About 60 people joined Regional Chair Alan Caslin, Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati, Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates and Unifor 199 President Greg Brady at a recent town hall meeting to express opposition to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s modernization plans for Niagara Falls’ two casinos. Caslin told several unionized and non-union workers from Casino Niagara and Fallsview Casino Resort, “I will not lay down like the province wants me to. Fourteen hundred jobs is a big number.” That is the number of jobs that could be lost if the OLG’s current plans continue. “It’s not fair for the government to come down to our community and do what they want with the jobs in our community,” Caslin said.
He said the modernization plan flips the previously agreed-to business model and makes generating revenue for the province the number-one priority instead of placing jobs and economic development first. Gates agreed, stating, “This has become about making money for the provincial government,” he said. “It should always be about jobs.” He said stopping the modernization plans is needed “to make sure this is done right. It’s going to affect things for the next 20 to 25 years,” he said.
Gates noted when Casino Niagara opened in 1996, more than 80 per cent of its business came from south of the U.S. border. But since casinos opened in Niagara Falls and Buffalo, New York, American players make up 6-8 percent at both Casino Niagara and Fallsview. He pointed out Woodbine Raceway plans to add table games and a casino could established in eastern Toronto; together that could result in a 20-30 percent revenue decrease, plus job loss. “They’re taking our casino jobs and giving them to Toronto,” Gates said.
Diodati told the crowd to take their concerns to the top and write Premier Kathleen Wynne. “At the end of the day, she’s making the final decision. She’s a human being. She’ll listen. You’re going to get to the premier. She’s not a gaming person. She needs to hear from real people. Tell her your stories,” he said.
Diodati noted the figure of 1,400 lost jobs comes from a third-party report by HLT Advisory, a firm that the OLG itself has used. The report also stated the job loss would result in a payroll decline of $45-$60 million and revenue losses of $5-$10 million for suppliers.
Brady said Unifor, which represents 200 security workers at the two casinos, and is “in direct opposition” to the government plans for modernization. “It really affects workers in all of Niagara Region. The prospect of losing jobs today will affect those seeking jobs tomorrow. We can’t be silent when these decisions are being made,” he said.
The OLG has said procuring a service provider for the Niagara Gaming Bundle and enter into a new operating agreement could take up to three years. The province’s current contract with Falls Management Company, which operates the two casinos on behalf of the OLG, will expire June 10, 2019 and will not be renewed.
