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With new chairman, is OLG in line for gaming palace?
When it comes to the construction of a fully fledged, Vegas-style casino, could Toronto finally be dealt in?
Following Friday's announcement of Paul Godfrey's nomination as OLG chairman, there are people not only hoping but getting their chips ready and hedging their bets, too.
If it was only that simple. No jackpot is easy to win.
However, for the first time in a long time, there is not just potential for hope but a confidence that a robust discussion is about to happen.
"This is a game-changer," says one insider commenting on Finance Minister Dwight Duncan's announcement.
"Paul Godfrey is not only the right person for this position, to be honest, he is the only person."
Certainly Ontario Lottery & Gaming is not only in a mess with a lack of leadership, a poor fiscal performance and allegations of corrupt behaviour but is also reeling from bad optics after the insider lottery win scandal.
Godfrey, as the gaming czar who will hire the new management, will change all of that.
His background -- former chairman of Metro Toronto, president and CEO of Sun Media, the Toronto Blue Jays and now the National Post -- shows a history of restructuring operations and bringing in innovative approaches.
But a Progressive Conservative named by a Liberal regime has people asking what this OLG appointment really means.
"I think it means the path will finally be cleared for Toronto to get a casino," Councillor Rob Ford said last night.
If it does, it's a long time coming and completely overdue. Thousands of jobs could be created. While cities like Windsor, Niagara Falls or even Sault Ste. Marie or Gananoque have casinos with a variety of gaming opportunities, Toronto sends its serious gamblers out of town to Casino Rama.
It's startling how the province's major city has been both overlooked and robbed of the economic impact. Perhaps things are about to change.
For example, casinos in border cities are suffering because of the combination of the worldwide recession, strict smoking laws, lack of complimentary alcohol, the struggling U.S. economy and the passport issue. The government is going to need the Toronto market.
Of course it's a nudge, nudge, wink, wink kind of thing because the city does have a gambling centre at Woodbine, which, sources say, brings in as much and sometimes more revenue than any of the casinos.
Currently, with more than 2,000 slot machines on site, according to OLG spokesman Ruri Brum, there's another 1,000 additional planned. It's already getting bigger, so with hundreds of millions of dollars being wagered there, it just makes sense to allow the Woodbine Live expansion idea to move ahead with a full casino to go with its entertainment and retail plans.
"It's a good project and a great location," said Ford, an Etobicoke councillor.
There are other ideas too -- including the long-talked-about casino idea for the CNE grounds. Like at Woodbine, there's plenty of space for development and it's also another good location.
Councillor Brian Ashton makes the point that whatever is done there needs a "complete study" of the future "strategy of gaming in Ontario and what the marketplace is" before any binding decisions are made.
And former Toronto mayor John Sewell said he is against a casino expansion here because "it's an awful way for governments to raise money."
They are right, but since it seems governments do use casinos for fundraising, it only makes sense to make sure the biggest city gets a piece of it -- as well as to make sure all social concerns are addressed.
For the record, Godfrey is not doing any interviews and has not commented on the potential of Toronto one day getting a casino. But as Metro chairman in 1984 on the subject of no licence being granted for the CNE casino, he said the Ontario government is playing "a silly little game" of double standard, since granting other cities licences.
FASCINATING
If confirmed, he will soon represent the Ontario government, so it will be fascinating to watch.
Godfrey in business is known as a great fixer and deal broker, and these skills may come in handy as there may be a need to sort out where a potential casino would be located and who would operate it?
Who knows, perhaps there is room for more than one. Whatever it is, perhaps his most important quest will be to ensure Toronto receives an appropriate cut of any take from a Toronto casino.
Plenty of hands to be played yet in this game, folks.
http://www.torontosun.com/news/columnists/joe_warmington/2009/12/01/11989346-sun.html
When it comes to the construction of a fully fledged, Vegas-style casino, could Toronto finally be dealt in?
Following Friday's announcement of Paul Godfrey's nomination as OLG chairman, there are people not only hoping but getting their chips ready and hedging their bets, too.
If it was only that simple. No jackpot is easy to win.
However, for the first time in a long time, there is not just potential for hope but a confidence that a robust discussion is about to happen.
"This is a game-changer," says one insider commenting on Finance Minister Dwight Duncan's announcement.
"Paul Godfrey is not only the right person for this position, to be honest, he is the only person."
Certainly Ontario Lottery & Gaming is not only in a mess with a lack of leadership, a poor fiscal performance and allegations of corrupt behaviour but is also reeling from bad optics after the insider lottery win scandal.
Godfrey, as the gaming czar who will hire the new management, will change all of that.
His background -- former chairman of Metro Toronto, president and CEO of Sun Media, the Toronto Blue Jays and now the National Post -- shows a history of restructuring operations and bringing in innovative approaches.
But a Progressive Conservative named by a Liberal regime has people asking what this OLG appointment really means.
"I think it means the path will finally be cleared for Toronto to get a casino," Councillor Rob Ford said last night.
If it does, it's a long time coming and completely overdue. Thousands of jobs could be created. While cities like Windsor, Niagara Falls or even Sault Ste. Marie or Gananoque have casinos with a variety of gaming opportunities, Toronto sends its serious gamblers out of town to Casino Rama.
It's startling how the province's major city has been both overlooked and robbed of the economic impact. Perhaps things are about to change.
For example, casinos in border cities are suffering because of the combination of the worldwide recession, strict smoking laws, lack of complimentary alcohol, the struggling U.S. economy and the passport issue. The government is going to need the Toronto market.
Of course it's a nudge, nudge, wink, wink kind of thing because the city does have a gambling centre at Woodbine, which, sources say, brings in as much and sometimes more revenue than any of the casinos.
Currently, with more than 2,000 slot machines on site, according to OLG spokesman Ruri Brum, there's another 1,000 additional planned. It's already getting bigger, so with hundreds of millions of dollars being wagered there, it just makes sense to allow the Woodbine Live expansion idea to move ahead with a full casino to go with its entertainment and retail plans.
"It's a good project and a great location," said Ford, an Etobicoke councillor.
There are other ideas too -- including the long-talked-about casino idea for the CNE grounds. Like at Woodbine, there's plenty of space for development and it's also another good location.
Councillor Brian Ashton makes the point that whatever is done there needs a "complete study" of the future "strategy of gaming in Ontario and what the marketplace is" before any binding decisions are made.
And former Toronto mayor John Sewell said he is against a casino expansion here because "it's an awful way for governments to raise money."
They are right, but since it seems governments do use casinos for fundraising, it only makes sense to make sure the biggest city gets a piece of it -- as well as to make sure all social concerns are addressed.
For the record, Godfrey is not doing any interviews and has not commented on the potential of Toronto one day getting a casino. But as Metro chairman in 1984 on the subject of no licence being granted for the CNE casino, he said the Ontario government is playing "a silly little game" of double standard, since granting other cities licences.
FASCINATING
If confirmed, he will soon represent the Ontario government, so it will be fascinating to watch.
Godfrey in business is known as a great fixer and deal broker, and these skills may come in handy as there may be a need to sort out where a potential casino would be located and who would operate it?
Who knows, perhaps there is room for more than one. Whatever it is, perhaps his most important quest will be to ensure Toronto receives an appropriate cut of any take from a Toronto casino.
Plenty of hands to be played yet in this game, folks.
http://www.torontosun.com/news/columnists/joe_warmington/2009/12/01/11989346-sun.html
