Much of the pro-casino councilors supported the proposal to build a mega casino in downtown Toronto based on arguments for economic development in the tourism sector, not to mention job creation. However, little attention was given to the type of employment a casino will create and its impacts on the service industry. The fact that women still cluster in lower paid jobs than men, especially in the service sector, was absent from the discussion.

Traditionally, men have been portrayed as gamblers and casino goers. Little research has been done about the changing patterns in gambling. According to Boughton and Falenchuk (2007), 1/3 of problem gamblers are now women, who are found to have a more rapid progression into problem gambling than men. Furthermore, women who reported their partners have gambling problems were significantly more likely to have been the victims of intimate partner violence. Some survey data suggests a rise in intimate partner violence associated with the establishment of new casinos in local communities Korman et al (2008).

Council voted 38-6, ending the year-long debate. Even with the Rob Ford latest media frenzy this week, we at least have a small victory to celebrate. To have a casino in Toronto would mean gambling with women’s safety. We hope this proposal never sees it’s way back to City Hall.