Ottawa City council will consider backing an application by the Rideau Carleton Raceway to introduce to add blackjack and other table games to its racing and slot machine offerings. Expanded gaming would allow Ottawa to compete with Gatineau’s Casino du Lac Leamy, Mayor Jim Watson said.

Since the introduction of slot machines in 2000, and over $4.4 million last year, the Rideau-Carleton Raceway has contributed over $37 million to the City. To ask for the city’s support in applying to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. For a two-year pilot project to add gaming tables to its other gambling options, such as the slot machines introduced in 2000, Raceway representatives visited the Mayor a few months ago.

Council will debate a motion to be moved by Osgoode Councillor Doug Thompson to formally “support in principle” the Rideau Carleton Raceway’s petition to the Ontario government for gaming tables, at its next meeting in March.

Residents and organizations will not be allowed to speak publicly to Councillors during an official meeting on whether they support a full on casino in Ottawa because the motion will be brought directly to council. Public delegations are only allowed at committee meetings.

As gaming tables could add $2 million a year to the city’s coffers, in addition to the $4 million plus raised by the slot machines, Mayor Watson supports the motion. On Wednesday, the mayor told reporters that the public will be able to speak to the issue if the application to the province is successful because the raceway will have to apply to the planning committee for a re zoning.