Slot machines in question

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: September 25, 2008

Actions at city hall have created uncertainty at Vernon’s new casino. Council has adopted a bylaw that would limit the number of slot machines in the community to 300, although plans for the new Lake City Casino outlet, which is under construction, called for 400 machines. B.C. Lottery Corporation, which owns the machines, isn’t sure if it will only install 300 slots or go ahead with 400. “It’s too early to tell,” said Greg Walker, public affairs manager. “It (bylaw) is a new one for us. It’s uncharted waters.” City officials have stated that even with the bylaw in place, Lake City Casino can have 400 machines at its Anderson Way site because they were shown in designs submitted to the city. But the business would be legally non-conforming under bylaw, and Walker says that is a problem for the corporation.“The non-conforming aspect of the bylaw is a challenge for us. BCLC isn’t accustomed to having facilities in a non-conforming use,” he said. “The corporation needs to hear from the city on what their position is and we will review our options from there.”

The city’s goal behind restricting the number of slot machines has been to get money from both Lake City Casino and BCLC for a social responsibility fund. “I’m hoping it (bylaw) will bring BCLC to the table to address some of the concerns in this community,” said Coun. Barry Beardsell of gambling addiction and other issues like O’Keefe Ranch. Beardsell believes the casino has had a negative impact on families and the local economy, claiming that $211 million has been lost by players since 1999. “The amount of money they take out of the community is colossal,” he said.

Lake City Casino has refused to provide assistance for a social responsibility fund, and Coun. Jack Gilroy doesn’t believe the company should. “They did everything right,” said Gilroy of the zoning process for the new casino. “Barry wanted to go a certain way and he got enough councillors to support him. The city should be embarrassed about the situation.” Besides employing local residents, Gilroy points out that the city receives a share of casino revenue and that will decrease if the number of slot machines goes from 400 to 300. “It’s about one or two per cent in taxes we would have got,” he said. Officials with Lake City Casino have referred all questions about the city’s new bylaw to the B.C. Lottery Corporation.

Morning Star Editorial Sept 25 Casino slots a royal mess

The B.C. Lottery Corporation (BCLC) must be seeing lemons instead of sevens in its dealings with the City of Vernon over the number of slot machines allowed in the city. Vernon council adopted a bylaw that limits the number of slot machines in the city to 300. But plans for the new Lake Country Casino, already under construction on Anderson Way, call for 400 machines. The city has told BCLC, who own the slots, they can proceed with the 400 machines, as that was part of the city-approved original plan and design, but the business would be "legally non-conforming under bylaw." No wonder BCLC is hesitating over which number to pick, 300 machines or 400. "We are not accustomed to having facilities in a non-conforming use," said a spokesman for the lottery giant. The city says the reason for the bylaw that limits the number of machines is to try and pry money from BCLC and Lake City Casino for a social responsibility fund.

The move for such a fund may be admirable, but the casino does provide plenty of paraphernalia inside its walls about the dangers of gambling, and its addictions, as well as where people can seek help. And people do not have to walk through the doors of the casino. It's their choice. One can argue that alcohol is also a big problem in Vernon, but the city doesn't seem to want to limit the large number of wine and beer stores, or pubs, that operate in town. The fact is, the casino brings in tourists and needed revenue for the city, money that can be used for other programs. They employ a number of people, give back to the community by sponsoring leagues, and the city and province collect tax revenue from the outlet. The bottom line is, 400 slots were approved by council at the outset, so 400 machines should be allowed.