Do you think Toronto needs a Casino?

[Rockheart]

I see there is a big Casino proposal for Downtown Toronto on Front Street.

Do you think it is necessary or needed?

Some of the arguments don't make much sense.
The main thing people say that it will make Toronto a world class city.
I don't think a Casino makes a city.

If you think of Paris or Rio do you think of gambling casinos?
These are world class cities and I do not think of gambling in them.

Now to say that Toronto needs a casino because they don't have one is ok but there is many nearby.
Casinorama etc.

However I argue that gambling makes a world class destination.
Now everywhere has a casino, especially with all the Indian run casinos popping up.

I suppose it would boost the night life and be good for the adult industry to an extent.
Nightlife in Toronto does seem to die earlier at night than other cities it's size.

Calgary, Edmonton, Moose Jaw, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg and many other much smaller cities in Canada have casinos.
What is the big deal?

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle4608189/

[Shyla Wild]

Casinos don't make you world class....Winnipeg has casinos. Vegas and Atlantic City are the only two places I can thing of that the city revolves around gambling.

Toronto is a business city. People live to work. In Montreal people work to live. Toronto has a 2am curfew due to their business environment.

Lastly, who will run this? The government? I am a gambler. I go to Vegas normally twice a year. The Casino of Montreal is run by Lotto Quebec. It is also the WORST paying casino in the World

I see there is a big Casino proposal for Downtown Toronto on Front Street.

Do you think it is necessary or needed?

Some of the arguments don't make much sense.
The main thing people say that it will make Toronto a world class city.
I don't think a Casino makes a city.

If you think of Paris or Rio do you think of gambling casinos?
These are world class cities and I do not think of gambling in them.

Now to say that Toronto needs a casino because they don't have one is ok but there is many nearby.
Casinorama etc.

However I argue that gambling makes a world class destination.
Now everywhere has a casino, especially with all the Indian run casinos popping up.

I suppose it would boost the night life and be good for the adult industry to an extent.
Nightlife in Toronto does seem to die earlier at night than other cities it's size.

Calgary, Edmonton, Moose Jaw, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg and many other much smaller cities in Canada have casinos.
What is the big deal?

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle4608189/

[Rockheart]

Casinos don't make you world class....Winnipeg has casinos. Vegas and Atlantic City are the only two places I can thing of that the city revolves around gambling.

Toronto is a business city. People live to work. In Montreal people work to live. Toronto has a 2am curfew due to their business environment.

Lastly, who will run this? The government? I am a gambler. I go to Vegas normally twice a year. The Casino of Montreal is run by Lotto Quebec. It is also the WORST paying casino in the World

Monte Carlo is also known for gambling.
Plus every Indian reserve are generally known for gambling now.

Most parts of the USA have gambling all over.
In Montana every gas station and convenience store says Casino on the side.
Everyone wants to be another Vegas. Why?
Toronto doesn't have the chops to party 24 hours, as you say.

Vancouver is known for it's late night clubbing but they constantly refuse a casino because it doesn't fit their style.
(Although many have recently claimed the night life in Vancouver has taken a nose dive.)
Plus there is zillions of casinos just over the border in Washington, Muckleshoot anyone?

Thailand which is known for everything naughty does not have legal gambling.
Sure people play cards and other gambling games but there is no establishments.
In fact, gambling doesn't seem popular anywhere in Asia that I have seen.

[toban]

Escorts will suffer as guys blow their "play" money at the casino

There are so many things Toronto needs more than another casino to suck money from the pockets of those who can least afford it.

While city council salivates over the new found tax revenues which will be derived from this proposed casino, the girls in the escort industry are more likely to suffer because too many men will have gambled away their hobby dollars there and then will not be able to afford to gambol in the sac with the needy working girls!

As far as making Toronto "World Class", people should realize that "class" is cultural and is not affected by facilities, structures etc.. so even with a casino Toronto will still be Toronto and mired in the same old gridlock!

[Shyla Wild]

I still don't understand how a casino makes a city world class....in fact I do not ever recall gambling and class going hand in hand.

If Toronto wants to be world class...how about a public transit system that works? In fact, having a bunch of attractions makes you nothing more then a tourrist trap. World class cities have culture, character, and a healthy living environment....something that Toronto is Lacking.

Here is a list of things that should be addressed before a casino....

- Public Transit
- Gang and gun issue
- Lack of trees in the downtown area
- Air pollution
- Looming Housing Market Crash
- Rental Housing conditions bad or worse than most US ghettos
- Lack of affordable rental appartments
- Unrestricted development of erect towers

BTW: I don't know if the CASINO of Montreal affects my business....but I began as a working girl after it was open...

