Expanding gambling at Woodbine could bring in $14M: staff report
Posted June 23, 2015 1:22 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A staff report concludes expanding gambling at Woodbine Racetrack could generate an extra $14 million a year in revenue for the city of Toronto.
The debate over the controversial issue will take place at next week’s executive committee.
Right now, Woodbine has about 3,000 slot machines. Expansion could see the number of slots jump to 5,000 with up to 300 live dealer tables.
City staff are recommending approval of the proposal.
The executive committee agreed to reopen the discussion last month after the proposal was originally voted down by council in 2013.
Mayor John Tory said he is open to the idea of expanding Woodbine Racetrack as long as it means more jobs and economic development in the area.
“I believe that you do look at expanded gaming at Woodbine as a catalyst,” he told reporters last month, adding he believes the issue of gambling addictions should be treated separately.
“I’m deeply concerned about addictions of all kinds … I think if we want to address the issue of people and their issues with gambling, we should go ahead and do that … separate and apart from what is already going on at Woodbine.”
