Grand River Raceway operator wants to add table gambling

CTV Kitchener: Privatizing gaming operations Slot machines are nothing new at Grand River Raceway, and now some people want table games added to the mix. Tyler Calver explains.

Could blackjack, roulette and other table games be coming to Grand River Raceway?

It’s far from a certainty, but it’s by no means out of the question either.

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. recently issued a request for proposals looking for a private company to handle day-to-day operations for what it calls its west GTA gaming bundle.

That bundle includes the slots at Grand River Raceway, Mohawk Racetrack and Flamboro Downs, as well as OLG Casino Brantford.

The winning company will receive a contract that will likely keep them as the gaming facilities’ operator for at least 20 years.

While the operator could theoretically decide to do things like add table games at the racetracks, OLG spokesperson Tony Bitonti says the operator would still have to develop a business plan for each of the four sites, which would require approval from OLG and the province.

The Grand River Agricultural Society, which currently operates the raceway, is one group hoping for approval to allow table games.

Raceway general manager Ted Clarke says the racetrack needs to expand to remain viable, and he sees table games as the best bet for that expansion.

“There will be one (table) gaming site in this zone,” he said in an interview. “We hope to be it.”

With reporting by Tyler Calver