Falls Mayor: Woodbine Expansion Bad for Casinos

Sat, Jul 25, 2015

The mayor of Niagara Falls, Canada, fears the city’s share of gaming revenues at Falls properties including Fallsview (l.), could be cut drastically if Ontario proceeds with plans to expand gaming at Woodbine Racetrack.

Toronto expansion could mean layoffs in the Falls

Niagara Falls, Canada Mayor Jim Diodati has reiterated his opposition to expanded gaming at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, fearing it would subtract from revenues at Casino Niagara and Fallsview Casino Resort. Toronto politicians just approved the addition of 300 gaming tables and an additional 2,000 slot machines at Woodbine.

Earlier this month, Ontario Lottery and Gaming paid Niagara Falls just over $7 million for hosting the two casinos, a payment that covers the first quarter. If gaming grows at Woodbine, Diodati says, Niagara Falls will get a smaller slice of the “gaming pie.”

“We are monitoring this very closely,” he told the Niagara Falls Review. “If all they’re going to do is cut the pie into smaller pieces, then it will be a win-lose and we want it to be a win-win situation.” Diodati fears “massive layoffs” at Niagara casinos, which now employ approximately 4,500 people. Niagara Casinos is Niagara’s largest employer, the Review reported.

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