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St. Thomas would also be interested in the casino if London drops the ball.

“We would be happy to have that opportunity,” Sean Dyke, director of the economic development office in St. Thomas, said.

“I think we have sites available. There is always a debate about whether it is good for the community, but if you don’t have it locally, it will just go elsewhere.”

London Mayor Ed Holder made an impassioned plea at the planning and environment committee meeting Monday the city cannot turn its back on the casino windfall, pleading with fellow politicians to support the casino bid when it comes to council.

He warned Gateway has “options” to go south of London, and Southwold has the massive former Ford assembly plant site that is vacant, a stone’s throw from its proposed site in London at 3334 and 3354 Wonderland Road.

“We are at a critical crossroads. We need to get this over the finish line. This is very important to us,” Rob Mitchell, spokesperson for Gateway, said Tuesday.

“It is our singe biggest investment in Ontario and we chose London for our corporate office. I do not think there is more we can do to signal goodwill.”

He remained optimistic Tuesday a deal can get done in London, citing support from city staff that recommended to politicians they approve the casino project.

But the clock is ticking, he added.

“We cannot sit back and wait,” he said. “We have had entreaties from St. Thomas, Grand Bend and Woodstock.”

But the casino has to be in the zone approved by Ontario Lottery Gaming Corp. and that includes London to St. Thomas, as far west as Mt. Brydges and east just past Veterans Memorial Parkway.