The District of Nipissing Social Service Administration Board (DNSSAB) is formally requesting a revenue-sharing agreement with Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) to address what it calls "the social impacts of a casino operating in the City of North Bay."
“We are asking for formal matching of revenue sharing with OLG, similar to the agreement with the City of North Bay,” says DNSSAB Chair, Mark King. “We are proposing the funds could then be used for homelessness prevention, mental health and addictions services and employment supports for the marginalized and vulnerable in the District.”
The impact of a casino was studied by the DNSSAB in 2012 when a casino for North Bay was first proposed. The report estimates that approximately 5 per cent of the adult population in the District, or between 2,000 and 3,000 citizens, could become problem gamblers.
King says that “the only mechanism to offset the social costs is through the municipal levy. This would be extremely unfair to regional municipalities as they are receiving no funding from the casino, but are expected to participate financially in the levy for support services through the DNSSAB.”
Historically the OLG has used funds received through gaming to support targeted purposes that enhance communities.
“This request to OLG will help to benefit the most marginalized in the region with better supports and help minimize the cost of the social impact of a casino on the region,” adds King.
