Go down gambling, say it when you're running low
Go down gambling, you may never have to go
That's an excerpt from a Blood Sweat and Tears song entitled "Go Down Gamblin". And likely a fitting number for the sentiment expressed in Yves Dubeau's piece below:
Will Hamilton city council be hungry enough for revenues from gambling that they will contemplate applying to the OLG for a casino in the Hamilton area? The OLG, currently forming a strategy to revitalized itself, will be closing some casinos and opening a new one in the GTA.
Will Hamilton city council be hungry enough for revenues from gambling that they will contemplate applying to the OLG for a casino in the Hamilton area? The OLG, currently forming a strategy to revitalized itself, will be closing some casinos and opening a new one in the GTA.
At first glance the temptation of generating additional taxes through gambling casinos could be lucrative. Casinos' business models relies on addicted gamblers versus social gamblers to succeed corporately. Without the problem gamblers, they financially fail.
Casinos, for most of the people, offer hope versus entertainment for the social gamblers and the government becomes party to the havoc that problem gamblers disseminate on their families. On a piece on CBC radio on Sunday morning it was said for every problem gambler, it costs family members upwards of $10,000 in bad debts. It was also said that gambling is a form of taxation for the people who would not normally pay income tax due to low income. Will the temptation of council to apply for a casino license reflect the will of Hamilton taxpayers?
By Yves Dubeau
Thanks Yves for your submission to The Hamiltonian
Do you think Hamilton should signal an interest in getting a Casino, or are you of the mind that Casinos only invite social problems? (article initially run March 2012 and comments added in March, remain on the thread. Please feel free to add new comments))
By Yves Dubeau
Thanks Yves for your submission to The Hamiltonian
Do you think Hamilton should signal an interest in getting a Casino, or are you of the mind that Casinos only invite social problems? (article initially run March 2012 and comments added in March, remain on the thread. Please feel free to add new comments))
I think Casino's just bring a whole host of new problems to a city. The only good they are good for is to bring in new money for government reckless spending. They leave a trail of morale destruction. But who cares. its just about cash.
ReplyDeleteWhat is dangerous abnout this idea is that Hamilton is so desperate, it would go for it. look at the mess with Walmarts
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine Hamilton is on the OLG's radar here. Markham, Richmond Hill or easily accessed areas in Toronto where well-heeled gamers hail from are far more likely candidates. Follow the money. It doesn't visit downtown Hamilton.
ReplyDeleteYves report is very good - problem gambling does indeed cause serious problems for the families of the addicted - in addition, considerable problems are inflicted on the community generally as well. It is estimated that about 5% of those who gamble regularly - whether casinos, lottery tickets or whatever - have a strong potential for becoming addicted to gambling. When you think about how many people go to casinos, for example, that's a lot of potential problems, for families and communities.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Don't sweat it. I don't think we will get a Casino based on the fact that we are known to not be able to handle big projects. Plus, Casinos are the sacred cash cows of governments who can't balance budgets and offload expenses on the not too bright. In other words, it's like crack for government spending.
DeleteMr. Sarc
When a Casino is a success, it is in a location that draws on Tourism as part of the experience. This has huge benefits to the economy because they do not just come to play, they stay~ they visit and explore the destination (Niagra Falls, Las Vegas) IMHO this is a win /win for the community.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, unless our City really does market our amazing features (Dundurn Castle, RBG, our waterfalls)~ the 'type' of gambler we are going to host are those already desperate/addicted and trying to make a quick buck. They are often already on some type of social assistance and will be walking in the doors and losing their grocery money....bad for our economy.
I don't think Hamilton has the Staff to market our attractions needed to sustain the Tourist Gambler. It would be irresponsible to entertain a facility here until we have what it takes to attract the responsible Gambler. They are the ones who will generate the revenue that supports the hotels, restaurants and destinations that would make it beneficial...
In a nut shell~ One scenario will HURT our economy by irresponsible, desperate citizens losing more. Scenario two ~ will BOOST our economy by enticing the Weekender looking to put money into the pockets of our local businesses (Hotels, restaurants, attractions)
This needs a well thought out plan or drop the idea now...
Have an awesome day everyone!
