In a surprising turn of events, Loto-Quebec has announced the abandonment of its plan to establish a mini-casino near the Bell Centre in Montreal. The Canadian crown corporation had initially proposed to rent the now closed 1909 Taverne Moderne restaurant, located adjacent to the home of the Montreal Canadiens, to create a gaming hall featuring 350 slot machines.
However, after facing opposition from Montreal Public Health (MPH), Loto-Quebec has reluctantly withdrawn its proposal.
The decision has left officials disappointed, as they believe it represents a missed opportunity, but they remain committed to finding new ways to meet the demands of players.
The primary reason for the withdrawal of the mini-casino plan was the extensive report produced by MPH. The 42-page report highlighted several concerns related to the location of the proposed gaming hall and its potential impact on vulnerable individuals.
MPH expressed apprehension about the potential negative consequences of the mini-casino, including increased gambling addiction rates and financial distress among susceptible individuals. The report emphasized the need for caution when considering the establishment of gambling facilities in close proximity to places where vulnerable populations may congregate.
“The risk for initiation to gaming is increased with this project,” Dr. Mylène Drouin, the director of MPH, told the Montreal Gazette. “This access is attractive because you’ll have all the promotion and the links to the Montreal Canadiens.”
Loto-Quebec initially responded to the report’s release by expressing dissatisfaction with MPH’s decision to publicize its findings. However, after careful consideration, Loto-Quebec has acknowledged that their proposed mini-casino project cannot proceed in light of the concerns raised by the public health organization.
Jean-François Bergeron, President and CEO of Loto-Quebec, expressed his disappointment with the outcome, describing it as a missed opportunity. He emphasized the importance of revisiting the organization’s land-based model to better address the evolving challenges and needs of the industry. Bergeron also highlighted the significance of providing new options to meet the demands of players instead of simply reducing the supply.
While the failure of the Bell Centre project is disappointing for Loto-Quebec, the organization does not believe its future success solely hinges on this particular endeavor. However, the abandonment of the mini-casino plan does underscore the need for Loto-Quebec to explore alternative strategies to remain competitive in the evolving gambling landscape.
The organization’s future success will rely on adapting to the evolving challenges and needs of the gambling industry while maintaining a responsible and regulated approach.
