Wow, this would put Toronto on the map!
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20120417/mgm-toronto-casino-interest-120417/
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20120417/mgm-toronto-casino-interest-120417/
MGM Grand Toronto???
- Thread starter Leafz89
- Start date
I'm really not a fan of the thought of a Casino here but the possibilities for the Tourism and the employment that could come from this is really interesting.
I always view casinos as an indicator that a city or area is economically depressed.
Think about where casinos are currently located (without even getting into the discussion about the morality of casinos)
1. Windsor
2. Niagara Falls
3. Rama
4. Brantford
5. Out along the 401 near Brockville
None of these places are exactly thriving communities. When you see a casino pop up, you think desperation. No-one can think of anything better that they can market for a town than a casino.
Toronto is not suffering. Economically, Toronto is doing just fine, though a huge majority of Ontario is suffering.
Build it somewhere else - Hamilton comes to mind. They need it more than Toronto does.
The thing about these guys who want to build casinos is that they only want to build in the best places. Like guys who build condos. They always talk about re-generating neighbourhoods and how it will be good for the neighbourhood when in actual fact, the neighbourhood is already just fine. They just want in on the action. They will build their condo in a prime neighbourhood in order to sell it to buyers. You don't see condo developers clamouring to build in shitty areas that could really use the re-generation. You see them wanting to build in the prime areas.
Casinos are the same. They want to build in Toronto because Toronto has it all and they want a part of the pie.
If they want to build a casino in Toronto - let them build it at Sheppard and Kennedy provided that they (the casino) agree to pay 50% of the cost to extend the fucking Sheppard subway. Then and only then would I be for them building in Toronto. Let's test out just how community minded they really are.
Think about where casinos are currently located (without even getting into the discussion about the morality of casinos)
1. Windsor
2. Niagara Falls
3. Rama
4. Brantford
5. Out along the 401 near Brockville
None of these places are exactly thriving communities. When you see a casino pop up, you think desperation. No-one can think of anything better that they can market for a town than a casino.
Toronto is not suffering. Economically, Toronto is doing just fine, though a huge majority of Ontario is suffering.
Build it somewhere else - Hamilton comes to mind. They need it more than Toronto does.
The thing about these guys who want to build casinos is that they only want to build in the best places. Like guys who build condos. They always talk about re-generating neighbourhoods and how it will be good for the neighbourhood when in actual fact, the neighbourhood is already just fine. They just want in on the action. They will build their condo in a prime neighbourhood in order to sell it to buyers. You don't see condo developers clamouring to build in shitty areas that could really use the re-generation. You see them wanting to build in the prime areas.
Casinos are the same. They want to build in Toronto because Toronto has it all and they want a part of the pie.
If they want to build a casino in Toronto - let them build it at Sheppard and Kennedy provided that they (the casino) agree to pay 50% of the cost to extend the fucking Sheppard subway. Then and only then would I be for them building in Toronto. Let's test out just how community minded they really are.
the thing is - (and forgive me - I've never been to Vegas - I have no interest in going there).
If we build a Casino similar to those you listed, I don't see it being a huge tourism draw. Having a resort like the MGM idea seems to be more than a Casino and therefore could potentially make Toronto a more attractive destination for travellers.
I have seen a few people deal with gambling addiction - it's ugly and I don't like the idea of making it more convenient for those who are vulnerable in our city.... but if a casino is on the way - I like the idea of going big or going home. I'd rather see tourists' dollars get pumped into our economy than see something built that relies more on locals'
I'm not a fan of casinos either way - I just like the idea of balancing the bad with the positive a little bit if we can't avoid a Casino.
If we build a Casino similar to those you listed, I don't see it being a huge tourism draw. Having a resort like the MGM idea seems to be more than a Casino and therefore could potentially make Toronto a more attractive destination for travellers.
I have seen a few people deal with gambling addiction - it's ugly and I don't like the idea of making it more convenient for those who are vulnerable in our city.... but if a casino is on the way - I like the idea of going big or going home. I'd rather see tourists' dollars get pumped into our economy than see something built that relies more on locals'
I'm not a fan of casinos either way - I just like the idea of balancing the bad with the positive a little bit if we can't avoid a Casino.
I have people with gambling addiction coming to me for money on a daily basis, I tell them the same thing "YOU CAN"T HANDLE THE INTEREST RATE".
Politicians, with their gold plated pensions, always look to further their agenda on the backs of the vulnerable. If they build a casino here, Toronto will become as gouache as Las Vegas.
