OLG wants to put a casino in Toronto, “largest development” project in Canada

TORONTO – The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. is making another pitch for a casino in downtown Toronto.

Chairman Paul Godfrey says a Toronto gaming facility would be the largest development project anywhere in Canada.

He says the new facility could create 12,000 jobs with a total capital expenditure of more than $2 billion.

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Godfrey says less than 10 per cent of the square footage would be used for table games and slots.

Speaking to the Toronto Board of Trade this morning, Godfrey said the Toronto casino would also include hospitality, entertainment, retail and convention space.

He said concerns about crime are over played and haven’t materialized in other communities with casinos.

Godfrey wants a waterfront or downtown site for the Toronto casino, but said OLG won’t impose a facility on any municipality.

There are other municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area that are equally viable hosts, he said, calling it “a once in a generation opportunity.”