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BC Casino Funding Flagged

Posted on January 14th, 2011

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“The whole point for expanding gaming, and the whole permission British Columbia’s gave to government for expanding gaming was premised on the belief that more would go to charities, when in fact that has not been the case under this government.” said Spencer Chandra Herbert, the youngest member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, in a press conference. Herbert says that the British Columbia-New Democratic Party appeals to the government for those funds to be used where they belong instead of the revenue being used for show lounges, private car parks and casino gaming floors. Herbert’s recent declaration was made in connection to The Vancouver Sun’s story that the government is subsidizing the construction of a mega casino.

“British Columbians were told the proposed Edgewater casino expansion would pay for the $563 million B.C. Place roof project, but we now have to wonder if the public will actually be paying for the casino.The B.C. Liberals must tell the people of B.C. how much government revenue the proposed expanded Edgewater casino is eligible for, and justify why public money should be used to subsidize well-established private companies that are generating hundreds of millions in profits every year.” Herbert said. Th the Sun ran a story that goes that since 1997, B.C Lottery Corporation has been paying casino operators in the area through gambling revenues to help recover their losses. These payments termed as facility development commissions (FDC) make up three percent of a casino’s “net win”. These payments are then made according to a casino’s gains. According to the Vancouver Sun, the exact amount of FDC already paid is $400,101,352.55. The pay out is made annually.

9000 B.C residents have already signed a petition complaining that the charities are robbed of what is rightfully theirs by the provincial government. They say that this is a clear case of malversation of public funds involving gambling revenues, and that the government should hold out on making decisions on the construction and expansion plans of Edgewater Casino until these allegations are cleared. According to reports, The government of British Columbia has pledged to allot one third of the gambling proceeds to non profits organizations and community groups, but the agreed amount was reduced just this year to 10 percent. “We have an agreement…that makes people feel good about gaming because they feel they’re supporting the charities. The problem is we have an agreement that the government isn’t living up to.” says B.C. Association for Charitable Gambling, President Susan Marsden.

The Edgewater Casino has proposals for the construction and to expansion of its gaming complex to make way for 1,500 slots and 150 tables. It currently has just 493 video lottery terminals and 65 gaming tables. The expansion, valued at around $450 million will also include a cabaret, a theater, and two hotels. “I think these people have some valid criticisms, I think city hall should get a meeting of the provincial government with these organizations so that it can be resolved before it has to come before city council.” says Councillor Ellen Woodsworth, concerning the charities. One of the organizations that would feel the direct impact of the budget cuts is Project Literacy, a one on one reading program for adults who experience problems in reading and writing.

Barb Hagan, Executive Director of Community Non-Profit, is concerned about the effects of the cuts as it would clearly impact the number of people they would be able to employ thus severely affecting the group’s manpower and limiting the services they bring to those in need. She said that while the need for their services increase, their budgets are on a downward spiral. She also adds that the $65,000 cut Project Literacy will suffer is enough to have helped 600 people. In turn she worries that those 600 will not be able to get jobs due to the project’s present condition. In this note, BCAG’s Susan Marsden calls that all gaming applications be stopped until the government honors their previous commitment to 6,800 charities in the province.