Vancouver is hoping the Union of B.C. Municipalities can help them put pressure on cleaning up crime in casinos.
Coming off the rejection of the planned Edgewater Casino expansion at B.C. Place, Vancouver councillors have drafted a resolution for this week’s UBCM annual convention aimed to “restore public confidence in the integrity of the gaming system.”
Vancouver asked the UBCM to endorse separating the Gaming Policy Enforcement Branch and the B.C. Lottery Corporation into different ministries, conduct a review of public gaming, and review the province’s obligation to charities for gaming revenue.
Coun. Geoff Meggs said the casino issues before the UBCM were all concerns brought up in council chambers by the public and experts when the Edgewater Casino expansion plans were being debated.
“Our council heard the public loud and clear. Even BCLC’s polling showed public confidence in casinos was dropping,” Meggs said.
He added there is an “inherent conflict of interest” when the same ministry is in charge of game enforcement and maximizing revenues and the issue needs to be addressed.
The city ended up rejecting the expansion plans due to the concerns and outspoken public opposition, but have left the door open for the Edgewater Casino to move to the B.C. Place lands in its current size.
Creating a plan for the transfer is “actively ongoing” within BCLC, Meggs said.
Local news from metronews.ca/vancouver
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