[W. K. Lis]

With the big casinos from Las Vegas coming here looking to set up, one has to ask is why? Is there trouble in Las Vegus?

With all the short sales in real estate, I would say "yes". They are looking for safer locations for investments... like Toronto.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

Well, given the likelihood of Toronto hosting multiple resort-casinos on prime land (zilch), anyone who can get their foot in the door will have exclusive access to the market.

AoD

 

[DTowner]

Trump-ian or Doug-Ford-ian stuff as world crass, not world class.

Awesome. I'm using that, thanks. Lol. Very true. A casino may bring in some tourists (during the summer) but not enough (I don't think) to sacrifice an already developing waterfront neighbourhood that is a result of years of careful research and planning. A casino there would be a rush job and look hellish with a vast parking lot — land that would've gone to neighbourhoods, parks, bike trails, restaurants, skating rinks, beaches... If we are to get a casino, stick in in Etobicoke North where its biggest fan lives. ;o)

 

[AKS]

If we are to get a casino, stick in in Etobicoke North where its biggest fan lives. ;o)

That would be bad. If they're building in Etobicoke, they're only going to build a casino and nothing else because the big players won't put money in it. That's like letting Caesar and their 1 billion project in to build a crap casino that doesn't do anything to the GTA but give grief. We get saddled with all the minuses and no pluses. It's better to have more pluses and some minus than total negative impact.

 

[Jonny5]

With the big casinos from Las Vegas coming here looking to set up, one has to ask is why? Is there trouble in Las Vegus?

With all the short sales in real estate, I would say "yes". They are looking for safer locations for investments... like Toronto.

The big Vegas casinos started diversifying and adding locations all over the world 30 years ago. Plus the Vegas real estate market doesn't impact profits from shows, hotels and gambling from visitors from the rest of the world who make up most of their business.

They are probably looking here because they heard we are finally asking them to.


On another note,

Not having free alcohol is going to be a big disadvantage to attract gambling tourists. For people who have not been, in Vegas or Atlantic City, the cocktail servers walk around the floor and bring everyone free drinks. If you tip them $2 they will be ecstatic and come by every 15 minutes to ask if you want a new one. For two people on a two-day trip, that could save more than $100 in alcohol compared to a casino here where a beer costs $6. More than $200 if you are big drinkers.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

Jonny:

Not having free alcohol is going to be a big disadvantage to attract gambling tourists. For people who have not been, in Vegas or Atlantic City, the cocktail servers walk around the floor and bring everyone free drinks. If you tip them $2 they will be ecstatic and come by every 15 minutes to ask if you want a new one. For two people on a two-day trip, that could save more than $100 in alcohol compared to a casino here where a beer costs $6. More than $200 if you are big drinkers.

Personally I think offering free booze is a bad idea - it just encourages those who are utterly without restraint to go on binges, and all the problems that goes along with that. In any case the liquor laws doesn't allow it here.

AoD

 

[adma]

That would be bad. If they're building in Etobicoke, they're only going to build a casino and nothing else because the big players won't put money in it. That's like letting Caesar and their 1 billion project in to build a crap casino that doesn't do anything to the GTA but give grief. We get saddled with all the minuses and no pluses. It's better to have more pluses and some minus than total negative impact.

Though the location does have airport proximity on its behalf...

 

[AKS]

Though the location does have airport proximity on its behalf...

Do you think all the players will come from out of town so they fly here to gamble and fly out again so we won't have any social impact? That would be ideal but far from reality.

 

[PinkLucy]

Statement issued June 6 from the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports

"In February I established an Advisory Panel led by John Tory and respected community leaders to provide our government with strategic advice as we move forward to full transformation of Ontario Place.

As part of its consultative work, the Advisory Panel considered the question of building a casino on the Ontario Place site. In a letter delivered to me yesterday, Mr. Tory advised that the Advisory Panel recommends against building a casino at Ontario Place.

On behalf of the McGuinty government, I have accepted the Panel's recommendation. When a Request for Qualifications is issued to the international community later this year, we will ask that submissions address parkland, commercial, retail, residential, recreation and entertainment uses for the Ontario Place site -- not a casino.

A new Ontario Place is part of the McGuinty government's plan to grow tourism through investments that will stimulate Ontario's economy, create jobs, and develop exciting new opportunities and experiences."

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

Well, the "dirty work" is probably going to be done by RF et al. - Province and the OLG gets to have what they want without having to really take that much heat for it.

AoD

 

[Automation Gallery]

Well, the "dirty work" is probably going to be done by RF et al. - Province and the OLG gets to have what they want without having to really take that much heat for it.
AoD

I dont think RF gives a hoot about a casino at OP, thats the provinces baby to solve...all along he is for the Portlands and if i was a betting man thats where id put my money.

 

[Torontovibe]

I'm so glad a casino is not going to Ontario Place. Maybe now we can get on with building a great waterfront attraction.

 

[AKS]

I'm so glad a casino is not going to Ontario Place. Maybe now we can get on with building a great waterfront attraction.

It might just end up being a neighbourhood like all the others rather than a waterfront attraction. They mentioned wanting to build condos and office buildings.

 

[Automation Gallery]

They mentioned wanting to build condos and office buildings.

I waterfront for the rich

 

[johnwood]

I think a casino in Toronto would be great for the city and Ontario because all the people playing on Pokerstars.com and other sites would pump the money directly into the province when they play at the casino instead of playing online. Plus a casino would create jobs which would pump even more money into the province's economy. I wouldn't dare playing online when I could easily go down to a casino in Toronto because there are too many hackers, software techs that cheat on poker websites. A casino would be a win-win for everyone.