Paying that amount could end up raising local taxes. Photo by Dan Janisse / Windsor StarĪs the opt-out period ends for the largest class-action suit ever facing Windsor and Tecumseh at possibly $80-plus million including interest - the deadline is Sunday - stakes remain high. 25, 2016, which is part of the City of Windsor and Town of Tecumseh’s campaign to urge local charities to opt out of a class-action lawsuit involving bingo fees. A billboard is shown on University AvenueWest in Windsor, Ont., on Jan. Local taxes would likely rise to cover that amount, given $80 million is 20 per cent of Windsor’s annual tax levy.
The suit amounts to an estimated $70 million for Windsor and $7 million for Tecumseh, plus interest for the period the lawsuit covers, meaning it could amount to significantly more. They charged three per cent at every bingo session, dating back to 1993. During the heady days of jackpots in an industry flush with cash, everyone wanted a piece of the action - the city included.īut did the city want too much? A massive, eight-year-old lawsuit may soon decide just that.Īt issue is whether the city and the Town of Tecumseh charged more than what it cost to administer charity bingo licences - in essence creating an illegal tax.
