Bingo Task Force Terms of Reference

The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee recommends the adoption of the Recommendations of the Emergency and Protective Services Committee, embodied in the communication (March 23, 1999) from the City Clerk, subject to amending Recommendation No. (2) embodied in the joint report (March 8, 1999) from the City Clerk and the City Solicitor to provide that funds in the amount of $10,000.00 be provided to the Bingo Task Force; and that such funds be drawn from the Corporate Contingency Account.

The Straregic Policies and Priorities Committee submits the following communication (March30, 1999) from the City Clerk:

Recommendations:

The Budget Committee on March 29, 1999, recommended to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, and Council:

(1)that the Terms of Reference for the Bingo Task Force, as amended by the Emergency and Protective Services Committee at its meeting on March 23, 1999, be forwarded to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, and Council, for consideration; and

(2)that the joint report (March 8, 1999) from the City Clerk and the City Solicitor, be amended by striking out Recommendation No. (2) and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

"(2)That no additional funding be allocated to the 1999 Clerk's Operating budget to cover the Bingo Task Force expenses."

Background:

The Budget Committee had before it a report (March 23, 1999) from the City Clerk, advising that the Emergency and Protective Services Committee on March 23, 1999, recommended to the Budget Committee the adoption of Recommendation No. (2), which reads: "That $20,000.00 be added to the 1999 Clerks Operating budget to cover the Bingo Task Force expenses." of the joint report dated March 8, 1999, from the City Clerk and City Solicitor; and that the Terms of Reference for the Bingo Task Force be forwarded to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, and Council, for consideration.

(Communication dated March 23, 1999, addressed to the

Budget Committee from the City Clerk)

Recommendation:

The Emergency and Protective Services Committee on March 23, 1999, recommended to the Budget Committee the adoption of the attached joint report dated March 8, 1999, from the City Clerk and City Solicitor respecting the Terms of Reference for the Bingo Task Force, subject to the following amendments to the joint report:

(a)amending the objectives of the Bingo Task Force, under the heading "Task Force Mandate," to read as follows:

"(1)To establish principles for the location of bingo halls within the City of Toronto.

(2)To establish policies that will provide charitable non-profit organizations with access to bingo revenue.

(3)To provide access to people who want to play bingo.

(4)To establish locational policies to ensure equitable distribution of bingo halls across the City.

(5)To establish administrative processes and procedures to support recommended policies and procedures.

(6)To develop a broad based consensus of public and political support for these bingo initiatives.

(7)To review, in addition to provincial requirements, possible additional City of Toronto criteria for access to bingo revenue within the City of Toronto.";

(b)amending the composition of the Bingo Task Force, under the heading "Membership Selection," as follows:

-Councillor Frances Nunziata, Chairperson;

-Councillor George Mammoliti, North York Community Council;

-Councillor Michael Prue, East York Community Council;

-Provincial representative from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO):

-Janet Feasby, Manager Gaming Policy;

-Provincial Bingo Charitable Activities Association (PBCAA):

-Lynne Cassidy, Executive Director;

-Representatives from charitable, non-profit organizations:

-Michael Stacey, York Bingo Association;

-Mary Wilton, Sport for Disabled Ontario;

-Barbara Morrow, Ontario Water Polo Association;

-Representative from the Canadian Foundation on Compulsive Gambling:

-Morri Bhermann, Director of Information Services;

-Representative from the Registered Gaming Supplier of Ontario (RGSO);

-Jack Weinstock, bingo hall owner;

-Representative from Business Improvement Areas:

-Barry Lowe, business person;

-Representative from the Ratepayers:

-Fulvio Sansone;

-Internal staff:

-Glenn Vollebregt, Director, Legislative Services;

-Irvin Shachter, Legal Counsel;

-Planning and Development representative;

-Transportation representative;

-Information Technology representative; and

-Grants Division representative; and

(c)amending No. (5) under the heading "Internal Staffing and Resources" to read as follows:

"(5)Clerk's Legislative Services Unit."