[Rockheart]

I still don't understand how a casino makes a city world class....in fact I do not ever recall gambling and class going hand in hand.

If Toronto wants to be world class...how about a public transit system that works? In fact, having a bunch of attractions makes you nothing more then a tourrist trap. World class cities have culture, character, and a healthy living environment....something that Toronto is Lacking.

Here is a list of things that should be addressed before a casino....

- Public Transit
- Gang and gun issue
- Lack of trees in the downtown area
- Air pollution
- Looming Housing Market Crash
- Rental Housing conditions bad or worse than most US ghettos
- Lack of affordable rental appartments
- Unrestricted development of erect towers

BTW: I don't know if the CASINO of Montreal affects my business....but I began as a working girl after it was open...

Out west here they used to have those Dream House lotteries.

Now they have Dream Condo in Toronto lotteries.
I assume because you can buy a good condo in Toronto for peanuts.

Toronto is also taking out bicycle lanes while all other cities are adding them.
Maybe the shape of the mayor is a clue why.

[sadehoney]

casino

Casino is always a great idea! More jobs. more money. more men.

Toronto as a city is rich in culture and many beautiful people and places to go, Toronto could have a better management team a.k.a. city council.
I have been to NewYork, Amsterdam, London, Nairobi, and many other places, all these places are world class.

The casino is also a great place for girls to meet guys. In Florida the casinos are owned and operated by Native American people.
Trump tower downtown Toronto for example is excellent show of foreign investment that will bring business grow.

[Shyla Wild]

Unfortunately, Toronto is more of a cement block than a city blooming with culture. As for more money...there is no proof of that either. Since taxpayers money will fund this there is no international money coming in and even there was, do you really believe that money would stay in Canada?

Here is your non-moralistic, fiscally conservative reason not to have a casino in Toronto.


The reasons given for doing it are not legitimate. The province seems to have changed its mind on the issue strictly for revenue, as the province has a $16 billion deficit.
First of all, McGuinty and his gang need to learn how to act responsibly with current money before they get any new dollars to play with, and we are a long way from that happening. Governments at all levels are swimming in money. But like drunks and gambling addicts, they spend beyond their means.


There is no indication that a casino would bring in additional revenue anyway.


A recent Globe and Mail report reads ?revenues from casinos have dropped in recent years. In 2010, the OLG reported revenues from its resort casinos fell to $1.3 billion from $1.4 billion in 2009. Revenues from its other casinos, slots and racetracks also dipped slightly to $20.3 billion from $20.7 billion.?


With the government in charge, it is already a losing business. Fears are that all a Toronto casino would do is cannibalize revenue from existing Ontario casinos. Casinos, now that there are so many of them, do not draw tourists anywhere other than Vegas, it seems.


Another, even less legitimate reason some people want a casino is for additional fun and games in the city. Fun and games do not fall under the category of the legitimate function of government. I realize that governments often get in the entertainment business, but they should not. They aren?t any good at it. Their theatres and museums lose money. They blow taxpayer dollars on sports stadiums that many studies show do not increase revenue for a city. At best, all they do is shuffle current local dollars around from pocket to pocket.


If gambling is a legitimate source of fun and games that Toronto needs, then legalize it, license it and let the private sector run it the same way they run bars, restaurants and bowling alleys.


The successful operators will turn a profit at no risk to taxpayers, and the province and city can tax it.

Source: http://www.postcity.com/North-Toront...-first-casino/

[cobbler]

I will do my best to keep a casino from opening here.
Casinos are not the answer to Toronto's penis envy.
Any revenue from the casino will be offset by the costs associated with them.
I for one am getting a little tired of the term: "world class city".
I don't mind living in a somewhat dull yet relatively safe city.
A casino won't address any of the problems we have, it would only exacerbate them.

[Shyla Wild]

Let me show you something....

Montreal's Metro System: it runs ever 5-7 minutes normally and ever 2-3 minutes during rush hour.



This is Montreal's Metro transit system with all future expansion.



This is Montreal's Bus Transit System









Montreal's train system:



Montreal Rental Bixi Bike system (which is being sold worldwide, including to the city of Toronto)



Montreal Bike paths



Explain this to me.....how does a city with a 1/4 of your population 8 million vs 2 million have this kind of organized public transit?

[Rockheart]

Explain this to me.....how does a city with a 1/4 of your population 8 million vs 2 million have this kind of organized public transit?

