More than 20,000 (20,345) Ontarians participated in the telephone town hall meetings hosted this past week by the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association
. Both events were moderated by radio personality Carol Motts (themotts.ca).
Sue Leslie, President of the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association was joined by Glenn Sikura, Anna DeMarchi-Meyers, Bill O'Donnell, Bob Broadstock and John LeBlanc who represent various segments of Ontario's horse racing industry to share their knowledge and answer questions.
The interest level was high among listeners as more than 160 Ontarians had questions for industry representatives.
The town halls demonstrated there is strong support for horse racing in rural and urban Ontario, and that those communities that currently host racetracks do in fact support gaming, while urban areas are strongly opposed to hosting gaming centres. Throughout Ontario it was clear that very few Ontarians support where the government is going with gaming expansion.
Thursday April 12, 2012 call to urban communities:
Should the government of Ontario maintain the OLG Slots at Racetracks Program with 20% of slots revenue going to the horsemen and racetracks? (Urban Ontarians)
81% Yes; 19% No
Would you support a casino in your community? (Urban Ontarians)
29% Yes; 71% No
Are you satisfied with the government's proposed OLG gaming expansion? (Urban Ontarians)
10% Yes; 90% No
Tuesday April 10, 2012 Call to rural racetrack communities:
Should the government of Ontario maintain the OLG Slots at Racetracks Program with 20% of slots revenue going to the horsemen and racetracks? (Racetrack Communities)
92% Yes; 8% No
Would you support a casino in your community? (Racetrack Communities)
67% Yes; 33% No
Are you satisfied with the government's proposed OLG gaming expansion? (Racetrack Communities)
9% Yes; 91% No
(OHRIA)