Last year, the owners of casinos in British Columbia did something that was unthinkable. The number of competing rivals came together, forming the BC Gaming Industry Association (BCIGA), which had its first official meeting in November. After their success in teaming up with the British Columbia Lottery Corp (BCLC), they are now working to promote BC casinos and the expansion of these to the central government and the public.
The BCLC has expressed concerns that the province’s gambling industry is aging. Millennials – young gamblers aged 35 and under – simply aren’t interested in the traditional ways of casino gambling that are currently available at BC casinos and charitable gaming organizations.
However, on the other hand, many of the communities in British Columbia have been resistant to any form of casino or gambling expansion. In 2001, BC Liberals promised that they would not expand gambling, and 15 years later, it seems that the local communities are honoring that agreement.
The BCGIA and BCLC are hoping to change what they think are outdated views of government representatives and anti-gambling expansionists. They are ready to roll out a campaign to promote BC casinos in hopes of convincing the public that expansion is the key to continued revenue for the government, as well as local community organizations who benefit from gaming dollars.
In 2013, Gateway lobbied for a casino expansion in South Surrey. With heavy opposition from the public, the project was eventually derailed by a 5-4 vote on the city council.
The BCGIA is hoping for more amiable outcomes in the future, especially with the fact that Linda Hepner, one of the 4 council members who voted in favor of the expansion plan three years ago, has since been promoted to Mayor.
Improving Provincial/Public Opinion Key
Ernest Yee, Executive Director for the BC casinos group, provided an emailed statement to the press confirming their intentions. “BCGIA seeks to enhance relationships, education and advocacy on behalf of private-sector gaming operators in B.C. by connecting the gaming industry with community stakeholders, government, media and the public.”
The BCGIA’s board is made up of multiple heads and activists within the province’s gambling industry. Shiera Stuart, the in-house lobbyist for the Gateway Casinos & Entertainment, serves as Chair of the BCGIA. Chuck Keeling, Vice President of Great Canadian Gaming, holds the position of Vice Chairman.
Other members of the board include Jennifer Fields, General Manager and Vice President of Edgewater Casino, three representatives from Chances gaming facilities and the heads of several other smaller gaming establishments throughout British Columbia.
All told, the BCGIA website reports that it is made up of 13 gaming companies who collectively operate “38 properties across the province that include casinos, community gaming centres, bingo, and horse racing, as well as non-gaming amenities such as theatres, hotels, conference centres, and food and beverage facilities.”
In the 2014-15 fiscal year, the group says those properties “generated over $1.7 billion in gaming revenue for BC Lottery Corporation.”
BC casino representatives estimate that more than $1.1 billion of that – approximately two-thirds – was handed directly to the provincial government by the BCLC, making it “one of the highest returns to government in North America.”
Provincial law requires all gambling establishments to filter 10% of net proceeds back to their local government, which provided municipalities with $96 million in the 2014-15 fiscal year. Another $138.4 million was spread across 5,000 charity and community organizations.