CASINOS Offer a much better chance for
ReplyDeleteWINNING MONEY than Lotteries and Race
Tracks! PERIOD!
If Rules for admittance to a Casino are strict
enough to keeping out Addicted gamblers, etc.
by usage of Bar Coded Photo I.D. Cards, there
should be minimal problems!
A Casino built at Confederation Park would
make a Fantastic Location for a MYRIAD of
reasons, ie: EASY Access off the QEW for
Tourists, Lot's of Parking, Local Modern Motel
Accomodations, Gorgeous Views of Lake
Ontario and Female Staff, Cool breezes in Summer, A Park to Walk and "Chill Out" in,
Huge Revenues for Hamilton, etc.
POTENTIAL NAMES FOR IT:
"CONFEDERATION CASINO",
"LAKEPORT CASINO",
"LAKEVIEW CASINO",
"LAKELAND CASINO",
"SKYWAY CASINO",
"STEEL CITY CASINO",
"STEEL TOWN CASINO",
"PARK AND WIN CASINO",
"SPIN AND WIN CASINO",
"HAMILTON BEACH CASINO",
"CENTENNIAL CASINO",
"QUEENWAY CASINO",
"BAYVIEW CASINO",
"PINELAND CASINO",
"SANDY BEACH CASINO",
"WAVELAND CASINO",
"TRY YER LUCK CASINO".
"Imagine the Freedom!" Ya Baby! :-)
Yes, I think Hamilton should signal an interest in getting a Casino. Look at what it did for Niagara Falls. A once cheesy Clifton Hill stip, to now one of the best places to stay with family or visit for a night or weekend. The Casino has drawn in tons of visitors, which equals revenues. New hotels, restaurants and attractions have reaped the benefits of the casino. Niagara Falls in longer just a summer day trip. Location is important and planning is even more important before just plopping downtown somewhere. The core would be the last place I would want to see it go. Along the waterfront would be ideal. I am no way a gambler but I do enjoy the entertainment of gambling as a means of entertainment as opposed to seeing a movie or going bowling - BORING... A casino would provide Hamiltonians with more options for enterianment.
ReplyDeleteLes
I just spend a night on the Waterfront near the casino in Windsor. Hamilton should take a look at the great work they did there. A casino near the water is a perfect location if it happens.I am not saying it is a great idea, but the money that has been invested in the walking paths and the grounds were perfect. I assume the spin off from the Casino helped accomplish this somewhat.
ReplyDeleteI think this is more signs that Hamilton is disjointed. A grocery store in Jackson Square?--please. Now a casino? Do we know who we are and what we want to be? Because it looks like we're stumbling around. Yep- park your cars, leave your children in them, drain your family savings as you play the slots in The Best Place to Raise a_______? Gambler? Child?
ReplyDeleteIf you are going to use the argument that people get addicted to gambling then we should also close down all bars and restaurants that serve alcohol. Alcohol causes many more problems than gambling ever will. Possible addiction is not a very solid argument when it comes to denying this city a downtown casino. I look forward to having one downtown, it will save me a trip out of town to spend my entertainment dollars.
ReplyDeleteA bartender or manager is obliged to cut somebody off when they're visibly intoxicated. A croupier or casino manager slips that legal/moral/ethical obligation through the practice of self-reporting problem gambling: "self-exclusion". Absent someone flagging themselves, the casino will indulge them unto they run out of funds (and court documents allege that even then, the casinos can't help themselves):
Delete"OLG spokesperson Don Pister said the corporation has so far settled out of court with 11 individuals who asked to be barred from Ontario casinos because of a gambling addiction but alleged they were still allowed in.
Pister said there are another 11 similar civil actions still before the courts. One of them is a $3.5-billion proposed class-action lawsuit filed in Toronto in June.
The common theme of these suits is that the OLG, which manages government-owned casinos and racetrack slot machines, failed to protect compulsive gamblers from the harm caused by their addictions."
http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/134392--gambler-seeks-big-cash-in-suit-against-casinos
In a move to close these liabilities, the OLG rolled out facial recognition software in spring 2011:
"Beginning May, each person who enters an Ontario casino will have their face digitally scanned by a camera; that image will be run through a database of more than 15,000 people with gambling problems who have voluntarily put themselves on a banned list."
