Vancouver to consider loosening moratorium on gambling expansions
A long-standing freeze on the number of gambling tables and machines allowed in Vancouver could be relaxed on behalf of the Parq Casino and Hastings Racecourse.
A staff report going before city council next week recommends loosening a moratorium on new or expanded gambling venues that's been in place since 2011.
The recommendation was prompted by "recent interest" from the B.C. Lottery Corporation in bringing more betting capacity to the Parq and Racecourse, according to the report.
Under the existing moratorium, the city cannot accept an application from the BCLC for the expansions – but the staff report recommends an amendment that would allow such proposals to be explored before councillors ultimately decide whether to approve or reject them.
"This approach aims to ensure council decisions are informed by sufficient detail to assess the impacts of expanding gambling at existing facilities … while keeping other elements of the moratorium intact," the report reads.
Applications for new casinos or other gambling venues would still be prohibited.
The Parq and Hastings Racecourse are currently the only two gambling venues in Vancouver, and contributed about $7.2 million in combined revenue to the city in the 2022-23 fiscal year, most of which came from the casino.
There are currently 600 slot machines and 61 gambling tables at the Parq, plus another 446 slot machines at Hastings Racecourse.
The scope of the expansion sought by the BCLC "has yet to be confirmed," according to the report, but the Crown corporation expects a bump in revenue if the application is allowed and subsequently approved.
"BCLC has projected the host local government share of potential increased revenues to be in the range of $2.6 million to $5 million," the report reads.
Staff acknowledged "known health and safety concerns" associated with gambling addictions – and even casino operations themselves, "at times" – but said Vancouver Coastal Health and the Vancouver Police Department would advise on any applications to increase betting capacity in the city.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Wildfires are dampening against cool, rainy weather, but there's plenty left to contain
An opportune system of cool, wet weather Friday is dampening the spread of wildfires across Western Canada, but there's still plenty of work for responders and residents alike.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.