Politicians, with their gold plated pensions, always look to further their agenda on the backs of the vulnerable. If they build a casino here, Toronto will become as gouache as Las Vegas.
hmmmm you want a place to waste more of your $$$ after going to the rub n tugs there?
One casino isn't going to provide jobs for 10,000 single mothers as Mammoliti said; it's not going to bring in enough money to change Toronto's fortune around, it's not going to be huge tourist attraction for many beyond the GTA.
People should be more realistic in their expectations, and the Conservative politicians touting this as the new saviour of the city should calm down.
People should be more realistic in their expectations, and the Conservative politicians touting this as the new saviour of the city should calm down.
There's a whole other type of casino then these:
- Monte Carlo in Monaco
- Macau
I've been to Vegas and the high end casino's are very nice. Top of the line restaurants with Celebrity Chef's, great shows, Huge Sporting events, fantastic shopping, convention areas and so for.
The one big problem I have with them is that they are all designed to keep you in the hotel and not let you out. For that reason, I'm not a fan of a Toronto Casino. But if someone wanted to build an Architectural marvel 7-Star Hotel and Casino on the Downtown Toronto Skyline, I can come to like the idea. Dubai is on the map due to their spending and fantastic new buildings. I'd like to get that type of hype and excitement in Toronto to help spark the tourism. The Hotel Casino would have to get visitors to come to Toronto then once here it needs to encourage them to get out and see the city.
To me, Vegas is not something worth emulating. Toronto far far outclasses and out distances Vegas. Vegas is just a pimped up ride. If you look at the Vegas economy - it's a "mill-town". It's Tembec in Smooth Rock falls, only its gambling in Vegas. Same thing. With the downturn in the US economy, nowhere has been hit harder than Vegas. Real estate prices cut in half, huge unemployment, social unrest - you name it. They put all their eggs in one basket. I suppose one could argue that "well, in Toronto's case you would have all that Toronto currently has and that much more". Well, I dunno. I'd rather they built a plant in Scarborough that builds Toyota Camrys than to see some idiotic casino. I'd be way way more excited about that. I want our governments to be out attracting manufacturing and innovation and research and development, backing universities, bio-tech, hell, I'd prefer them even to be planning an "Ontario North" like Quebec is planning "Quebec North" - opening up the north of the province to mineral exploration and development.
But a casino?
Casinos are for those bereft of ideas.
Toronto already has some of the best restaurants in North America (though they are not buffets), a thriving theatre and live show scene, tons of convention space and more across the spectrum shopping than any other city in North America than perhaps NYC..
Completely agree.
I'm not against casinos, but building it up as some economic engine that's going to drive the economy is dishonest. The few hundred jobs provided are low-paying, and only a few people in management could consider it as a career.
A casino at Ontario Place isn't a visionary idea, it's a shoulder shrugging backward-thinking surrender.
lol.
Great movie too.
MGM Grand coming to TO is probably the best stimulus for SP/MPA/SC based business/livelyhood.
My take on Casinos in Toronto:
If it's going to help our economy, I'm all for it too. I don't see a problem with the addiction part. If someone is addicted to it, they will find legs and pieces to solve their desire. It only cost like a $5 to $10 dollar bus trip bk and forth from Toronto to Niagara Falls. Not to mention, they have so many cheap fare buses to both Rama and Fallsview. I believe Safeway Tours goes to Fallsview, and Taipan Tours go to Rama. Those are the only 2 that I know, but there are prob alot more.
They should have a Ship Casino near Harbourfront. That would be cool to sail around Lake Ontario.
If it's going to help our economy, I'm all for it too. I don't see a problem with the addiction part. If someone is addicted to it, they will find legs and pieces to solve their desire. It only cost like a $5 to $10 dollar bus trip bk and forth from Toronto to Niagara Falls. Not to mention, they have so many cheap fare buses to both Rama and Fallsview. I believe Safeway Tours goes to Fallsview, and Taipan Tours go to Rama. Those are the only 2 that I know, but there are prob alot more.
They should have a Ship Casino near Harbourfront. That would be cool to sail around Lake Ontario.
This isn't directed at you specifically Jenn.
This Liberal government isn't giving you (us) the full story. They are already slashing jobs throughout the province by terminating some of their Slots contracts with racetracks. Any new casino will be at the expense of jobs and families. The net result of the Liberal plan is less jobs, more cash grab.