(Joint Report dated March 8, 1999, addressed to the

Emergency and Protective Services Committee from

the City Clerk and City Solicitor)

Purpose:

The purpose of this report is to present Terms of Reference for the Bingo Task Force as directed by Council at the meeting held on December 16 and 17, 1998.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statements:

The Task Force will require sufficient resources to cover meeting expenses including printing and mailings, advertising of public consultation meetings, and preparation of a final report.

Staffing requirements will be accommodated from within the budgets of the departments supporting the Task Force, however, the Task Force will require the addition of $20,000.00 to the 1999 Clerk's Operating Budget to cover the above-noted expenses (see Appendix 1).

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)the Bingo Task Force Terms of Reference, as outlined in this report, be approved;

(2)$20,000.00 be added to the 1999 Clerk's Operating Budget to cover the Bingo Task Force expenses; and

(3)the appropriate City officials be authorized to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Council Reference:

At its meeting of December 16 and 17, 1998, City Council adopted the Emergency and Protective Services Committee recommendation that a task force chaired by Councillor Frances Nunziata, York Humber, be established with a mandate to report back to the Emergency and Protective Services Committee within six months on a City-wide bingo hall policy; and that Councillor George Mammoliti, North York Humber, also be appointed to the task force.

Background/History:

The Province of Ontario has the largest bingo industry in North America. It is estimated that in Ontario, the total monies wagered in charitable gaming is approximately $2 billion annually, of which $1.2 billion is wagered in bingo alone. There are 18 bingo halls in the City of Toronto. On any one given day or night approximately 4,500 patrons attend the 18 bingo halls to play bingo. Bingo players attend a particular bingo hall for different reasons; to support a particular sponsor organization; the halls provide better non-smoking rooms; to socialize with friends; the superjackpot is higher than at other halls, to name a few.

More than 160,000 people play bingo in the City of Toronto, spending an average of $40.00 to $50.00 dollars each time they play; $22.00 (bingo) $6.00 (superjackpot) $5.00 (break-open-tickets) $6.00 (superstar) and $8.00 (snackbar). Means of travel to bingo halls in Toronto is 75 percent by car, 19percent public transit and 6 percent walk or take a taxi.

Bingo issues are important to bingo players, sponsor charities, hall owners and the people who live in Toronto. They are concerned with all aspects of bingo issues such as the locations of halls within their communities; hours of operation of the halls; impact of parking and traffic flow on their neighbourhoods and the level of services provided by the charitable and non-profit organizations.

The 600 charitable and non-profit organizations raising funds through bingo within the 18 bingo halls range from seniors, arts, cultural, sports, health, education and religious groups. The City of Toronto currently has a waiting list of over 120 organizations which have been displaced due to several bingo hall closures in the past two years. The most recent hall closed in August 1998. There are other organizations, which have not had the opportunity to access the bingo marketplace.

Over $10 million (net) annually are raised through bingo events by these organizations. The dollars raised provide health, education, sports, housing, equipment for special needs and social assistance services to our communities. This allows the organizations to be more self-sufficient and are, therefore, not relying on the City's grant program.

The City of Toronto raises approximately $4.5 million annually in lottery licensing revenues. Bingo licensing revenues alone account for approximately $3.3 million of the $4.5 million it receives in lottery revenues.

As a regulator of gaming, the City of Toronto is committed to take a lead role to ensure that the bingo industry remains a growing, viable industry. Growth and viability of the bingo industry provide charitable and non-profit organizations the vehicle to generate bingo revenues so that they can continue to deliver their valuable and worthwhile services to the general public of this great City. The City of Toronto is committed to working with all the stakeholders within the bingo industry to ensure that we foster the growth and viability of bingo. The charitable and non-profit organizations look to the regulators for direction, leadership, assistance and guidance.

The formation of the Bingo Task Force presents a unique opportunity for the City of Toronto to take the lead to develop a shared vision for the viability and growth of the bingo industry into the millenium and beyond.

