Is Dwight Losing His Bet

I just did not have the space to run this BLOG when I first started writing it. It kept getting bumped by other BLOGS. I updated it however as news stories were published. Clearly, today is the day it MUST be run after the news about the Bingo Company's Receivership.

Here is what Dwight Duncan, our MPP and Cabinet Minister, said, "It will be an initially short-term decline, but things will pick up. In six months, we'll see who's right and who's wrong...we will monitor this very carefully."

I know it is not six months yet. But those darn gloom and doomers about the No Smoking laws are getting me down. Why can't they be upbeat like Dwight Duncan?

I am sure you read what Ken Lewenza said about the Casino recently:

• "They call it labour adjustment. I call it layoffs," Lewenza said. "I have no doubt they will be announcing layoffs. We're already starting to see the first signs with our part-timers. I was shocked to learn from my members that no part-timers have been scheduled to work over the July 1st weekend."

John Fairley of the bingo industry also said a few weeks ago:

• "There could be a realignment with hall closures on the horizon," said John Fairley, vice-president of marketing at CBC Bingo Group, which employs more than 400 workers at its seven bingo halls in Windsor and Tecumseh.
  
  "We could see fewer bingo halls."
  
  Although no job cuts were announced Monday, Fairley did disclose bingo sessions at two of its halls in Windsor -- Big D Bingo Emporium and Hollywood -- would drop by 18 hours a week starting July 7."

Dwight Duncan, the optimist, said that he did not "share their pessimism" ie Report prepared for the City on the consequences of the No Smoking law on our Community.

So what's been going on as is reported in the media:

• Profit from charity bingos in Windsor plunged almost 40 per cent between 1999 and 2005, forcing some organizations to cut programs and staffing.
• The crippling impact of the strong loonie, anti-smoking legislation as well as high gasoline prices is prompting the shutdown of a Windsor bingo hall, and fuelling the possibility of further closures in an industry still reeling from the fallout of the 9-11 attacks.
• Nearly a month into Ontario's smoking ban, Windsor bingo hall operators say many Michigan customers are staying home.
• Brentwood cuts beds, staff: the centre continues to depend on money from donations, bingo events and an annual lottery...the recent closure of Derby Bingo was a major blow to Brentwood's funding
• Casino Windsor announced more than 300 layoffs Wednesday, citing a declining exchange rate, border issues, gas prices and the provincewide smoking ban as blows to its revenue and attendance...Ward said the company has seen a 20- to 30-per-cent decline in business since the smoking ban came into effect May 31.
• A $124,000 ad campaign is being launched in Michigan, touting Windsor as a "smoke-free, hassle-free" tourist destination. The province of Ontario will contribute $48,000 to help the area's convention and visitors bureau advertise Windsor's new smoke-free status.

Now don't tell me that Dwight should not be appearing at some of those big poker tournaments. That man has a poker face and has nerves of steel as he bluffs his way through this crisis in his home town. Did he forget that he is no longer Minister of Finance and can demand more money on behalf of his constituents.

Dwight said recently in a Star story:

• The $400-million Casino Windsor expansion will eventually win back U.S. gamblers lost because of a falling Canadian dollar, border delays and new anti-smoking bylaw (so now we have to wait years to prove Dwight wrong...smart!)
• It also would be wrong to point to the provincial smoking ban as the sole factor in the casino's recent declining fortunes, Duncan said. (Only 20-30% drop in business since the no smoking law came in!)
• Crowds are still there and there are 3,000 people working there (sure but smaller crowds and fewer employees now than before)

For his sake and electoral future, I sure hope that he is holding a Royal Flush!

UPDATE: The Star reported that "Ontario's chief medical officer said the provincial smoking ban should not cause permanent damage and could result in business increases."

Really. Would you think that Dr. Sheela Basrur would have said otherwise! "Some establishments could face "a term of adjustment." That's political-speak for going out of business.

UPDATE#2 The Star reported today about the Receivership of CBC Bingo that operates six of the city's seven bingo parlours. John Fairley said that the Company experienced "a drop in attendance of eight per cent and a 20 per cent drop in revenues within the last few months alone"