Three former Toronto mayors are urging Mayor Rob Ford and city council to “beware the sales pitch” and slam the door on a casino.

In a joint letter, David Crombie (1972-1978), John Sewell (1978-1980), and Senator Art Eggleton (1980-1991) argue “it is not in our city’s best interest to establish commercial casino operations in Toronto.”

The letter, provided to the Star by Eggleton, pits them against Ford and former Metro chair Paul Godfrey (1973-1984), now chair of Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp., who are urging councillors to welcome a downtown casino in a vote expected in April.

Crombie, Sewell and Eggleton say that, during their years in office, “we saw countless proposals that proponents said would bring the city big revenues, many jobs, and much prestige. And some of them did, but beware the sales pitch.”

Economic benefits may be overstated, they say, citing U.S. research suggesting that for every $1 benefit there are $3 in costs for such things as infrastructure, policing and social services.

The ex-mayors warn of a potential rise in crime and harm to businesses surrounding any new casino.

“Casinos want to keep you in the building, not roaming to outside restaurants and other establishments in the community,” they write. “In Atlantic City many restaurants have closed near the casinos, leaving a few pawnshops and cash for gold stores.”

Without naming Godfrey, who was recently criticized for saying he wouldn’t want a casino in his neighbourhood but downtown isn’t residential, they argue that Toronto’s condo development is putting “residential” neighbourhoods everywhere.

The ex-mayors also argue that casinos prey on the vulnerable and increase “poverty, homelessness, gambling problems, suicides, drug/alcohol addictions, and crimes by those feeding their habit.”

Finally, they say, Toronto will not become a “tourist gambling destination,” and revenues will come at the expense of other games of chance and lotteries.

“We say enough is enough,” they write. “Governments shouldn’t be expanding gambling opportunities as a means of balancing their budgets.”

Eggleton said the three chat regularly and decided to release the letter now, without approaching other ex-mayors, to stir discussion before the vote.

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Ford has said a downtown casino would bring Toronto thousands of “good union jobs” and significant revenues without serious ills — a position echoed by casino giants vying for the opportunity.

Godfrey has consistently said an “iconic” waterfront casino would give Toronto a big tourism and convention boost.