OLG closes slots at three racetracks
Posted March 14, 2012 10:04 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. is permanently shutting down slot machine operations at Fort Erie, Windsor and Sarnia race tracks.
The Crown corporation said it regrets that the closures will affect its employees at those locations.
The closures come in the wake of a sweeping OLG plan to expand gambling in the province to help pay down Ontario’s $16-billion deficit.
Part of the plan was to close “underperforming” gaming facilities in favour of opening new ones closer to potential customers, including Toronto, and expand slots beyond racetracks.
It also axed a revenue-sharing agreement with racetracks that gives them a cut of the slot profits, which the horse racing industry has warned will put thousands of people out of work.
Meanwhile, there are reports a casino could be coming to the Toronto area sooner, rather than later.
Reports say a temporary site could be in place until a permanent one can be built.
According to the Toronto Star, four sites in Toronto are said to be considered as potential spots for the temporary casino: Woodbine Racetrack, CNE, the Port Lands and Ontario Place.
