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Delegates ranged from a rickshaw owner to a University of Ottawa constitutional expert during a debate on the city's gambling future Tuesday night.
There was advice on where to put a new casino, and there was an overwhelming voice against a downtown gaming house.
Liam Mooney, with the upstart A Better Bet anti-casino group, challenged politicians to question Mayor Jim Watson's preference of having a downtown casino.
"This matters to people. You need to consider what people are saying," Mooney said.
But the finance and economic development committee voted to endorse the concept of a new casino for Ottawa.
Gloucester-Southgate Coun. Diane Deans was the only committee member voting against it.
Council will be asked to ratify next Wednesday.
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. is trying to find a private company to build and operate a casino. The city will receive a cut of gaming revenue, as it does now with the slots at the Rideau Carleton Raceway.
The raceway faces closure if it doesn't win the casino. Council will likely ask OLG to pre-qualify the raceway in the multistage tendering process.
Alex Lawryk, representing the Rideau Carleton Raceway, told politicians the entertainment centre is ready to bid. There will be thousands of jobs and the raceway's gaming facility would easily compete head-on with the Lac Leamy casino, he said.
"Rideau Carleton Raceway is poised and ready with a comprehensive program," Lawryk said.
John MacMillan, with the National Capital Region Harness Horse Association, said council would throw horse professionals out of work if it chooses a downtown casino.
"We need Rideau Carleton to survive," MacMillan said.
Ottawa Tourism, the airport authority, chamber of commerce and Bank St. BIA signalled support for a new casino, while several delegates slammed the idea.
U of O law professor Martha Jackman told councillors it's a Charter issue since gambling could negatively affect the security of vulnerable people. Even rickshaw businessman Adam Slight thought the city was being "sneaky" in trying to keep gambling money on the Ottawa side of the river.
Others hammered away on the potential health impact.
The OLG pours $54 million into gambling addiction programs annually. The Ottawa area gets about $981,000.
Carol Wu, of the Amethyst Women's Addiction Centre, told the committee the money isn't enough. Paul Welsh, with Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services, agreed.
jon.willing@sunmedia.ca
Twitter: @JonathanWilling
Which do you think is a bigger deal for the city?
Source: http://www.ottawasun.com/2012/10/02/committee-ready-to-gamble
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