We already spread the gossip that Toronto is rumoured to be getting its first casino, but now Toronto’s Finance Minister, Dwight Duncan, has confirmed the government just might try its luck with a casino in the capital.
However, as opposition to casinos in Toronto dies down, Duncan said yesterday he would await an upcoming Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation study on “land-based gaming” before committing to any solid plans.
In a report by TheStar, the government’s treasurer said: “They’re looking at every aspect — not just the casinos, they’re looking at the lotteries … they’re moving on Internet gaming.
“It’d be premature to comment, other than to say we wouldn’t do anything like that without a clear expression from the city of Toronto that they’d like it,” the treasurer added.
Sheldon Adelson’s casino operator, Las Vegas Sands, has clung on to the top spot for a second year running in the GBGC 50 Gambling Index, which lists the largest gambling firms.
The list also illustrates how the company’s sister firm, Sand Macau, joined Las Vegas Sands on the list in second place.
It’s hardly surprising considering, in a report by MMD Newswire, the company’s casino revenues for the nine months to 30 September 2011 were $ 5.43 billion, thatt’s an 38% increase over the same period in 2010.
Research Director at Global Betting and Gaming Consultants (GBGC), Lorien Pilling, , said: “Given the strong performance of both its Macau and Singapore gaming properties in 2011 it is no surprise to see Las Vegas Sands and Sands China holding the top two spots in the GBGC 50 Index. The company has also reported a better performance from its US operations too.”
Consolidated operating profit for the nine month period in 2011 was $ 1.73 billion, more than double the $ 692 million reported in 2010.
Northern Edge Navajo Casino in New Mexico opened yesterday to the delight of hundreds of gamers who stood in line, as well as the Navajo Nation – a tribe who have been anticipating the casino’s opening for years. In a report by the New Mexico Daily Times, the casino doors opened 30 minutes early after community members were chanting for the facility to “open up”.
The $70 million facility located one mile west of New Mexico 371 on Navajo Route 36 is the third for the Navajo tribe, which already operates casinos in Church Rock and Hogback.
Navajo President Ben Shelly was noted as saying the casino is “a growing economy” and a “job creation”.
