An anticipated announcement by Premier Kathleen Wynne’s Liberal government this week is expected to finally clear the way for a casino in Toronto.

“The plan is for Great Canadian Gaming to take over the Woodbine property and the plan is for them to team with (Brookfield Developments) to develop a world-class casino project there with slots and all the usual gaming tables to go with hotel and entertainment,” said a source close to the talks.

Nothing is written in stone but the casino brand being discussed for the project is the Hard Rock Cafe casino group.

Malaysia’s Genting and America’s Caesars casino development companies are said to be bidding on this multi-billion-dollar deal.

“Word is (Genting’s) bid was actually higher than that of British Columbia’s Great Canadian Gaming,” said a source.

But people close to the deal say Premier Kathleen Wynne and her Liberal government feel more comfortable with a made-in-Canada transaction.

They already have worked out privatization deals with Great Canadian Gaming in the past which now owns and operates a casino in the Thousand Islands just off Hwy. 401 in Gananoque and a slot machine entertainment centre in the Kawarthas.

“This is a perfect fit,” said a source.

The deal would could also see both the Great Blue Heron Casino near Port Perry and another operation in Ajax be expanded.
 
I thought Toronto voted against a Casino.

How is this happening?

Or I guess it's far enough from downtown for anyone of importance to care?

Edit: never mind, council flip-flopped on the issue.
 
they approved it at Woodbine IIRC, just not the downtown locations.

Yes. That's what happened. But originally they denied it City-wide.

Not sure what I think about this though. Seems we are really over-saturating the market with casinos. Are these really necessary in what is essentially a dying industry?
 
I'm not a fan, but are casinos "a dying industry", or is the market for gambling products which is just way over-saturated?

42
 
I'm not a fan, but are casinos "a dying industry", or is the market for gambling products which is just way over-saturated?

42
I think it's both really.

I've read the younger generation is not that into it.

As the 'younger generation,' I just don't think they're put in convenient spots where millennials live and travel. In the GTA/Golden Horseshoe, they're too forgettable, out of the way, and take too much time investment.

If you're out and about in Brantford or Niagara Falls for something else, sure, why not stop into the casino? But as exciting as a casino environment may be, it's not worth it enough to plan it as the central reason for a weekend excursion. Other casinos are off the highway, only accessible by car. And horse racing? BORING.

A casino at Woodbine may have some more success if it is properly connected to public transit IMO. It wouldn't be hard to make a half-day trip out of it, making it a smaller (and perhaps worthwhile) time investment.
 
Hmm?, Brookfield Properties owning 49%

Great Canadian Gaming-Brookfield partnership chosen to run Toronto-area casinos

TORONTO — A full-fledged casino is likely in the cards for Toronto after two Canadian companies won a bid to run three Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. facilities in the province. Under the deal announced Tuesday, Great Canadian Gaming Corp.

Under the deal announced Tuesday, Great Canadian Gaming Corp. (TSX:GC) and Brookfield Business Partners LP (TSX:BBU.UN) will acquire OLG Slots at Woodbine, OLG Slots at Ajax Downs and the Great Blue Heron Casino located in the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

The two companies would also have the exclusive right to operate the facilities for a minimum of 22 years.
More...............https://www.sootoday.com/national-b...hip-chosen-to-run-toronto-area-casinos-691453


 
Imo young people would go to a Casino at Woodbine if it was a destination for all kinds of fun and such.
 

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