TORONTO – A new poll has found that a majority of residents are keen on the idea of building a casino complex in the city.
An Ipsos-Reid survey, conducted for Global News, found that 52 per cent of Torontonians favour a casino.
Most respondents said it will bring jobs, tourism and revenue to the city.
Around 42 per cent of those polled oppose the idea — out of fear and concern that gaming will trigger a wave of crime and gambling addiction.
On Tuesday, MGM Resorts International president, Jim Murren, told the Economic Club of Canada at a Toronto luncheon, that his group would build an integrated casino complex on the CNE grounds.
However, Councillor Mike Layton said a casino would hurt all of the restaurants on King, Queen, Bloor and College streets.
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Wouldn’t it make more sense to revitalized the airport strip? Seems you have the hotels already lined up in place, add some casinos in them and there you have a mini Vegas. You have easy access to hwys, the downtown core and the airport. Why would you want to congest the downtown core?
and who paid for this “poll”??????????
Is building casino’s the only way to create jobs, bring tourists and increase revenue!! If so let’s build one in every major town all over the world!! Why have our politicians not looked for other ways to create meaningful jobs? And attract tourists?
Who said it was the only way? A casino will bring in revenue and nobody can argue against that. All politicians realize, especially those who love to give to the special interests groups that a casino will be a great revenue source. There is no appetite from politicians to keep raising your taxes to pay for all the expenses we have.
Bad Idea. Gambling addiction is linked to a range of serious personal and social harms such as depression and suicide, bankruptcy, family breakup, domestic abuse, assault, fraud, theft, and even homelessness. It can bring Revenue to the city for the expense of Ruined Life!?
I think its great idea. It will bring lots of revenue, jobs, tourists and most importantly something to hold heads up that we do have a world class Casino. I don’t know its even a question whether to allow it or not?. Don’t they think about city? about well-being of citizens who could benefits from creation of jobs. Construction companies will be at work, there will be massive hirings and tons of money into city. What else do we want. If Mike Layton, thinks of it bad for city, doesn’t he know that Ajax Downs, Woodbine, Georgia Downs, Blueheran (port perry) Rama, are all within 50-80km radius from GTA? They are not considered casinos?
He needs to give his head a shake and take it out of his butt. Who selected these councillors.
A casino vegas franchise will not turn Toronto into Vegas. A multi year deal for the circus does not mean that you will keep going for years. When was the last time that you went to any of the other casinos? Regular gamblers simply go to the closest one. Non gamblers do not bother going at all.
The existing casinos will lose business, existing hotels and restaurants will be hurt. And, the concert industry will be undercut until it dies, then be replaced with the same casino acts that play the casino circuit in Ontario now.
Generally, a casino is a bad idea. However, MGM’s proposal is a great idea. It stands to make a great entertainment destination, and revitalize Cirque du Soleil, which is in danger of becoming a fledgling Canadian Cultural Institution.
Remember, people with gambling problems can find a poker game anywhere in the city, or on their phone for that matter.
It’s not a matter of left wing or right wing ideology (@ willie)…. it’s a matter of common sense. As long as the casino complex doesn’t aid in turning the city into more of a vapid cultural hole than it already is, it can’t be that bad.
Casino is a great idea. More jobs, tourism, more revenue.
All those with the argument “oh it promotes addiction, people will be addicted” – we’re all adults and we’re all responsible for making out own choices. You’re not forced to go to casino as you’re not forced to buy coffee every morning. You’re own choice – you’re own responsibility for the consequences.
The only problem i can see – a hell of a more traffic on gardner and other respective highways, Cluttered lakeshore.
Prices will most likely skyrocket in the CNE district. Will Torontonians recieve the same priveleges as residents of Las Vegas? Discounted prices in the entertainment district if you’re a citizen? I don’t wanna pay 20% more or whatever it’s gonna be for the sub. I’m not a tourist.
A casino is a great idea.
Unless you want to stay old and boring.
Gambling is a weakness that is exploited by the rich to impoverish the poor.
It is shameful to think that the revenue gained by a casino will somehow offset the long term social cost of having a gaming house in the heart of our great city.
It is sad, Gambling is for fools.
Bring on the lefties, and disapprove the casino. Casino bring alot of revenue to the city of Toronto.
Restaurants will truely benefit from this. Layton better do more research before openning his mouth. More tourists will come to explore this great city, thus more revenue.