KINGSTON, ON -- Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath accused the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation of using "pressure tactics" in its bid to expand the gaming industry.

"I think the most egregious (part) about the situation that cities and towns find themselves in right now with the OLG's modernization plan is that they're backed into a corner," she said in an interview with QMI Agency. "They are being forced to make decisions on OLG timelines as opposed to community timelines."

Horwath blamed the Liberal government of Premier Dalton McGuinty for taking a hands-off approach in dealing with the provincial gaming body.

"I think that is where the Liberals have shown no leadership whatsoever and, in fact, have been allowing the OLG to create havoc in communities across Ontario," said Horwath, who stopped here Friday to to meet with business leaders and supporters.

"It's something that the Liberal government should have been more direct about, and I believe they still can. In fact, I believe the minister should put a directive to the OLG to back off the pressure tactics to give communities the respect they deserve to make those decisions."

During her meeting with residents earlier in the day, Horwath said she heard concerns about the potential negative impact a casino could have on small businesses, should it be built here.

Horwath - who has stated her opposition for a casino in her riding of Hamilton Centre - said she's not convinced expanding the gaming sector is the answer to slashing the province's $13-billion deficit.

"I just don't see it as the panacea," she said. "(Municipalities) are continuing to deal with downloaded services. So municipalities are desperate for revenue sources. (A casino) becomes quite a draw for folks who are looking at the balance sheet. I don't think that's a good place to be."