People Continue To Gamble, Says BCLC Boss

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM  Monday, 16 January 2012 02:13

The economic downtown hasn't had a significant impact on revenues at the BC Lottery Corportation.  President and CEO Michael Graydon tells KISS FM, they're tracking on budget, with business about the same as last year. "What we're finding is people are still continuing to come to our facilities with the same frequency, but just aren't spending as much when they're there, so that's having some implications, but nothing significant." Graydon says they're in the process of starting a new casino management system that will allow them to communicate with all the slot machines in the province. He says that will allow them to enhance loyalty programs, and provide more of the popular games. "It is entertainment so we need to continue to invest in the amenities, like better restaurants and better customer service. We go  through the same things other entertainment companies or restaurants. You've got to create value, and you have to create a great customer experience." More people are going online to gamble, but that trend hasn't led to a big decrease in business for the Lottery Corp. Graydon tells KISS FM, they operate their own online site which has been a huge success. He says online gaming is estimated to be a 100 million business in BC. Meantime, Responsible Gambling Week continues in Vernon until Friday. Annette Sharkey from the Social Planning Council says one of the events takes place tonight. "We will have 'Owning Mahoney', which is a really great movie, and it will be at the Towne Theatre for two dollars for admission." The movie-- starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman-- is about a bank manager who has a gambling problem. Sharkey says the week-long event will give them a better idea of how big the problem is, and many people need help. The myth busting kiosk will be at the Vernon Library today,  at Okanagan College Tuesday, and at the First Nations Employment Centre on Wednesday.
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Don Quixote Note: Vernon is budgeting to receive $1,900,000 in Casino Revenue down from the $2,200,000 budgeted in 2011.  P.71 2012-2016 Financial Plan - 64.60MB