casino

Wednesday September 30, 2020

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday September 30, 2020

It’s time to consider shutting down casinos, theatres and malls, leading health expert says

As COVID-19 cases continue to pile up, a leading health expert says the Ontario government should consider shutting down casinos, movie theatres and shopping malls. Industry defenders, meanwhile, say closures would be unnecessary and unfair.

July 17, 2020

“Closing them completely should be a last resort. But I think we need to consider everything right now. How surgical can we afford to be?” said Dr. Abdu Sharkawy, an infectious disease specialist with the University Health Network.

Tuesday, Ontario had 554 new COVID-19 cases, down from a record-setting 700 the day before. But Sharkawy warns we haven’t come close to the peak of the second wave.

“I have no doubt that we’ll be seeing a thousand cases per day within the next two to three weeks,” said Sharkawy, who was surprised to see some Ontario casinos reopen on Monday for the first time since March. Casinos had been allowed to open since the province hit Stage 3 in mid-July, but casino operators had been negotiating unsuccessfully with the province to boost a 50-customer cap.

June 17, 2020

Those casinos are all managed by Great Canadian Gaming Co., which runs 11 casinos in Ontario, including at Woodbine and Mohawk.

Shutting casinos down wouldn’t be fair to the industry’s 17,000 workers in Ontario, said Paul Burns, president and CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association, the casino industry’s national trade association.

A spokesperson for the provincial ministry of health said the government is still monitoring the COVID situation across Ontario, and could implement further restrictions.

“The government, in consultation with public health experts, continues to review trends from a range of criteria on an ongoing basis to determine if public health measures need to be adjusted or tightened,” said Anna Miller. 

Allowing just 50 customers into a casino that’s designed for thousands isn’t a money-maker, said Burns. Not that it’s being done for charitable purposes, he admitted.

“They wanted to demonstrate to public health officials that they could open and operate in a safe manner. It’s not economically viable at 50 people,” said Burns. Eventually, Burns said the casino industry would like to see more gamblers coming through the doors. (The Hamilton Spectator) 

 

 

Saturday July 14, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday July 14, 2017

Councillors support fining trespassers at Albion Falls

City councillors want to start fining people who venture beyond new barriers at Albion Falls.

“At present I think because we’re not proactively enforcing the bylaw, people are not taking it seriously,” he told the meeting.

The enforcement blitz is expected to begin after “No Trespassing” signs are put up on newly installed top-of-gorge fencing.

Some of the fencing has already gone up, and the remainder is expected to be installed by the end of this weekend, weather permitting, said parks manager Kara Bunn.

The chain-link fencing, which is expected to cost Ward 6 Coun. Tom Jackson about $75,000 from his area-rating cash, is one of the new safety measures being implemented since a Toronto photographer lost his footing and plunged to his death at Albion Falls last month.

The city is also installing new “pictorial” signs that use symbols to ensure all visitors understand the risks of walking to the brink of the 20-metre-high gorge as well as ones with maps that show the parking lots, viewing platforms and authorized Red Hill Valley and Bruce Trail side trails.

Thursday’s motion directs Bunn to report back to the committee at the end of the summer season, updating councillors on how many tickets were handed out.

Bunn said she supports enforcement after the “No Trespassing” signs have gone up but that she will have to speak to the city’s bylaw department about exactly what it will look like. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) 

 

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Thursday, February 14, 2013By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday, February 14, 2013

Revised casino motion leaves door open

Sam Merulla says he has struck a last-minute deal with his fellow city councillors that identifies Flamborough as the only site for a casino, but still gives Hamilton wiggle room to pursue other locations.
Merulla initially planned to introduce a motion, naming Flamboro Downs as the only possible location for a gaming facility, at Thursday afternoon’s special casino meeting.

However, his updated motion leaves the door open for other locations if Flamboro proves to be problematic.

A draft of the compromise motion, obtained by The Spectator Wednesday afternoon, states if potential operators “demonstrate that Flamboro Downs is not a viable site, then (and) only then will the city of Hamilton be willing to explore other sites of interest.”

The compromise motion has the support of the majority of councillors.

“I think in the context of division looking for unanimity on such a divisive issue, this is the best we can do that will satisfy both sides,” said Councillor Terry Whitehead, adding Merulla’s motion wouldn’t have passed without the amendment. “Everyone’s agreed.”

But Councillor Brian McHattie says he’s not sure if he can support it.

“I much preferred just the straightforward motion that he had just to identify Flamboro, period,” McHattie said. “It’s not where I wanted to be and where a lot of folks wanted to be — with no consideration of the downtown now or even in the future.” (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Thursday, February 7, 2013By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday, February 7, 2013

Councillors hear pitch from RockHammer

In the face of a $200-million proposal for a flashy downtown casino, several councillors are keeping their sights set squarely on a gaming facility in Flamborough.

PJ Mercanti, McMaster University professor Nick Bontis, and Hess Village business owner Dean Collett brought their proposal for a Hard Rock casino and entertainment complex to Hamilton City Hall Wednesday. Although it’s rumoured there are several parties interested in bidding on a Hamilton casino, Mercanti’s company, RockHammer Inc, is the first to officially make a pitch to council.

Despite garnering praise for laying their cards on the table, RockHammer’s proposal prompted mixed reactions from council.

Several councillors’ questions focused on whether the Hard Rock proposal could be tailored to Flamborough instead of downtown. And despite warnings that RockHammer would likely have to scale back plans for a 280-room hotel and entertainment complex if it were located in Flamborough, another councillor — Bernie Morelli — joined several of his colleagues in stating his opposition to any casino development in the city core.

So far, that means six councillors — Morelli, Brian McHattie, Jason Farr, Sam Merulla, Rob Pasuta and Judi Partridge — are firmly opposed to a downtown casino. Although some councillors have implied their support for a downtown casino, no councillor has explicitly backed that idea. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

Friday, January 18, 2013

Friday, January 18, 2013By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday January 18, 2013

Hard Rock to be partner in Mercanti casino

The company behind the popular Hard Rock Cafe is partnering with the Mercanti family to develop a casino in Hamilton’s downtown.

The Hamilton Spectator has learned Orlando-based Hard Rock International will be part of the well-known family’s project to be formally unveiled Feb. 6 to city councillors.

While well-known for its rock and roll café establishments, the company is also in the hotel and casino business. It announced Jan. 13 a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino redevelopment project on the site of the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Mass.

It operates casinos in Biloxi, Mississippi; Hollywood, Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Macau, China; Tamp, Florida; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; and Singapore.

P.J. Mercanti, the face of the casino project, could not be reached for comment Wednesday night. A spokesperson for Hard Rock could also not be reached.

Patriarch Peter Mercanti declined comment when approached by a Spectator reporter at a casino town hall meeting in Waterdown Wednesday night.

The Mercanti family operates the Carmen’s Banquet Centre and hotel on the east Mountain. They are set to takeover operation of the Hamilton Convention Centre this spring.

YourHamiltonBiz.com reported Wednesday the project calls for a 700,000-square-foot, $250 million complex. It said the casino would have up to 1,200 slot machines and table games and could generate up to $200 million in revenue each year. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)