By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - June 24, 2008
Restricting the number of slot machines in Vernon won’t derail construction of a new casino. On Monday, city council gave three readings to a bylaw that would limit the number of slot machines in Vernon to 300, although Lake City Casino has plans for 400 machines at its Anderson Way outlet which is under construction. “At this stage, there are no plans to put anything on hold. We will work with the B.C. Lottery Corporation and the city to see how this is resolved,” said Steve Kumpf, Lake City Casino’s vice-president of operations.Kumpf says he is disappointed with the actions of council. “We went through public open houses and a public hearing and we disclosed that we planned for 400 machines.” Kumpf isn’t sure if the new casino will continue to have 400 slot machines or if there will be 300. “B.C. Lotteries manages gaming and owns the machines. That decision will rest with them,” he said. But Kumpf insists that any reduction in slot machines could negatively impact the viability of the new casino.“We were relying on 400,” he said. It’s believed that the possible limit on slot machines is an attempt by the city to pressure Lake City Casino for money for a social responsibility fund. But Kumpf says that won’t happen. “The funding of responsible gambling comes from the province.” City officials insist that Lake City Casino can still proceed with 400 slot machines even if the proposed bylaw is ratified because 400 machines were shown on designs. But the operation would be a non-conforming use.
B.C. Lottery Corporation representatives, though, want a guarantee. “In light of the city’s consideration of an amendment to zoning bylaw 5000 to establish a limit on the number of slot machines at 300, BCLC is requesting a letter confirming the city’s position as expressed to the city by a media representative, which provides explicit approval to BCLC to redevelop the Vernon casino based on a proposal that included 400 slot machines at the facility,” states Darrel Schiewe, vice-president of gaming, in a letter to council. Coun. Barry Beardsell has pushed for the limit on slot machines, claiming that gambling has a significant negative impact on families, individuals and the community. He also wants assurances that the 300 slot machines would be restricted to just one site in Vernon. “If they’re at one location, it’s easier to monitor and come to grips with problem gamblers.” Opposition to the limit on slot machines came from Councillors Jack Gilroy and Patrick Nicol. “They built their business plan on 400 and we need to honour that,” said Nicol.A public hearing on the proposed bylaw to restrict the number of slot machines in Vernon will be held July 14.
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