Caesars confirms interest to build casino in Toronto

2012-06-05

Reading time 1:39 min

(Canada).- Executive VP with Caesars Entertainment, Jan Jones, said the gaming company "most definitely" wants to build a casino in Toronto. "We believe we could present a project that would benefit the city, that would grow tourism and that would be a part of the business community, not come in and try to replace (businesses)," Jones said.

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation has said that companies have until midsummer to voice their interest in the project.

Hail Caesars -another high profile Las Vegas casino is knocking on Toronto City Hall’s door. Caesars representatives will be visiting the city next week to get the lay of the land. “We believe we could present a project that would benefit the city, that would grow tourism and that would be a part of the business community, not come in and try to replace (businesses),” Jones said last week.

The city’s lobbyist registry shows Caesars Entertainment -which operates 52 casinos on five continents - has registered four lobbyists, including former councillor Paul Sutherland, to promote the company’s interest in “economic development” and Exhibition Place and “waterfront revitalization”.

Earlier this month, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation officials announced interested firms will have until mid-summer to express their interest in a GTA casino. City bureaucrats are now studying the pros and cons of putting a casino in Toronto.

Caesars is keeping an open mind about what could be built. “I’ve heard there is some talk of a waterfront resort and there are others who would like to look at other locations,” Jones said. “I’d just sort of like to come in and meet the community, understand what they would really like to see as a resort destination partner.” She predicted any investment by Caesars in Toronto would be well over us$ 1 billion.

Caesars is the latest company to hire lobbyists to help make the case for a Toronto casino with city council. Lobbyists representing MGM Resorts International have already met with Mayor Rob Ford and several councillors.

Councillor Doug Ford wasn’t surprised to hear Caesars had lobbyists registered with the city. “You say we’ve struck gold and all of a sudden you’ll have every gold miner in North America come,” Ford said.

Casino critic Councillor Adam Vaughan stressed he believes the OLG wants to put “slot machines in every neighbourhood in the city.” “It’s not just about a big destination casino; it is about turning every bingo parlour, every hotel lobby ... they’re talking about turning Toronto into Atlantic City North,” he said.