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/920299--facial-recognition-a-system-problem-gamblers-can-t-beat
And if we network that facial recognition software with law enforcement databases, the system will pay out some handsome dividends. Or deliver us into Oceania. Maybe a bit of both. Win-win?
ReplyDeleteAckowledging that gambling can harm people at risk, then going ahead and building it regardless, seems a bit tainted and inverted.
Alchohol has been and still is entrenched-deeply into our everyday lives. It became Klegal before we really knew what the heck was going on with it.
Partcuarily, when abused.
Why must we turn to potentially harmful venues for making monies, when by example to other communities, Cities,, we could raise the bar and build an establishment or reconstruct an existing venue - where everyone wins!!
* legal
ReplyDelete* Particuarily
Everyone needs to drop the morality play. Gambling is legal in Ontario. Hamilton currently has a casino located at Flamborough Downs.
ReplyDeleteThe question on any referundum should simply ask if citizens are willing to lose the $4+ million they currently receive from the slots at Flamborough.
Hamilton *had* a slots facility ("casino" is generous) at Flamboro Downs. That's apparently all over now, according to OMAFRA.
ReplyDeletehttp://news.ontario.ca/omafra/en/2012/08/statement-from-the-minister-of-agriculture-food-and-rural-affairs-on-the-horse-racing-industry.html
With a $4.4 million revenue stream at stake, all bets are off as to what Council will put on the table to get their fix. The safer wager would be on a certain individual's imminent retirement.
The government will continue to offer revenue supports to horse-racing facilities. That report makes a point of saying that "A middle ground should be found that preserves the core of the industry while reducing but not terminating public support." It will be interesting to see what the net benefits of the OLG's new strategy are in terms of employment and revenue. The horse-racing industry and the Ministry of Finance agree that there are 60,000 jobs at stake.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.standardbredbreeders.com/2012/04/ministry-of-finances-own-figures-verify-60000-jobs-in-horse-racing-wheres-minister-duncan-getting-his-facts/
Will the forthcoming casino expansions match those employment numbers? They're looking at 30 markets across the province, so presumably they'll need 2,000 jobs attached to each expansion in order for the exercise to break even. Matching the $1.1 billion in annual revenue should be easier, since the province gets to rig the profit-sharing formula.
http://www.olg.ca/assets/documents/media/strategic_business_review2012.pdf
ReplyDeleteFor reference, the OLG's planning document notes that the modernization plan will, "by 2017-18, provide an additional $1.3 billion in annual Net Profit to the Province and create
about 2,300 net new industry jobs—and an estimated 4,000 jobs in hotels, restaurants, entertainment centres and retail."
It's not all slots-related, mind you. The OLG also plans to
"• Modernize and shift the day-to-day operation of the lottery network to private sector operators; invest in new player technology; allow private sector to design lottery games; expand distribution of lottery through new channels: about $180 million increase in Net Profit to the Province annually.
• Deliver a full range of games on the internet through an online site accessible by computer and other internet-connected devices including lottery ticket sales, interactive casino-style games (against the house) and peer-to-peer games (like poker): about $100 million increase in Net Profit to the Province annually."
The online gaming seems like a crap shoot. There are geographic reason why people buy Ontario lottery tickets or go to Ontario casinos, but there's no compelling reason to ever visit an OLG gaming website. That could be a white elephant.
As part of this plan, the OLG is also looking to revitalize bingo halls, which will surely come as a breath of fresh air for Hamiltonians worried about the health of Delta Bingo.
http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/news/5-25-12/bingo-halls-getting-slot-machines.html
Nice spin anon.
ReplyDeleteYou can crunch the numbers anyway you all want this-bottom line this facility is subsidized by the taxpayers.. This is a story about taking from the poor to feed the rich.
Instead of researching stats which exclusively supports your pitch - maybe you should do an objective "needs analysis" to discern whether this City truly needs a gambling casino downtown.
I think if you take into account other priorities/needs that exist in Hamilton, you will find your strategic pro-spin report, fails to include what the benefits would be to all members of Hamilton.
We need business, tourism to attract monies. I get that.
Building this however, to me is the cart pulling the horse, with little or no concern for people who would be at risk.