Oakville Balks At Bingo

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Published: September 7, 2012 03:25 pm EDT

It has been reported that the Town of Oakville has decided to 'hold off' on signing the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s Charitable Gaming Centre Agreement after Councillors explained that existing language in the agreement could pave the way for slot machines and video lottery terminals being installed in the bingo hall without the town's approval.

A report by the Oakville Beaver has cited Oakville Ward 5 Town and Regional Councillor / Acting Mayor Jeff Knoll as saying that a past referendum found the majority of Oakville residents are not in favour of gambling taking place within the town, and that is for that reason that Oakville Town Council has refused to sign the OLG’s agreement.

The article also explains that the language of the unsigned OLG agreement would even leave Oakville Delta Bingo owner Cam Johnstone powerless to what types of gaming machines would actually be in the facility --- the OLG would retain that control. Nevertheless, Johnstone is still urging the town to accept the current agreement which is being offered by the OLG. Johnstone is saying he will be forced to close his doors and put some 40 employees out of work if a deal is not struck between the OLG and the town.

“We can’t be bullied into making public policy based on the licensee (Johnstone) trying to force our hand, which he has been trying to do since Day 1 by making these suggestions,” the article has quoted Knoll as saying.

“There was some degree of comfort when Mr. Johnstone had an agreement with the Province that he could veto (specific) games and now the Province has even taken that away,” Knoll was quoted as saying.

“At this point in time, there is no comfort level for myself or the majority of the members of council and we need to see the process through.”

(With files from the Oakville Beaver)

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I think every bus stop in ontario should have at least one slot machine.Also, it would be a good business decision to allow slots at every subway, station in Toronto.Even at every subway restaurant also. Mcdonald's, Tim Horton's why not? Every church in Ontario should also be allowed to have their own slots.Wouldn't be a bad idea to also allow slots at every police station in Ontario. Why not airports? Hospitals? Massage parlours? How about on every Air Canada airplane? Taxis? Let's not forget public washrooms. What about in schools,(High School, College's University's )Kindergarten's? What great Idea's!!! But lets not put slots at a racetrack, It just doesn't make good business sense for the goverment. What aaaaaaa goverment!!!!

Well you certainly can't trust any agreements you make with the OLG

"Johnstone is saying he will be forced to close his doors and put some 40 employees out of work if a deal is not struck between the OLG and the town."

Wow, 40 employees ... I feel bad for them ... but the Liberals and OLG don't seem to have the least bit of concern about the many THOUSANDS of Horse Racing Industry jobs that will be lost if they continue with their ludicrous plans.

Stick to your guns Mayor Knoll... You know there's a snake in the woodpile , waiting to strike . They just change the rules to suit their own needs. All these community's need to be very cautious before applying their BIC's to any contracts with OLG .You see what a contract with the horse industry meant !

Good for the Town of Oakville. That should be our next concerted effort to get the word out to various Towns and Cities that the Liberal plan is to launch Video Gaming in bingo halls throughout the province. I hope the Town of Woodstock steps to the plate on this issue as well.

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