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Casino Windsor Profits Shrink

TORONTO, Ontario – As reported by the Windsor Star: "Profits at Casino Windsor continue to shrink because of increased border security, competition from Detroit casinos, the lingering repercussions from a six-week strike last year and the declining value of the Canadian dollar.

"Ontario's government-owned casinos in general aren't as lucrative as they once were.

"Figures show net income from the three commercial operations declined to $261 million in 2004 from a peak of $756 million in 1999.

"…The document points to a number of problems that undermined income for the year, including a six-day shutdown at Casino Windsor in August 2003 when a massive blackout hit eastern North America.

"A new provincial law that will ban smoking in public places when it goes into effect in May 2006 is also expected to hurt the province's gambling business.

"Revenues at Casino Niagara fell to $499 million in 2003-04 from $641 million in 1999-00, while Casino Windsor's take fell to $501 million in 2003-04 from $639 million in 2001-02, when the Sept. 11 attacks occurred.

"…Theresa Roncon, spokeswoman for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission, said the figures in the report are not new and the public is already well aware of the decline in revenue at Casino Windsor because of border-related issues.

"…The declining fortunes of the commercial casinos means the Ontario treasury received less income from gaming operations…"

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