Ken Mann
1/17/2013
An overflow audience of supporters and opponents has gathered at City Hall, rowdy at times, to have its say on whether downtown Hamilton should be home to a casino.
For supporters, it's about economic benefits and freedom of choice.
They also, at times, accused the anti-casino movement of fear mongering and on that score they received some support from the Hamilton Police Service.
Deputy Police Chief Ken Leendertsee, while making it clear that the force has no official position on whether there should be a casino downtown, says a review of statistical information shows that "the fear is crime is much greater than crime itself" in regards to concerns about increased crime in neighbourhoods located near a gaming facility.
Opponents also cited a range of other concerns including problem gambling and other social costs, as well as a negative impact on the revitalization that they note is already happening in the core.
Gordon Gogo insists that putting a casino downtown will "kill James Street North" and "drain every restaurant".
They was widespread support for a second straight night for a continuation of the city's existing gaming operation in Flamborough, however OLG officials remain non-committal as to whether that operation would be allowed to continue once its lease expires.
Hamilton City Council has until March 1st to decide if it wants a casino, and where it should be located.
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