Task Force Mandate:

The objectives of the Bingo Task Force are:

(1)to establish guiding principles, objectives, targets and recommendations for the viability and growth of bingo;

(2)to establish strategies and policies that will provide access to the bingo gaming marketplace for all charitable and non-profit organizations wishing to conduct bingo events within the City of Toronto; and at the same time provide access to bingo player consumers wanting to play bingo and support their local charitable and non-profit organizations within their own community;

(3)to establish strategies and policies that will distribute future new bingo halls and relocations of existing bingo halls evenly among communities within the City of Toronto;

(4)to explore the options of establishing a charitable foundation, within the bingo industry, in the City of Toronto, which would operate similar to a grant program for the benefit of charitable and non-profit organizations not able to access the bingo marketplace;

(5)to establish administrative processes and procedures to support recommended policies and procedures; and

(6)to develop a broad based consensus of public and political support for these bingo initiatives.

The final recommendations will provide general policy direction and specific strategies to make the City of Toronto a leader as a bingo partner and regulator. The Task Force will identify short term and long term actions and initiatives that will improve the viability and potential growth of the bingo industry within the City of Toronto while recognizing the diversity of community interests.

The Task Force will involve citizens and stakeholders in the development of the policies.

Membership Selection:

The Task Force will be composed of City Councillors (three have already indicated their willingness to join the Task Force), any other Councillors who are interested, and citizens representing the bingo industry with knowledge, experience and an interest in bingo. The Task Force will therefore be composed of:

-Councillor Frances Nunziata, as appointed by the Emergency and Protective Services Committee, will chair the Task Force;

-Councillor George Mammoliti; and

-Councillor Michael Prue.

The Chairperson, in consultation with staff and community members, will select appropriate community bingo representatives and submit the proposed names to the Emergency and Protective Services Committee for approval.

-Provincial representative from the Alchohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO);

-Two representatives (one will be an alternate) from the Provincial Bingo, Charitable Activities Association (PBCAA);

-Representatives from charitable, non-profit organizations;

-Representatives from the Canadian Foundation on Compulsive Gambling;

-Representative from the Registered Gaming Suppliers of Ontario (RGSO);

-Representative from Business Improvement Areas;

-Representatives from the Ratepayers; and

-Internal staff.

Internal Staffing and Resources:

Administrative and professional staff will sit on the Task Force. The Director of Legislative Services has been assigned as the staff team leader. In addition, staff will need to be assigned from the following areas:

(1)Legal Services

(2)Planning and Development

(3)Transportation;

(4)Information Technology; and

(5)Clerk's Legislative Services and Secretariat.

Task Force Process and Workplan:

(1)Present the Terms of Reference to the Emergency and Protective Services Committee for approval March 23, 1999.

(2)Staff presentation to the full Bingo Task Force to review the detailed workplan, background overview and a current status of the bingo industry (April).

(3)Staff presentation to the Bingo Task Force of provincial Criteria and Procedures for Establishing Bingo Halls (May):

-Bingo Task Force to review the guiding principles set out in the provincial criteria for the process for establishing new bingo halls; relocation of existing bingo hall and re-opening bingo halls that have closed.

-Bingo Task Force to review and consider location size, smoking by-laws, parking, etc.

-Identify issues and recommendations.

(4)Staff presentation to the Bingo Task Force on the current access status that charitable and non-profit organizations have to the bingo marketplace (June):

-Bingo Task Force to review bingo operations, i.e., number of halls, number of sessions, profit sharing of bingo proceeds.

-Bingo Task Force to review issues and identify recommendations allowing improved access to charitable non-profit organizations into the bingo marketplace.

(5)Staff presentation of the first draft report to the Bingo Task Force (July).

(6)Convene a focus group of politicians, staff, stakeholders and citizens to review all the recommendations of the Bingo Task Force (September).

(7)Staff presentation of final draft based on focus group input to the Bingo Task Force (October).

(8)Bingo Task Force presentation of final report to the Planning and Transportation Committee (November).

(9)Final report to City Council (December).

Contacts:

Glenn Vollebregt, Director of Legislative Services (392-4373)

Teresa Tedesco, Gaming Consultant (392-4382)

John Hollins, Director of Elections (392-8019)

Irvin Shachter, Legal Department(392-1219)

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Appendix 1