Changes in Ontario’s gambling environment over the last few weeks are raising questions in Ottawa. The city is the only community to approve the OLG proposed casino, but that support is wavering in light of the changes. When Ottawa approved the casino, the Ontario government was operating on the path set out by former Premier…
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The Canadian Senate, embroiled in numerous controversies, remains determined to let the single game sportsbetting bill, publicly known as Bill C-290, die on the table when the Parliamentary session ends for the summer. But pro-sportsbetting reformists, including municipal politicians, chambers of commerce, and even former OPP officers are putting increased pressure on senators to stop…
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Despite the recent resignation of the OLG Board, the organization remains committed to its gaming modernization strategy. The casino proposal in the heart of downtown Toronto was officially rejected by city council earlier this week in an overwhelming 40-4 vote. Nevertheless, casino proposals remain on the betting table within surrounding GTA communities. The city…
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Tim Leiweke is the incoming President and CEO of Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), and will officially take over the role at the beginning of June. However, Leiweke wasted no time planting his flag on the organization after dismissing Bryan Colangelo as GM of the Toronto Raptors yesterday. Leiweke is instituting a rebranding strategy…
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No more bets on the Toronto casino – the votes are now in. Toronto city council concluded a special debate today with a vote on whether to approve a casino within the OLG’s C1 Gaming Zone, the downtown Toronto location, and C2, the region north of the core including the Woodbine Racetrack. The votes were…
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PokerStars lost its bet on the Atlantic Club casino in New Jersey. Judge Raymond Batten ruled that the Atlantic City casino is free to accept purchase bids from other companies in its fight to avoid bankruptcy and foreclosure. The ruling is a significant setback for PokerStars, which hoped to use the Atlantic Club as a…
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The new OLG casino revenue sharing agreement announced last week was overshadowed by the firing of Paul Godfrey as Chairman of Ontario’s gaming body. However, the revenue agreement resulted in outright rejections in Toronto, while other communities are asking for answers to more questions, such as Ottawa. Under the old agreement, casino host communities benefitted…
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Paul Godfrey was let go from his position as OLG Chairman on May 16, which led to the resignation of the entire OLG Board of Governors. The organization was in the middle of a massive modernization and gambling expansion process, but is now without leaders or direction to complete the transition. Godfrey gave a short…
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The city of Toronto went through a tough week, and could experience an equally tumultuous time next week. Allegations that Toronto Mayor Rob Ford was caught on video smoking crack from a pipe drowned out the mayor’s earlier decision to cancel a special council meeting on the OLG casino, scheduled for May 21. However, that…
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The OLG gaming modernization strategy appeared to collapse under its own weight yesterday. OLG Chairman Paul Godfrey was let go from his position by the Ontario government only hours after Toronto Mayor Rob Ford announced the city’s casino debate is “dead.” Rob Ford held an impromptu press conference late afternoon, at which he presented himself…
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