Gambling heavyweight MGM Resorts has thrown its name into Toronto's casino debate, expressing interest in investing in a glamorous resort akin to its numerous Las Vegas casinos.
Alan Feldman, senior vice-president of public affairs for MGM Resorts International, confirmed the company's interest in opening a massive entertainment complex in the city.
"Your fair city is, in my humble opinion, one of the most spectacular cities in the world," Feldman told CTVToronto.ca in a telephone interview from Tokyo, Japan.
"Toronto has enormous appeal in terms of its cultural diversity, in terms of its entertainment diversity, its physical attributes. It is an incredibly beautiful city; its location along the water gives it added appeal. It also has a great tourism infrastructure.
"There is enormous opportunity in Toronto to do something that is truly spectacular."
Feldman said the company envisioned a "destination resort" that featured a casino as well as hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, spas and convention space.
He said they would not be interested in a smaller project, such as adding card tables to the slot machines currently at Woodbine racetrack.
MGM operates some of Las Vegas' most popular attractions, including the MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and the Bellagio.
It also owns the MGM Grand in Detroit, just kilometres from the Ontario border.
Feldman said casinos play a key role in MGM resorts. But about 65 per cent of revenue comes from outside the casino, he said.
"In our model, casinos are a means unto the end. They are not the end themselves. If that is the kind of conversation that the councillors are willing to have … we'd love to participate," Feldman said.
"If all that is wanted is a casino there are plenty of other companies that will do that. We are really trying to have a conversation about something that is much more than that."
While Feldman said he would leave it up to local politicians to decide the right location for a casino, a waterfront destination such as Ontario Place has a distinct appeal to the hospitality industry.
"As a developer of hotels and convention spaces… the closer you are to the water the better. Being on it is best. The further away you go, the appeal begins to drop a bit," he said.
MGM has hired local firm Sussex Strategy Group to help lobby support at city hall.
According to the City of Toronto's lobbyist registrar's office, Sussex Strategy Group registered to lobby on MGM's behalf on April 4 and has met with several councillors and members of the Mayor's office.
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says he is willing to listen to the company and consider a plan for a downtown resort.
"I'll meet with anyone. I'm a businessman," Ford told reporters on Tuesday. "If people want to come to the city and create jobs, I'll be the first one to sit down at the table with them."
The company's interest comes as Toronto debates the merits of allowing a casino within city limits, an idea that has divided city council.
The provincial government has already supported a downtown Toronto casino and says it could bring in $4 billion annually and create 4,000 new jobs.
Premier Dalton McGuinty said he has not personally spoken to anyone at MGM about their interest in a Toronto casino.
"I would not be surprised were we to have interest from companies based in North America and Europe who have an interest in developing a gambling establishment here in Ontario," he said during a public appearance on Tuesday.
