If councillors get their way, Torontonians could be voting in a referendum on whether to allow a new casino downtown.
Debate begins Wednesday on whether to add a downtown casino in Toronto, a project which the provincial government supports as it looks for additional revenue sources.
The provincial government has said a downtown Toronto casino could bring in $4 billion annually and could create 4,000 new jobs.
Councillors, however, are deeply divided on the issue, even before the official debate has begun.
"The overwhelming majority of Torontonians don't want a casino," Coun. Adam Vaughan told CTV News.
Vaughan said he doesn't think council should be discussing the prospect of a casino without a referendum.
If there is a referendum on the casino issue, it won't be the first time.
In 1997, 72 per cent of Torontonians voted "no" to putting a permanent gaming facility in city limits.
A potential location for the new casino is Ontario Place, which the Ontario government closed down earlier this year because it was losing money.
Coun. Mike Layton, who represents the ward with Ontario Place in it, is against using the space for a casino as part of its redevelopment.
"The numbers don't support the claims that casinos bring great things for a city," Layton said. "It's actually a gamble for the city that could have a greater impact on us down the road."
Mayor Rob Ford has already said he is in favour of both the casino and of a referendum to allow citizens to vote on whether they want one.
It was a position echoed by Coun. Doug Ford Tuesday.
"I believe in referendums," said Doug Ford. "There should have been a referendum on subways. There should be a referendum on casinos. Two major issues."
With files from CTV Toronto's Natalie Johnson
