Ottawa's slots payout dropped $580K during lockout

It would appear the five-month labour disputeat theRideauCarleton Raceway OLG Slotscaused a steep decline in the City of Ottawa's fortunes.

The city's revenue from the gaming operation at the raceway dropped bymore than a half-million dollars since the lockout of workers there began, according to figures just released by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.

• 5-month lockout at Rideau Carleton Raceway will end in binding arbitration
• OLG payment to city coffers falls during racetrack labour dispute

OLG's most recent quarterly payment to the city for hosting the slots was $1.4 million, down about $350,000 from the same period last year.

Add losses since the lockout began before Christmas, and the city is out about $580,000.

Some 124 casino workers hit the picket lines in December, but returned to work after agreeing to binding arbitration in late May. The slotsoperatedon reduced hours during the lockout, but returned to round-the-clock operationJune 6.

The city earns on average $5 million annually from the casino at the raceway. Quarterly earnings are far higher in the spring and summer than they are in the winter months.

While that revenue may seem small relative to the municipality's$3-billion budget, the citystill counts on the income to cover such costs as upgrading parks facilities.