Toronto Wants Casino Hosting Fee Clarification
April is the month that city councilors in Toronto will vote on whether or not to give the green light to a proposed Ontario Lottery and Gambling casino plan.
However, OLG has told Toronto that it may not be able to give the precise amount that the city stands to make in hosting fees if it agrees to the casino.
After a round table talk with city hall, the chair of OLG, Paul Godfrey said: "We're still in discussions with them, and hopefully we'll get to that figure. Negotiations are a two way street. There are things that we can do, but it depends upon the other side."
$30m or $168m?
The amount that the OLG stands to make in hosting a casino in its midst varies greatly, depending on who you ask.
Toronto City manager, Joe Pennachetti said that the number could be as little as $30 million or as much as $168 million.
Interestingly, it was a city commissioned consultant's report which put the high number at $168 million. Since then, however, the OLG has toned down the numbers and has now said that the city will be paid anything from $50 million to $100 million.
The $168 million sum does not appear in the city's consultation materials.
At least one city councilor is unhappy with the vagueness of the number. Shelley Carroll said that she would not vote on the issue "without at least some degree of a base hosting fee."
"I'm going to need to know the amount of money because if it's a paltry sum, we can say no," she said. "If it's a substantial sum, that would give me pause."
Public Debates on Casino Underway
In the months leading up to the vote on the casino, public consultation sessions will take place, sponsored by the city. Residents of the casino will be asked whether or not they want to see a casino constructed and where their ideal location would be.
The first public consultation took place at the beginning of January, and was practically "hijacked" by anti-gambling city councilors.
At least five open-house sessions will be held throughout January, in a bid to seek input from Toronto residents on the issues at hand, including the Toronto casino hosting fee.
The City Manager's office will report the findings of the public consultation sessions to the mayor's office in March.
