Toronto approves Woodbine casino expansion

After an all-day debate at city hall last week that aired the potential benefits and pitfalls of the plan, the council voted 25-19 in favour of supporting the expansion.

Woodbine Mayor John Tory, a strong proponent of the project, said that while the vote means job creation and business development in the area, he doesn’t dismiss concerns over problem gambling. “My support for taking this proposition to the next stages does, however, arise out of a profound determination that I have to see more jobs become available,” said Tory.

Proponents claimed the expanded casino would be a huge boost to the area “that has been starved for jobs and opportunity for a long, long time,” remarked Tory before the vote. Former mayor Rob Ford added that the area needs “stable, good-paying union jobs,” and whilst acknowledging social concerns, said, “you have to weigh the hundreds of good paying jobs compared to a few of the social problems.”

Jim Lawson, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment Group, said the council’s decision is a big boost to the horse racing industry across the province and is expected to be a catalyst for expansion and development. “This is a real trigger for us moving ahead with additional hospitality and entertainment uses on the Woodbine lands.”

Under the approved plan, which was rejected two years ago, Woodbine is allowed to expand its slot machines from 2,700 to 5,000, as well as add more table games. Meeting this capacity will see the casino house more slots and tables than casinos in Niagara Falls combined. With more than 50pc of casino patrons at Niagara facilities coming from Toronto, approval of the plan could become a severe threat for Fallsview Casino and Casino Niagara.

While the neighbouring Niagara area may suffer, Toronto will set about exploring ways to invest additional gaming revenue into a community benefits fund. This fund would serve to tackle poverty in low-income neighbourhoods across the city and be one of the first examples of a private company in Ontario being part of a community benefits scheme.