MPP Lisa Gretzky is raising concerns about iGaming- set to launch in Ontario next month.
She fears the new platform could take revenue away from the province and reduce patronage at brick and mortar casinos.
In the fall, parties interested in hosting iGaming in Ontario were required to register with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Operators would then reach an agreement with iGaming Ontario. The province has not announced how many parties have registered with the commission.
However, the iGaming market in Ontario is set to open on April 4, 2022.
Gretzky says the launch should be delayed until all laid-off casino employees are back to work.
"They have to make sure that the workers that are currently off get called back, that those jobs are secure and that there are connected addiction services in place before they launch," said Gretzky. Gretzky said the government has also not announced the percentage of revenue generated from the registered iGaming platforms will go back to the treasury.
Land-based casinos return 55 per cent of net gambling profits to the Ontario treasury.
Unifor Local 444 President Dave Cassidy represents about 1,000 workers still laid off after the Caesars Windsor closed due to the pandemic.
Though capacity restrictions have been lifted, Cassidy says people have not returned.
"Hopefully, those numbers come back up. I'm telling you it's one of the safest places to be. They've spent over $1-million just on plexiglass inside the facility," said Cassidy. "It is very safe, it's very clean, it's always been clean and top-notch, so we really hope we can attract the people back."
