OLG Addresses Windsor Mayor's Concerns
Eddie Francis, the mayor of Windsor, Ontario, met with the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp this week to discuss several gambling related issues.
Mayor Francis was keen to air some of his concerns about the future of Windsor's casino industry, and also to discuss the controversial host-fee formula that has been making headlines ahead of plans to move forward with a new Toronto casino.
The meeting between the mayor and CEO Rod Phillips was described as "good and meaningful" by Francis.
"We've always had a good relationship with the OLG," said the mayor. "They've treated us like partners."
Toronto Casino Hosting Fees a Red Flag
What prompted Francis to ask for a meeting with top OLG officials was the issue of the Toronto casino and the hosting fee formula.
Rod Phillips has admitted that the OLG was ready to offer Toronto a fatter hosting fee for allowing the casino to be constructed within its perimeters - something which other municipalities with casinos have trouble accepting.
"The issue of Toronto and the funding formula, to myself and others in different municipalities, was a red flag," said France. "What can accurately be inferred is they heard and understood our concerns. They know what our position is. I'm somewhat confident we can move forward and work some things out."
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne has nixed the idea of a special deal for Toronto and has told the OLG that it will need to find a formula that will see all municipalities paid hosting fees in an equal way.
The OLG is planning to roll out a new funding formula in the coming weeks. CEO Phillips said that "the principal behind it is one of fairness."
"We want to make sure we use the same formula across the province," he said. "I agree it's the best way to go."
Future of Windsor Casino Discussed
Also discussed by the OLG and Mayor Eddie Francis was the future of the Windsor Casino.
OLG's Rod Phillips said that Francis was "always interested in making sure we keep our eye on making the Windsor facility a success."
The CEO was told that Caesar's Windsor has undergone modernization and is well ahead of the curve. The casino has survived the darkness of the 2008 recession and the US-Canada border issues. Despite hard economic times, the casino has managed to pay a $125 million payroll and support 3,000 jobs.
Phillips added that the mayor's interest is always about preserving jobs and getting investment in Windsor.
"I came away from our conversation confident we'll be successful here in Windsor for quite some time," said Phillips after the OLG met the Windsor mayor.
