Decision expected in July
The government of the Canadian province of Toronto is considering adding table games to Woodbine Racetrack in Etobicoke. The track currently has 3,000 slot machines.
According to InsideToronto.com, this debate has already been waged when the idea was rejected by city council in 2013. At that time, lawmakers and the public were engaged in a larger debate about the proposed development of a controversial downtown casino.
“In essence, what we’re doing now is dusting off that information we had two years ago,” Deputy Mayor Vincent Crisanti said at a recent public meeting. “But now we’re focused on Woodbine and Woodbine only. … And this is also about protecting the jobs that are currently there.”
A 29-year Woodbine employee drew cheers from supporters of the expansion when she said, “Let’s get the shovel in the ground.”
“I get laid off in the wintertime, and it’s been happening for all 29 years that I’ve worked there, because the racing season slows down,” said Joanne Brown. “I think we need to let Torontonians know what we have right here in Toronto.”
Former Etobicoke Centre Councillor Peter Leon spoke in favor of the proposal, saying, “I see this development, this opportunity, as something really great for this part of Etobicoke… This development, done properly, done with the community in mind, could make things happen. So I say get started and let’s get the shovels in the ground just as quickly as we can.”
Opponents of the plan also made their opinions known; one woman, who identified herself as a recovering gambling addict, spoke about the “terrible, fatal disease” of problem gambling.
“I get goosebumps when I remember how I was spending 16 to 20 hours a day in casinos?me, a person, who wouldn’t even spend one minute in such a place when I was healthy,” said the woman, who did not disclose her full name. “I destroyed my life, from a decent life to homelessness.”
She criticized any effort to expand gaming in the community, saying it would “rob bread from the throats of innocent children by the money their ill, addicted parents are stealing and taking to casinos.”
The city will continue to weigh the issue and is expected to decide by July.
