TORONTO, Ont. – The CEO and Chairman of MGM Resorts International presented his vision for a new multifaceted casino complex in Toronto, Tuesday, just as public consultations on the subject begin to wrap up.
Jim Murren spoke to the Economic Club of Canada over lunch at the Hilton on Richmond Street, proposing a ‘destination resort’ development at Exhibition Place.
“We offer far more than just gaming. In fact, more than 60 per cent of our company-wide revenues come from non-gaming sources,” he said.”A world-class multidimensional entertainment centre with dramatic architecture, that will appeal to Torontonians and tourists alike.”
“We would build an urban destination resort, not a limited function, stand-alone box casino. We have no interest in that,” he added. “This, we believe, to be a more sustainable model that’s not vulnerable to gaming expansion in neighbouring markets.”
Murren said the actual casino would only account for about 10 per cent of the total complex. The other 90 per cent would be made up of fine restaurants overseen by celebrity chef Mark McEwan, shops, convention facilities, shopping and various types of entertainment, with exclusive contracts for certain entertainment companies, such as Cirque Du Soleil.
He said he is excited “to include the Cirque Du Soleil experience as a centrepiece of the excitement of a Toronto-integrated resort.”
He predicts the complex would bring one-million tourists and $1-billion into Toronto – $1-million of that in non-gaming activities. In addition, it would employ thousands of people, earning $60,000 per year to start.
The city manager is set to report to council in March on the public’s feedback on a possible casino within Toronto’s borders.
Public consultations as well as a survey on the subject the City of Toronto’s website will be available until Friday. Council is expected to vote on the matter in April.
In fall of 2012, Caesars Entertainment Group expressed interest in setting up a casino at a revamped Metro Convention Centre, even unveiling artist drawings of the proposal.
Mayor Rob Ford says he is in favour of a casino, preferring it to be located in the Port Lands or at Exhibition Place.
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I’m very excited about a casino project in Toronto. I’ve been waiting years for this to happen. I’ve had no interest in going up to Rama but when this facility is built in Toronto, and it will be, I’ll be there enjoying the entertainment events regularly. I’d like to see the Convention Centre and surrounding property picked as the site because it needs to be in the core area with easy access to transit and overflow to other businesses. It will be a very high class facility and I don’t see the gambling issue as becoming a problem at all.
drugs, crime, protestution, addiction… get off the couch and visit niagara falls or orillia which has casinos and none of these. we are not vegas, we are not american, our culture is different and so are our casinos. even though i am not a gambler i agree that this would be a great addition to our world class city.
It’s way over due for Toronto to have a casino. We are the only major city in this country to still not have a casino, it’s laughable. People think of Toronto as lame and uptight, I think we need to embrace this and move into the future. It will attract more tourist and help make Toronto a better tourist destination. I still have no clue why we didn’t get one years ago when the rest of the country did.
Why should Toronto give up an opportunity to better itself? Understandably gambling is looked down upon but no matter what it is part of our society. If Toronto doesn’t take this opportunity another city will and that is a shame.
Have a big corporation such as MGM come into our city is honour. Not only will they bring jobs in construction and direct casino jobs, there are thousands of suppliers in our city that will benefit…I’m one of them.
They will help push the subject of our horrible transportation issue to the forefront and hopefully chip in some cash to fix it for us.
I can drive 30 minutes and be in a casino but I choose not to. Having one 20 minutes away isn’t anymore tempting. Get your heads out of your a**!
@ShaneC, couldn’t have said it better myself. @Ken, you should consider perfecting your grammar before you post because I don’t even know what you’re trying to say. @Gary, have you seen what even the “bottom of the barrel” jobs at other casino’s pay? Full time at around $19 to start plus very generous tips from winners, plus they outright committed to $60k+ starting wages if you didn’t read that all. @Al, exhibition place isn’t exactly on the water park, you’re thinking of the Ontario Place property. Why not take the opportunity to revamp the exhibition place area? Only issue is the CNE and Honda Indy would need a new home. I think the investment is definitely worth looking in to, could be a great thing for Toronto
Casinos don’t have windows and use artificial light so that gamblers aren’t distracted by petty things like time or the outside world. Why does it make any kind of sense to give them our precious waterfront property?
@ ShaneC
The only jobs this will create will be part time McJobs. Do we really need more of these? That will do nothing for the economy.
Much needed jobs and money stay with the casino. They would probably not look around and see the city. All those in favour should are dreaming that gambling is good for you.
I think this would be such a great thing for Toronto. Our town is boring for tourists (IMO).
Im not sure where people get this wacky idea that the whole town is going to erupt in crime and bloodshed because there are slot machines inside one of our buildings. Shake your heads!
This will create alot of much needed jobs for the community.