With pandemic job losses at Caesars Windsor hovering around 1,000, Unifor and the NDP came together Tuesday to sound the alarm over the provincial government’s plan to launch legalized online gambling — known as iGaming — on April 4.
“Many casino workers are still struggling to get by, put food on their table and some have lost their homes,” said local MPP Lisa Gretzky (NDP — Windsor-West). “Now the government is moving forward with iGaming. The question is why now with thousands of casino workers (across Ontario) still laid off.”
The local MPP was joined Tuesday by Unifor Local 444 President Dave Cassidy, who represents Windsor’s casino workers, in calling on the government to delay the start of iGaming until there are assurances all laid-off casino workers are back at work and their jobs fully protected.
“The reality is we need to have conversations to make certain these jobs are maintained and protected,” Cassidy said. “We have 1,000 workers on layoff still and we have to get these people back. We need a calculated approach on how we go through this.
“We need assurances there will be no job losses through iGaming. The province needs to take care of these workers before dipping their toe into another area.”
An independent consultant’s study released last month estimated up to 100 of the 500 gaming-related jobs at Windsor’s casino could eventually be lost once internet gaming is legalized in Ontario.
The government is making the move to get a slice of the billions of gambling dollars Canadians otherwise spend online in the “grey market,” where accounts are set up in the U.S. or overseas to place sports wagers, play poker or any number of games on sites such as Draft Kings, Betway or Jackpot City.
The change in legislation for the first time allows those companies to open up legally in Ontario.
But Gretzky said there has been “no transparency” from the government on the rules these companies must follow. She is concerned it will quickly lead to loss of revenue at land-based casinos, which not only will cost jobs, but also a reduction in government revenue that currently gets redirected into health care, education and host municipalities that include Windsor.
This city annually generates up to $10 million as a host for Caesars Windsor.
“There are still questions what will be the government’s percentage take (on revenues) from iGaming,” she said.
Cassidy hopes the provincial government will delay the April 4th launch.
“I think there needs to be an approach to start slowly with this and then grow the pie,” he said. “Get focused on what this means for jobs and ensure our workers will be protected. We shouldn’t be leaping into this overnight until all concerns have been addressed.”
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