By Jennifer Smithstaff reporter Jul 15 2007 http://www.kelownacapnews.com/
Casino revenues are up 11 per cent this year, according to figures released by the B.C. Lottery Commission. And $76.1 million of the money generated through gambling is returned directly to the municipalities that host gaming operations. In Kelowna, the money is set aside each year for policing costs and now makes up a significant portion of the local force’s budget. “One of the rules up front when they created this opportunity is that if they ever decide to collapse the program, they have the right to come in and scoop whatever money you may have had at any one time in the bank,” said Paul Macklem, city finance director. “So we spend it as fast as we get it and apply it to the next RCMP billing.”
All told, Kelowna should receive approximately $3.6 million this year—a sizable chunk of the $15 million RCMP operating costs. Asked if the city has come to depend on the money, Macklem said yes, but noted he’s seen no indication the fund will dry up any time soon. “If you look at it as what an RCMP member costs the city, that’s somewhere around $104,000 each,” he said. "For $3.6 million, that’s a lot of officers.” Kelowna’s casino industry is among the top revenue generators in B.C. The biggest community gaming centres in B.C. are Chances in Dawson Creek with 142 slot machines, Chances in Williams Lake with 100, followed by Chances in Cowichan and Chances in Kelowna with 75 machines each.
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