michal Prue of the NDP. "It's input from the local council, but it's not consultation with the people"
Another called it "a sneaky, back-door approach."
While the OLG has earmarked a potential 29 zones for casino construction, it doesn't mean that all the zones will welcome the idea.
OLG Consulting with Local Municipalities
The OLG said that it would be in close contact with local municipalities and would only work with areas which showed interest in having a gambling facility.
Some areas would be more impacted than others, such as from Rama to Niagara due to the possible construction of a casino in Toronto, but the OLG promised that these casinos "are still going to be very vibrant."
The finance minister did admit, however, that some casinos may be closed or relocated.
Plans are also underway to increase slot games in Ontario from 22,000 to 32,000.
