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Oxford Properties, which owns part of the convention centre and has reportedly been looking at the possibility of a casino entertainment complex, did not return a call for comment.

The mayor has expressed support for anything that is a “fair deal for taxpayers,” but city council appears divided on the matter.

“There will not be a casino built in Toronto, Torontonians will overwhelmingly reject it,” said Councillor Gord Perks. “No amount of dressing it up and trying to put lipstick on a pig will sell it to Torontonians.” Councillor Adam Vaughan, in whose ward the convention centre sits, has assailed putting a casino there, saying it would damage the nearby cultural, tech and financial sectors.

Others are looking for more information.

“What it is and how much we’re potentially taking in are to me the big determinants and those questions haven’t been answered yet,” said Councillor Josh Colle, who was among eight city councillors who met with MGM this week. “Is it going to be a box on the lake? I don’t think anyone likes that,” he said. Mr. Feldman, with MGM, says public opinion research it commissioned in Toronto suggests residents are more supportive of the concept of a casino in a larger entertainment leisure complex.

Exhibition Place is owned by the city, so picking it as a venue could net it more money, he pointed out. He thinks a casino resort could draw a million new tourists to Toronto — Caesars bets it’s even more — which produces other economic spin-offs.

Ms. Jones says cities are often concerned that a casino will “cannibalize” the existing business. She talked up Caesars’ “collaborative” approach that offers packages at other hotels, or complimentary dinners at local restaurants. “We’d probably more likely look for a local partner to help us program [our entertainment venue]. We don’t want to keep people from going to the shows and entertainment that exists,” she said. Both MGM and Caesars said they are still open to other locations in Toronto.

National Post

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