Woodbine Racetrack warns future at stake if casino built elsewhere
Posted May 14, 2012 8:54 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – Woodbine Racetrack claims its future is in doubt if the City of Toronto doesn’t agree to put a casino on the site, with a spokesperson saying the track may have to close if a casino goes somewhere else.
Toronto’s executive committee and Mayor Rob Ford debated the casino issue Monday, after which they voted to ask staff to have a report on casino possibilities ready in October.
The city gets $15-million a year from the slots at Woodbine, accounting for about two per cent of the total. Seventy-five per cent goes to the province.
“For all intents and purposes, Woodbine is viewed by many as a casino, as proven by our six-million visitors each year,” Woodbine spokesperson Jane Holmes said. “We’re sort of isolated, so it’s not going to be in someone’s backyard.”
Woodbine has 2,300 direct employees and Holmes said the business has contributed $6-million to the community and charities since 2000.
“None of the decisions are firm because we don’t know what the future is, but we do have another racetrack out in Milton,” Holmes added.
Also, the executive committee is considering whether to ban a casino from being built at Ontario Place. Entertainment giant MGM has expressed interest in building a $3-5 billion mega-hotel-casino on Toronto’s waterfront, but not at Ontario Place.
“There are other locations. Exhibition Place might be one, the port lands might be another,” said spokesman Alan Feldman.
Meanwhile, the Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre is finding fault with the idea of any new casino within Toronto’s borders.
“As a destination site, gambling facilities are failing,” the Centre’s Rob Simpson said. “That includes Las Vegas and Atlantic City. They no longer draw tourists. (Casinos are) everywhere.”
Ex-blackjack dealer Jason Applebaum used to be a regular fixture at the casino in Niagara Falls, and is now the face of problem gambling.
“I’m [….] a recovering compulsive gambler, currently unemployed and receiving social assistance. My gambling addiction and being on social assistance are directly related.”
Toronto’s executive committee is also considering whether a referendum about the casino issue should be held during the next election.