Item - 2026.EP23.5

Tracking Status

This item will be considered by Exhibition Place on June 18, 2026.

EP23.5 - Exhibition Place Position on New Requests for Casino License

Consideration Type:: ACTION

Ward:: 10 - Spadina - Fort York

Origin

(June 4, 2026) Report from the Chief Executive Officer, Exhibition Place

Recommendations

The Chief Executive Officer, Exhibition Place, recommends that the Board of Governors of Exhibition Place:

1. Grandfather the historical temporary casino operated by the Canadian National Exhibition Association (CNEA) during the annual fair.

2. Direct the Chief Executive Officer to bring any new requests for casino licenses at Exhibition Place to the Board for approval.

Summary

This report outlines Exhibition Place’s present casino activities. The report also provides public health evidence regarding the social and health impacts associated with gambling expansion in Toronto.

Exhibition Place recognizes the historical temporary casino operated by the Canadian National Exhibition Association (CNEA) during the annual fair and proposes that this be grandfathered in.

While the City of Toronto does not have a formal policy position on temporary charitable casino operations, City Council and Toronto Public Health have a documented history of opposing the establishment or expansion of permanent casinos in Toronto.

Financial Impact

There are no financial impacts to this report.

Background Information

(June 4, 2026) Report from the Chief Executive Officer, Exhibition Place, on Exhibition Place Position on New Requests for Casino License
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2026/ep/bgrd/backgroundfile-287747.pdf