Gambling

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) 

 

Saturday January 18, 2014

Saturday January 18, 2014Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday January 18, 2014

Delta Bingo hall to call its last numbers downtown Sunday

Delta Bingo in downtown Hamilton is closing its doors for good Sunday night after the last game is played.

There are messages announcing the closure on its website and at the location.

Councillor Jason Farr, who represents the ward where Delta Bingo has operated for years, says the city was told by its owner, Bee Eye & Gee Oh, that Delta will close and the company will concentrate on converting its St. Catharines and Fort Erie halls to electronic, or e-Bingo.

About 30 charities that fundraised through bingo events at Delta are affected.

“It means charities will have to be creative and find another way to raise that $10,000,” said Farr.

Delta Bingo has been operating in the old Kresge department store at 45 King St. E. on property leased from a numbered Ontario company. Land registry documents list developer Ralph Frisina as president. He could not be reached for comment.

Farr said there are no redevelopment plans for the site that he’s aware of.
Chuck Lemenchick, who identified himself as a company director, confirmed Bee Eye & Gee Oh is focusing on its bingo halls outside of Hamilton.

Delta’s demise doesn’t come as a surprise to local charities that used it for years, because the amounts of money raised have dwindled.

Neighbour 2 Neighbour, which started bingos at Delta in July and was making $1,000 a month, is “more than disappointed,” said executive director Denise Arkell.

“We were really counting on that as a constant source of income to support our food bank.”

Stephen Near, of the Hamilton Arts Council, said bingo revenue for the not-for-profit council has dropped 83 per cent from $26,000 five years ago. (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)