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The president of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation — one of three entertainment giants vying to build a downtown casino — has zoned in on the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, saying a new gaming facility would give a needed “boost” to the Front Street site.

Sands president Michael Leven told the Economic Club of Canada Monday that if given the chance, he would work with Oxford Properties Group to redevelop the MTCC into an “integrated resort” with a casino and retail, hotel and convention space.

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“It needs a boost. It needs the activity that’ll drive more business, more people and more excitement into the downtown community, and we can do that without any additional major infrastructure investments from the city, from the province or from the federal government,” Mr. Leven said. “We don’t need the money; we can do it ourselves.”

The $2-billion proposal calls for 2,000 additional parking spots, upscale retail outlets and a skyscraper hotel. The MTCC would be expanded with additional ballrooms and meeting space, Mr. Leven said.