A controversial proposal to expand gaming at Woodbine Racetrack would result in “more jobs, more non-tax revenue for the city and more opportunities to improve Toronto as a whole,” according to Ward 2 Coun. Rob Ford.
The former mayor made the comment in a statement released early Wednesday morning.
The statement came one day after the release of a staff report urging executive committee to move forward on allowing table games at the Rexdale facility. That report also recommended that the OLG be instructed to select a service provider to develop a plan for Woodbine that includes non-gaming uses as well.
“I have been saying for years that it is time for Toronto to step up and expand Woodbine Casino, creating a world class destination for tourism, conferences, and trade shows,” Ford said. “An expansion at Woodbine would mean thousands of jobs, both in construction and operations.”
According to the staff report, the addition of 2,000 electronic gaming machines and 300 table games at Woodbine could bring in an additional $12.5 million to $19.5 million in annual revenue on top of the $15 million a year that the city already receives.
In his statement, Ford said some of that money could be used to help fund much needed repairs to aging community housing buildings while the rest could be put towards a dedicated fund for each ward that could be drawn from to help pay “for service and asset improvements.”
Ford also used his statement to dismiss a recent Board of Health report that urged council to maintain its opposition to expanded gaming due to the potential social costs.
“Toronto has already been home to one of the world's most profitable and largest casino slots operations for over 15 years and there has been zero negative impact on the people of Rexdale or the City of Toronto,” Ford said. “I will continue to push for an expanded Casino that means more jobs, more non-tax revenue for our City, and more opportunities to improve Toronto as a whole.”
Tory open to expanded gaming
In 2013, council voted against expanding gaming at Woodbine and building a casino downtown but in March Coun. Vincent Crisanti moved a motion to revisit the Woodbine issue.
Discussing the idea with reporters on Tuesday, Mayor John Tory said he is open to expanded gaming at the Rexdale facility so long as it is part of a bigger expansion.
“I have said all the way along that I support us taking a second look at casino gambling at Woodbine provided it is part of a much larger vision, that we’re not doing it just for sake of allowing a casino out there where there are already slot machines and horse racing,” Tory said. “It’s all about jobs for me. It’s all about jobs and economic development, not gambling.”
The city’s executive committee will consider the staff report on expanded gaming at Woodbine at its June 30 meeting.
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