Vancouver City Council has decided to carry out a revision exercise on the present ban on opening the doors to more gambling options about two brick and mortar casinos in the city.
The council has been asked by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation to alter the current system and provide the option for setting up more table games and slot machines at Parq Casino Vancouver, as well as Hastings Racecourse and Casino. The corporation believes the casinos have ample space to accommodate the addons.
Very recently, the Standing Committee on Policy and Strategic Policies looked closely into various angles suggesting doing away with the ban, which was enforced way back in 2011.
BCLC informed Canadian Gaming Business that the council was in favor of accepting applications to alter the present system related to lotteries related to the gaming venues that are currently in place.
The vote on the matter comes under Section 18 (1) of the Gaming Control Act, which will now be altered. It will be mandatory for casinos to divulge the security issues and their present conditions.
BCLC will connect with the City of Vancouver and its partners regarding viable suggestions for furthering gambling options at the two properties. The public will also be involved in the process.
The revisions made will only be for the present casinos. For any additional casino, the ban will remain in place.
Parq is known to have 600 slot machines and 61 table games, whereas Hastings comes with 446 slot machines.
According to BCLC’s calculations, the two casinos will be instrumental in fetching the government between $2.6 million and $5 million.
As per the B.C. rules, the municipal governments receive 10% of the total revenue generation in their territories every year. Parq pitched in $ 6 million, whereas Hastings managed $1 million in 2022-23.
Ever since the ban was put in place, the city witnessed an enormous increase in gambling business.
Parq Vancouver was established in 2017.
In the case of Hastings, the owner is Great Canadian Entertainment, which also runs the business.
