BCLC predicted smoking ban would lead to drop at bingo halls

Written by MARK NIELSEN Citizen staff Thursday, 31 July 2008

The effect of the ban on smoking in public on the bottom line of the Chances Good Time Gaming Centre comes as no surprise to the B.C. Lottery Corporation. BCLC spokesperson Greg Walker said John Major's claim that revenue has fallen 20 to 25 per cent falls in line with what was expected as a result of the regulation, which came into effect on March 31, just four days after the gaming centre was opened. "The corporation estimated that, particularly for bingo, we could be facing declines of up to 25 per cent, that was our projection," Walker said, adding similar-sized drops were recorded at bingo halls in other provinces when the ban was introduced.

The BCLC has given support in principle to Major's proposal to move the bingo operation to Treasure Cove casino and sell the gaming centre building at Seventh Avenue and Quebec Street to someone else. Major has said there's a chance it will be converted into a mini-mall. The decline is not the only reason BCLC is backing Major's request, which must win approval from city council before it can be acted upon. Improved efficiency, more effective marketing and additional room for parking are some of the advantages of moving to the casino, said Walker. The situation in Prince George is unique, where we have one business partner providing the full-service casino and the community gaming centre,," he noted. The old Good Time Bingo Hall was the second-largest revenue generator for the game among the 27 halls in B.C., bringing in $14.9 million in 2007-08 behind only Planet Bingo in Vancouver, which reaped $16.6 million.

At 660 seats, the new gaming centre holds the same number as the old Good Time Bingo Hall did, with 300 touch-screen bingo terminals and 360 paper bingo seats, but the new location also holds slot machines and is about 50 per cent larger. BCLC has been in the process of upgrading bingo halls around the province to gaming centres to help revitalize interest in the game. If not for such moves the drop in interest as a result of the ban on smoking would have been even higher, Walker maintained.

While BCLC is reponsible for operation and maintenance of the equipment, the service provider is responsible for the operation of the venue and receives a percentage of the revenue in return. In 2006-07, Major's Good Time Bingo Hall Inc. received $2.15 million according to BCLC's audited financial statement, while $14.2 million in revenue was generated.