Why are Slots closing?

[fmahovalich]

I hear today that Windsor Slots are now closing. This comes on the heels of the story whereby Erie is shutting down too! And sarnia as well

Lots of discussion on lost jobs, etc.

Wondering? Why? Are they losing money? Morals? City councils?

If they are losing money in these small towns maybe Toronto is the right place for a Casino?

 

[Hurricane Hank]

Fort Erie, Sarnia, and Windsor (race track) slots closing at the end of April. Paul Godfrey (OLG) and the Liberal government, are not happy that these border towns are only making $100 million per year. Prior to all the U.S. casinos opening, they were making $800 per year. Your Liberal government has decided to end it's relationship with racetracks, as this was originally a PC initiative.

 

[gww]

I hear today that Windsor Slots are now closing. This comes on the heels of the story whereby Erie is shutting down too! And sarnia as well

Lots of discussion on lost jobs, etc.

Wondering? Why? Are they losing money? Morals? City councils?

If they are losing money in these small towns maybe Toronto is the right place for a Casino?

Ever since Detroit put in 3 casino's right across the river, Windsor has been in decline (maybe earlier). Too much competition and neither one are really tourist places that you'd plan a trip to.

 

[Mr. Lucky]

Well "Fewer Americans are crossing the border to play slot machines at border sites. A decade ago, border casinos returned a net profit of $800 million a year. Today, that profit is less than $100 million " said OLG President and CEO, Rod Phillips. "With OLG's plan to modernize the province's lottery and gaming sector.

Within Windsor, Sarnia & Fort Erie 240 people will be out of work.

I myself have been to the MGM Grand in Detroit and to me it seems okay but nothing that great. (People still smoke in there)

 

[Don Draper]

The dollar at parity is no help either. People from the USA are not crossing the border to come to the Ontario casinos like they used to. So if the people are not coming to you then the casinos have to go to where the people are.

The City of Toronto.

OLG and Queen's Park are banking on the fact that more people will mean more activity and you can also market to the tourist factor in the city.

 

[anon1]

These border towns had a thriving Bingo industry.
The OLG killed them off and subbed in slots, now they are killing the slots.
Government business incompetence as usual.

 

[Aardvark154]

Presumably the rise of table games also has something to do with this - slots have fixed odds always for the house. Table games at least if you are skillful you can push the odds in your favour.

 

[papasmerf]

if I had a business clearing 100 Million per year with only 240 workers, I would consider that profitable.

I guess the Ontario Government sees it as a loss.

 

[userz]

Ever since Detroit put in 3 casino's right across the river, Windsor has been in decline (maybe earlier). Too much competition and neither one are really tourist places that you'd plan a trip to.

Not to mention American casinos don't restrict smoking (a big deal for many of the people who go to casinos) and your choice of complimentary beverage includes booze, unlike in Ontario where the choices are pop or coffee. There's also the whole issue of now needing a passport if you live in the States and want to gamble here.

 

[Dancerfan]

Not to mention American casinos don't restrict smoking (a big deal for many of the people who go to casinos) and your choice of complimentary beverage includes booze, unlike in Ontario where the choices are pop or coffee. There's also the whole issue of now needing a passport if you live in the States and want to gamble here.

Exactly!

 

[yababy]

They are closing geogian downs slots in Innisfil too

 

[fmahovalich]

as my understanding years ago, that the slots were supplementing the race crowd...as the OJC was not doing well. The slots, along with concert venues brought back the lore of racetracks.

I can see the horse business in trouble as well!

 

[dondada]

horse business is...breeders are keeping an eye on this situation for sure...why breed a canadian bred horse to have no where to run...the industry has declining revenues overall...racinos are a good idea but the government isn't sharing anymore...

 

[KBear]

if I had a business clearing 100 Million per year with only 240 workers, I would consider that profitable.

I guess the Ontario Government sees it as a loss.

Don't understand this as well. If the casinos are profitable, then why close them.

Unless the profits are expected to continue declining, and there are other costs involved.

 

[papasmerf]

Don't understand this as well. If the casinos are profitable, then why close them.

Unless the profits are expected to continue declining, and there are other costs involved.

as in any business the company must keep ahead of the trends to make money.

the idea of if you build it they will come is no enough to get people to come back.

 

[oldjones]

Why are Slots closing?

Because humans are good at learning.

 

[james t kirk]

I wasn't aware of them closing these places down. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure what they are.

Is this the casino in Windsor? Or a horse track in Windsor with slot machines? Is the horse track staying open?

Sometimes places like this have a life span as well.

I heard on the radio this morning that the gov't is considering building more casinos, or allowing the construction of.

One of the places they are suggesting is Toronto.

This is a BAD idea.

Somehow I equate building a casino as a sign of a city in decline. I don't think Toronto wants that kind of reputation.

Never mind the social cost of a casino. We have enough fucking casinos in Ontario already. (And why does it not surprise me that that little twerp Godfey is involved. Guy fancies himself Moe Green I guess.)

 

[bluecolt]

anon1,

Amen to government incompetence. By closing the racino slots where they receive only 80% of the proceeds with no capital outlays, those fools McGuinty and Duncan will employ more government hacks, hangers-on and bandwagon jumpers to create a newly-regurgitated OLG with more government outlets replete with graft, corruption, nepotism and outright theft mirroring ORNGE, E-Health and windmill subsidies.These outlets will lose money hand over fist, much like the New York sites, and taxes will be increased to fund another white elephant.

 

[sailorsix]

Worse news is that HBO has just killed "LUCK" all because a 3rd horse died during filming.

 

[sailorsix]

"All three tracks will continue to receive funding from OLG until the end of March 2013 if the tracks keep the horseracing end of the operation going.

“These employees made important contributions,” said Phillips, who added it was necessary to close the slots in order to bolster Caesars Windsor, a massive gaming and hotel complex across the border from Detroit.

“This protects Caesars, which is a significant facility for OLG,” he said. “We regret the impact today’s decision will have on employees who are affected by these impending closures.”"