Caesars increases its efforts for Toronto gaming bid

Caesars Entertainment Corp. has stepped up its efforts to land a potential gaming license in Toronto.

A Canadian News Service reported that Las Vegas-based Caesars executives plan to meet with Toronto city leaders to discuss the budding development.

“We believe we could present a project that would benefit the city, that would grow tourism and that would be a part of the business community, not come in and try to replace (businesses),” Caesars Senior Vice President Jan Jones said Tuesday.

Earlier this month, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation officials announced interested firms have until mid-summer to express their interest in a casino development. City bureaucrats are now studying the pros and cons of putting a casino in Toronto.

Caesars representatives plan to visit the city next week to get the lay of the land.

The city’s lobbyist registry shows Caesars Entertainment has registered four lobbyists to promote the company’s interest in “economic development” and Exhibition Place and “waterfront revitalization.”

MGM Resorts International has also hired Canadian lobbyists to help in the company’s effort to win the possible bid. Las Vegas Sands Corp. officials have also expressed interest in a Toronto casino.