By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: December 12, 2008
A politician is pushing to overturn a controversial restriction on the number of slot machines in Vernon. Coun. Jack Gilroy plans to ask his colleagues in January to reconsider a decision made by the former council in September to set a limit of 300 slot machines in the community, 100 less than was sought by Lake City Casinos. “The difference (between 300 and 400 machines) is about $300,000 that goes to the city,” said Gilroy, referring to provincial rules that provide casino revenue to municipalities. He believes $300,000 translates into about a two per cent increase in taxes, so more slot machines would benefit residents. “Council should be looking at it with the way the economy and financing is. We could do a lot with that money,” he said. Some former members of council wanted a limit on slot machines as a way of getting Lake City Casinos to provide assistance for a social responsibility fund and there was also a concern about gambling addiction. Gilroy says he’s also concerned about the impact of problem gambling on families and individuals, but he’s not convinced 100 more machines will make the situation worse. “Problem gamblers are going to gamble whether there are 300 or 400 machines,” he said. “We are a leader with social issues and that all comes from gaming funds. Why would you cut off the hand that allows you to do the things that we do in the community?”
City officials have previously stated that even with the bylaw limiting slot machines to 300, Lake City Casino can still have 400 machines at its Anderson Way location because they were shown in designs submitted to the city. But the business would be legally non-conforming under bylaw, and the B.C. Lottery Corporation — which owns the machines — has stated it doesn’t prefer that option.As a private citizen, Bob Spiers raised questions about an expanded casino, and now as a councillor, he isn’t sure if the city should look at reversing the restriction of 300 machines. “I supported the original thought (bylaw) and there’s nothing stopping them from going to 400, but we’ll have to wait and see what the discussion at council is,” he said.
