Even though voter turnout was less than 50 percent, a majority of voters in Kingston, Ontario—67percent—recently voted against allowing the Thousand Island Casino to move to their city. Finance Minister Charles Sousa said, “The government will not impose a location of a gaming site on a municipality, so we will respect Kingston’s desire not to do so.” Sousa noted the government’s policy has long been to allow municipalities to determine if they want a casino. He said the government would not force a casino on a community that did not want one.
Tony Bitoni, spokesman for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, said, “OLG has made it clear since we announced modernization in March 2012 that we will only locate a gaming facility in a willing host municipality. We respect municipal choice and will only go where we are welcomed.” Bitoni said 40 other municipalities in the province’s gaming zones and 10 not in gaming zones have told the OLG they want a casino, and 10 other. He added 24 gaming sites across Ontario are hosted by 25 willing communities (Gananoque and the TLTI share a site).
MPP Steve Clark said Sousa’s assurances mean Thousand Islands can move forward with plans to expand at its existing location in Gananoque, including rezoning the property so new owners can build up to 15 stories plus add hotels, retail and a convention center. Bidding is open through December for private companies that want to take over operation of the Thousand Islands casino and other gaming in Eastern Ontario.
