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Ontario Government Criticized for Inaction

ONTARIO – As reported by the Windsor Star: "The Ontario government has damaged Windsor by dragging its feet over whether to expand Casino Windsor while its competition in Detroit forges ahead with development, says a leading industry analyst.

"According to American news reports Wednesday, Detroit is considering building a fourth casino -- though significant hurdles remain, most notably obtaining a casino licence -- and greatly expanding its main convention facility Cobo Center.

"…'What has hurt Windsor badly in the last number of years has been the absolute indecision at Queen's Park on what to do,' said Ivan Sack, the editor and publisher of Canadian Gaming News.

"'So in the absence of making a decision they've simply done nothing, which has given Detroit the time advantage to not only build the initial three casinos but for two of them to come forward with expansion plans, and now a new convention centre.'

"…According to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, 10-year-old Casino Windsor has gone from generating revenues of $734 million in the 2000-2001 fiscal year to $514 million in 2003-2004. On Monday, Casino Windsor cut its workforce by 201 because of reduced business, but rehired 138 as part-timers.

"Windsor has waited years to find out whether the province will allow a casino expansion on vacant land just west of the facility. City leaders have also bemoaned the delay in increasing convention space, at least partly dependent on a casino expansion…"

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