OTTAWA, Ont. – A city committee has voted in favour of council pushing for a casino in the capital, after a five hour meeting and almost 30 public delegations ay City Hall Tuesday night.

About 200 people packed into council chambers for the Finance and Economic Development Committee, as it weighed the pros and cons of a new gaming facility.

An overwhelming number of people who spoke before the committee spoke passionately against the idea of casino. Many of the testimonies criticized the city for rushing through the public consultation process.

Glebe resident Diane McIntyre said a casino may beef up the city’s pocket book but argued it could create gambling addiction and increased crime.

“I support a push for a casino,” said Gerry LePage of the Bank Street BIA. LePage said it makes sense for the city to endorse a casino downtown because gamblers are already heading across the river to spend money at Casino du Lac Leamy. “When they come back to Ontario, we’re not getting any money from the Quebec government to treat these people, especially those individuals that are pre-disposed to having addictive behaviour.”

LePage said right now the capital is in the “worst possible scenario” and said the city needs to repatriate its dollars.

After listening to so many concerned residents, some councillors like Diane Deans said they couldn’t vote for the motion.

The Gloucester-Southgate Councillor said she couldn’t support the idea of a casino without more information. “We’re preying on the most vulnerable of our citizens,” she told the other councillors, referring to problem gamblers.

“We have to take that first step,” said Mayor Jim Watson after the motion passed. “If we didn’t take that first step, then we’re out of the game altogether.”

Watson said it would have been “irresponsible” to call the discussion off so early.

City council will have to decide whether or not it will accept the committee’s recommendation and open the bidding process for a casino next week. casino next week.