OTTAWA – Ottawa plans to ask the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. to create two new gaming zones in the capital, which would allow construction of new casinos in the city.
The motion passed by city council Wednesday is a turn-around from last week when the city’s finance committee voted to single out Rideau Carleton Raceway as the only acceptable location for a casino.
Mayor Jim Watson calls this new motion a “compromise.”
He says it would protect the slots at the Rideau Carleton Raceway and add 21 gaming tables, while allowing people like Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk to bid on a second casino to be built in a different location.
The move sends the casino debate back to the finance committee, which will hold a special meeting on Aug. 26 to deal with the issue.
Coun. Tim Tierney, who moved the new motion, admits the casino process has been a “mess” but says he thinks adding another gaming zone could solve the problem.
(1310 News)
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