Richmond may roll the dice
Staff report recommends more gambling

City staff have recommended that gambling be expanded in the Richmond.

But the city’s mayor says Richmond residents still feel the same as 1997 when the city developed its anti-expansion position.

“I don’t want it to be presumed I have a closed mind,” Mayor Malcolm Brodie said. “But I’m opposed to expanded gaming in our city.”

Brodie agreed there were significant financial benefits to be gained from more gaming, but said a staff report written by policy planning manager Terry Crowe failed to reflect the social costs. The argument that “other municipalities are doing it, so why don’t we?” doesn’t cut it, he said.

“It’s just a question of whether we want to pay the social costs to get there,” Brodie said.

Council’s finance committee is discussing expanded gaming today.

Changes to the current provincial gaming policy are expected with the introduction of comprehensive gaming legislation sometime this year. In 1997, the city decided that any new gaming would “only be considered after the local government has indicated...that it favours additional gaming facilities.”

So far, it has not.

But after conducting a review of the implications of gaming and pending changes to provincial policies, city staff have recommended that the city rescind its former anti-gaming stance.

“By informing the province at the earliest possible time, the city gives itself the best chance to receive one of the expanded gaming licenses and revenues,” Crowe wrote in his report.

Coun. Kiichi Kumagai said the words in the report, “expanded gaming,” may not be an accurate description for what he supports. Kumagai said he supports adding 3,000 slot machines at the Great Canadian Casino, located at Sea Island and No. 3 Road, either at its current location or at a new facility.

The new facility could spark revitalization at the north end of No. 3 Road, he said.

“I’m trying to get a double whammy where we get the financial benefits and also the economic development,” Kumagai said.

There are numerous casinos throughout the region and Richmond should ensure it gets its share of the revenues, he added.

“Why shouldn’t I, as a taxpayer, have that benefit?” he said.

Under current provincial rules, cities like Richmond that have community casinos get 10 per cent of net gaming revenues. Those with “destination” casinos get 17 per cent of net revenue.

Coun. Evelina Halsey-Brandt supports adding slots, but said it should go to referendum in November’s civic election.

“A lot of people have no problem with it, a lot of people have a lot of problems with it,” she said. “We have gambling in Richmond.

“All this is doing is adding one more game to an existing establishment.”

Halsey-Brandt said any future casino applications should be judged individually, and go to a referendum each time, during municipal elections.

Brodie said any expansion of gaming activity should be put to public meetings, but he did not support using a referendum.

An anti-gaming activist says the city would make a serious mistake if they decide to rescind their 1997 position.

“The people haven’t changed,” said Bill Chu, who campaigned against gaming the last time around. “It’s only the council that has changed their minds. If they do it, it’s without the people’s mandate.”

Chu said the crime that surrounds casinos has been well-documented, as well as the damage gambling addiction has on families.

“We are one of the best cities this size in Canada. Why would we want to ruin it with gambling expansion?”