What is this we hear about an upgrade of Woodbine Entertainment Group to a full-fledged casino? The operation deserves it. It was a bad move when Woodbine got caught in the battle between former Mayor Ford and the downtown cyclists. It was almost as though those downtown councillors had never been to Woodbine Race Track. They had no concept of the services Woodbine offers and the excellence of the operations.
First of all Woodbine is Canada’s premier race facility. It hosts the richest horse races on turf or dirt in Canada. Even if you have never punted a $2 bet, the sheer pleasure of watching those beautiful thoroughbreds pounding around the track is something that even a child can understand. And, yes, there is gambling. It supports the purses and the track. There is a reasonable rake.
But to leave the track just with slots to help support its operations today is woefully ignorant. Horses and slots are really not related. And people who bet on horses are people who like a challenge in their gaming. Slots are mindless. You stick money in and hope some comes back. Whoopee.
Since day one of the slots at Woodbine, Ontario race fans have been waiting to welcome table games. We have always felt that betting on the ponies was the closest thing to the game of craps. Maybe that is why we always see craps as such a challenge.
It is table games that are of interest to most race track people and the combination of a full casino, racing, fine dining and entertainment can make Woodbine an outstanding attraction and an even more major employer in an area of the city that is well suited to accommodating the thousands of visitors. Woodbine knows how to do it.
And what right does any councillor who does not know that part of the city have to deny the facility the business to which it is so well suited? A casino is a legal operation in Ontario. It is run under the control of the province. It is not a concern of the municipality other than the taxes it pays and the services it requires. Considering the scope of the Woodbine property and its environment, it poses no problem for the municipality. The casino resort complex at Woodbine Entertainment is to be run by a well funded, well run and respected organization.
The city has been asked for its approval as a courtesy. The city should return the courtesy to the province with a speedy vote and approval of a good business venture and major taxpayer in the interest of the people of Toronto.
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Copyright 2015 © Peter Lowry
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