By Janis Warren The Tri-City NewsOct 15 2006 Tri City News
A group looking to promote responsible gambling in B.C. wants the city of Coquitlam to sign on. But some councillors say they want to see a business plan in place, including an outline of annual costs, before council commits. Tuesday, Greg Walker of the BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) told council about the benefits of joining the BC Partnership for Responsible Gambling (BCPRG), an organization set up by the Ministry of Solicitor General and BCLC that is active in Richmond and Vancouver. Coquitlam was approached as it is home to the Boulevard Casino and receives a 10% share of the venue’s net proceeds every quarter. Some of the group’s “prevention” programs now underway in Richmond and Vancouver include a Responsible Play Information Centre in casinos and theatre productions in schools aimed at teaching kids about the dangers of gambling. The aim of the partnership, Walker said, is to share information between government, gaming service providers, host municipalities, counsellors, researchers, players and others about ways to reduce problem gambling, and to reduce harmful impacts of excessive gambling. That way, he said, communities can create tailor-made programs for local residents. “The best solution is by working together towards shared action,” Walker said. Currently, counselling for gambling addicts in Coquitlam is done at Share Family and Community Services. Walker noted no funding has been identified to date for the partnership, although Richmond and Vancouver have each kicked in $25,000 for their pilot programs. Coquitlam Coun. Brent Asmundson told Walker he wouldn’t support the proposal to join the partnership because he believes it’s provincial downloading. “Coquitlam gets 10% [of the casino’s net revenues], the province gets 70%. You are taking the lion’s share of the money,” he said at Tuesday’s committee of the whole. “I’m not really excited about joining something where the process and the money haven’t been sorted out,” Coun. Mae Reid added. “I would like to get the ducks in a row before we do anything.” Council will discuss the proposed partnership later this month.
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Don Quixote: 'Don't buy a pig in a poke' :An offering or deal that is foolishly accepted without being examined first.
A group looking to promote responsible gambling in B.C. wants the city of Coquitlam to sign on. But some councillors say they want to see a business plan in place, including an outline of annual costs, before council commits. Tuesday, Greg Walker of the BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) told council about the benefits of joining the BC Partnership for Responsible Gambling (BCPRG), an organization set up by the Ministry of Solicitor General and BCLC that is active in Richmond and Vancouver. Coquitlam was approached as it is home to the Boulevard Casino and receives a 10% share of the venue’s net proceeds every quarter. Some of the group’s “prevention” programs now underway in Richmond and Vancouver include a Responsible Play Information Centre in casinos and theatre productions in schools aimed at teaching kids about the dangers of gambling. The aim of the partnership, Walker said, is to share information between government, gaming service providers, host municipalities, counsellors, researchers, players and others about ways to reduce problem gambling, and to reduce harmful impacts of excessive gambling. That way, he said, communities can create tailor-made programs for local residents. “The best solution is by working together towards shared action,” Walker said. Currently, counselling for gambling addicts in Coquitlam is done at Share Family and Community Services. Walker noted no funding has been identified to date for the partnership, although Richmond and Vancouver have each kicked in $25,000 for their pilot programs. Coquitlam Coun. Brent Asmundson told Walker he wouldn’t support the proposal to join the partnership because he believes it’s provincial downloading. “Coquitlam gets 10% [of the casino’s net revenues], the province gets 70%. You are taking the lion’s share of the money,” he said at Tuesday’s committee of the whole. “I’m not really excited about joining something where the process and the money haven’t been sorted out,” Coun. Mae Reid added. “I would like to get the ducks in a row before we do anything.” Council will discuss the proposed partnership later this month.
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Don Quixote: 'Don't buy a pig in a poke' :An offering or deal that is foolishly accepted without being examined first.
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