Supplier News
Canada – Ontario mayor wants free alcohol in casinos
By Phil - 15 January 2015
Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati wants Ontario casinos to be able to offer free alcohol to combat falling attendance and dwindling profits.
He highlighted that Seneca Niagara Casino in Niagara Falls, New York is already offering free alcohol as well as smoking. The Seneca’s website states: “While you are gaming at Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel, all beverages received while playing any slot machine or table games are available at no cost to you.”
Visitation has dropped at Ontario’s casinos from 16,717,060 in 2010 to 13,943,101 in 2014 with GGR dropping by $101m during the same time.
Mayor Diodati said: “We’re getting beat at our own game. There are solutions to our problems, but you cannot be afraid to fail. Doing nothing is not a solution. This is not a time to turtle.”
Greg Medulun, Director of Communications for Fallsview Casino and Casino Niagara, said: “Being able to provide complimentary alcohol would certainly eliminate one of the competitive variables that we have with the neighbouring US casinos, but a 5,000-7,000 seat entertainment centre is the amenity that we are after. A new entertainment centre attached to Fallsview Casino would transform our business.”
