Ward 11 candidate John Lindsay, who is involved in the legal appeals to stop the Kingsway Entertainment District, said in a release this week that the planned Gateway Casino would “exploit” local charities.
“Proceeds from the bingo halls go to support over 160 local charities, while proceeds from the casino go largely to provincial coffers, and the return to the community is only a small fraction of the revenue 'earned' by the casino,” Lindsay writes.
“As chair of Friendly to Seniors – Sudbury, our organization, while not condemning gambling, does recognize the dangers and support the opinion of our Health Unit that 'the negative impacts of establishing a casino in Sudbury would outweigh any benefits of such a gambling centre and that groups particularly at risk include youth, older adults, aboriginal people and those with low incomes.'”
Full text of Lindsay's letter:
Gateway Exploits Local Charities
Shocking and shameful is the only way to describe the actions of Gateway Casino to try to lure patrons of 2 local charity bingo halls to their facility, the slots in Chelmsford, according to Richard Schwar of the Charitable Gaming Association of Sudbury.
As Mr Schwar describes in a letter to all candidates (attached) Gateway has published an ad saying any “local charity bingo offers” will be honoured at the Gateway operation.
Proceeds from the bingo halls go to support over 160 local charities, while proceeds from the Casino go largely to provincial coffers, and the return to the community is only a small fraction of the revenue “earned” by the Casino. This attempt by Gateway will harm directly those essential charitable organizations, programs and services and affect the quality of life of many of our most vulnerable citizens.
As chair of friendly to Seniors – Sudbury, our organization, while not condemning gambling, does recognize the dangers and support the opinion of our Health Unit that “the negative impacts of establishing a casino in Sudbury would outweigh any benefits of such a gambling centre and that groups particularly at risk include youth, older adults, aboriginal people and those with low incomes”
We also recognize that seniors are a particular and vulnerable target group for casino operators
More information on the negative aspects of casino gambling those interested are invited to go to the following websites www.nocasinosudbury.ca, www.casinofreesudbury.com, and www.friendlytoseniors.ca. It should be noted that the possible establishment of a casino as part ot the Kingsway Entertainment District is also the subject of LPAT appeals to be heard on Nov. 6 in Sudbury.
John Lindsay, Chair Friendly to Seniors – Sudbury and councillor candidate – www.johnlindsay.ca
