City council has voted in favour of expanding gaming options at Toronto's Woodbine Racetrack.
The plan recommended by city staff last month was passed 25 to 19 Wednesday afternoon. It calls for more games, including live-dealer tables, at the Rexdale complex. Currently, Woodbine features approximately 3,000 electronic games and slots.
Ahead of the vote, the plan had the support of a number of councillors, including Ward 7's Giorgio Mammoliti.
"The economic factor is one that we can't ignore," Mammoliti told CTV Toronto earlier on Wednesday.
According to a report from the city's acting manager last month, the expansion of gambling could add up to $14 million in revenue into the city's coffers annually. The plan would also mean potentially more jobs created in that area – something Toronto Mayor John Tory supports.
Opponents of the idea, however, warned that more gaming options at Woodbine may encourage problem-gambling in nearby neighbourhoods.
"The evidence that we have in front of us actually says people gamble more when there is a casino in close proximity," said Coun. Mike Layton before the vote was passed. "In fact, as close as a 20-minute drive."
But according to Coun. Rob Ford, "anything in moderation" is acceptable.
The former mayor, who has openly talked about his own addiction issues, said that problem-gambling exists, but so do many other addictions.
"There are problems, but then you know you have problems with alcohol, there's problems with cigarettes, there's problems with food," he told reporters. "If you're going to go and live life in excess on any one thing, it's going to have a negative impact. But anything in moderation I don't think is that bad."
According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health's Problem Gaming Institute, approximately 2.5 per cent of Ontarians have a moderate-to-severe gambling problem.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Natalie Johnson