I can explain it.

In the 70's Montreal was bigger than Toronto.
They were planning for a bright future of being Canada's largest city.

Montreal was planning for the future with transportation and infrastructure.
There was a new airport built for the expected traffic and the Super sonic Concord to Europe.
They had professional baseball and were fresh off the Summer Olympics and expo 67.
Much transportation had to be planned and put in place for both of these huge events.
Thinks were looking good for Montreal.
They were planning to be the city of 8 million today.

Enter the PQ and at the same time dangerous terrorism.
Talk of separation and the scary times led most head offices to move to Toronto along with their staff.
There was a mass exodus of business and people from Montreal to Toronto.
But no concord came, the expos left and the stadium fell apart.
Recently Montreal nearly lost forumla one racing.
So there is alot of infrastructure for fewer people.

Toronto was mainly a manufacturing city and didn't really plan for the expansion well.
The culture of driving has become prevalent in Toronto something like Los Angeles but not that bad.
Toronto is essentially a cluster fuck.

[Shyla Wild]

In that case, I have the solution to all of Toronto's problems. Move back to Montreal. Plus, we already have a casino!

I will run for Mayor of Toronto. My slogan will be, "Screw you guys, I'm going home!"

I can explain it.

In the 70's Montreal was bigger than Toronto.
They were planning for a bright future of being Canada's largest city.

Montreal was planning for the future with transportation and infrastructure.
There was a new airport built for the expected traffic and the Super sonic Concord to Europe.
They had professional baseball and were fresh off the Summer Olympics and expo 67.
Much transportation had to be planned and put in place for both of these huge events.
Thinks were looking good for Montreal.
They were planning to be the city of 8 million today.

Enter the PQ and at the same time dangerous terrorism.
Talk of separation and the scary times led most head offices to move to Toronto along with their staff.
There was a mass exodus of business and people from Montreal to Toronto.
But no concord came, the expos left and the stadium fell apart.
Recently Montreal nearly lost forumla one racing.
So there is alot of infrastructure for fewer people.

Toronto was mainly a manufacturing city and didn't really plan for the expansion well.
The culture of driving has become prevalent in Toronto something like Los Angeles but not that bad.
Toronto is essentially a cluster fuck.

[toban]

A casino will suck money out of Toronto!

Neither you and I will get any significant benefit from this casino but MGM Grand or whoever gets the contract will, and their profits will be taken out of Canada!

Many people seem to think that a casino will provide a multitude of benefits to the community but one important thing most of those same people don't seem to realize is that casinos, and particularly a privately owned casino such as that which is envisioned for Toronto, will take cash money away from the community!

The bulk of the money that common folk drop in the casino is not returned to those customers or to the community. The payout for prizes is a measly 15% of the take.

85 % of every dollar spent goes elswhere other than to the customer! Some of it does go locally to wages and operation but profits will go South and into the vaults of the LasVegas group that is doing their best to get it.

[Rockheart]

In that case, I have the solution to all of Toronto's problems. Move back to Montreal. Plus, we already have a casino!

I will run for Mayor of Toronto. My slogan will be, "Screw you guys, I'm going home!"

I don't think anyone wants to move back unfortunately.
It is a much better place to visit.

The social ills have still not been ironed out, and there is still a hostile attitude towards anglophone businesses.
It is just not acceptable to do business in English there, at least as a primary language.
Everyone is forced to follow ridiculous language policies compared to Toronto and other parts of the country.

Not to mention the Youth are all out banging pots and pans all night, who needs the racket.

At least in Toronto people are just indifferent.
In Montreal people can be just plain mean and ignorant of others right to exist.

[Shyla Wild]

Neither you and I will get any significant benefit from this casino but MGM Grand or whoever gets the contract will, and their profits will be taken out of Canada!

Many people seem to think that a casino will provide a multitude of benefits to the community but one important thing most of those same people don't seem to realize is that casinos, and particularly a privately owned casino such as that which is envisioned for Toronto, will take cash money away from the community!

The bulk of the money that common folk drop in the casino is not returned to those customers or to the community. The payout for prizes is a measly 15% of the take.

85 % of every dollar spent goes elswhere other than to the customer! Some of it does go locally to wages and operation but profits will go South and into the vaults of the LasVegas group that is doing their best to get it.

Exactly!

So....if we all agree, 1- No foreign money, 2- No Government investment....sounds like no casino to me. Unless the mob want in....

Speaking of the MGM....wonder if they ever fed someone to the Lions?