Niagara Falls mayor-elect weighs in on Ontario’s casino plans

Niagara Falls Mayor-elect Lori Lococo spoke with CHCH News after the Ontario government made a call for over $3 billion in direct gaming investment in Niagara Falls this week.

The Ontario government says it wants to bring as many as three new resort-casinos to Niagara Falls.

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming wants experienced casino operators to submit proposals within the next month.

“It is a regional plan and not just a destination as a regional plan, and not just for Niagara Falls, and it’s an entertainment plan as well,” said Lococo. “It’s not just about gaming, but this is including the gaming piece of it, which is very important because there’s a lot of different opinions, there’s some benefits to look at. It will increase tourism, that’s for sure, and which is a good thing, but we have to be responsible in the growth of our tourism. We have to ensure that our residents are taken care of.”

WATCH MORE: Ontario seeks proposals for up to three new Niagara Falls resort-casinos

Niagara Falls currently has two casinos: Fallsview and Casino Niagara.

Residents in the area told CHCH News that they weren’t interested in three new casinos, and that three casinos is excessive.

Some tourists in the area said they were visiting the area for the beauty of the falls over a desire to go to a casino. Others say there were more than enough casinos in the area already.

Tourism Niagara says additional casinos would create more year-round employment.

READ MORE: OLG, MGE reach agreement to allow new casino operators in Niagara

“It’s that everything else that comes with it, it’s the entertainment offerings, it’s the elevated restaurant experiences,” said Adam Stiles with Niagara Falls Tourism. “There’s a lot of upside that could potentially come from seeing some investment like this, but I think at the end of the day it boils down to doing it as smartly as possible.”

“My position has always been that I’m going to support good paying jobs,” said MPP of Niagara Falls Wayne Gates, who says residents should be consulted.

“You should have consultation, you should have town halls, you know, and when I had my town hall 1,200 people showed up very enthusiastic, saying ‘hey look, we don’t want a second ferris wheel,’ that’s what should happen with casinos,” said Gates. “You should involve the residents, you involve the workers, you get all the unions.”

The Ford government says casino operators will have to make a minimum investment of $1.5 billion and would have to pay $100 million as an entrance fee.

WATCH MORE: Ford announces multi-billion dollar strategy to reinvigorate Niagara tourism