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Monday marked the latest round in Toronto’s casino tug-of-war as the president of Caesars Entertainment amped up his pitch for a new gambling facility, while the city’s board of health formalized its opposition.

In response to a staff report warning a new GTA casino would likely fuel problem gambling among Toronto residents, the board — in a nearly unanimous vote — urged city council to reject the proposed downtown facility.

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“When I think of casinos, the image that pops into my head is a black hole. They just sort of suck in all the light and the energy around them and not much escapes,” said councillor and board chair John Filion. “They create nothing of value, they ruin lives, and really this is about the character of the city and what we value not only as a society, but as Torontonians.”

Adults in free societies ought to have the right to visit places like this, and I also believe as an economist that cities have a lot to benefit from offering these services

Hours earlier, in a lunchtime speech to the Economic Club of Canada, Caesars president Gary Loveman brought the opposite message, renewing his call for a “dynamic, 24-hour, seven-day-a-week operation” in the heart of the city — something he vowed would boost tourism, create new jobs and make Toronto a more attractive meeting spot. Caesars previously released details of its vision for a massive hotel, casino and convention centre on Front Street, though Mr. Loveman said he remained open to other sites.