Niagara Falls' next mayor wants residents consulted on Ford's casino plan

Mayor-elect Lori Lococo, who beat 16-year incumbent Jim Diodati on Oct 26, says Premier Doug Ford should ask residents about more casinos in the region. She says she is not asking for a referendum.

Niagara, Ontario

Ontario has given casino operators until Dec 3 to show interest in up to three new casinos in Niagara, and has cut the gambling tax rate for operators.

Residents' concerns, per Lococo

• Falling revenues at existing casinos
• Job losses
• Online gambling debt among young people
• Infrastructure and traffic

Lococo says residents worry about falling casino revenues, job losses, online gambling debt among young people and traffic.

I don't think that people really want to be considered a gaming city.

— Lori Lococo, Niagara Falls mayor-elect