Gambling expansion

October 15, 2001

Weak Excuses for Broken Promises

The voting is over so now what happens to Campbell's promises? What processes were underway that didn't get in the way of the Campbell government changing course? How about the construction of the Northwest Community College Campus in Prince Rupert where a hole in the ground wasn't enough to stop an order to freeze construction for 18 months?

Most of the first ninety days consisted of undoing programs and legislation from the previous government. There weren't any processes then that got in the way.

Over and over again Campbell's gang justified change by saying that they weren't elected to keep things the same. Now watch them shift gears when they want to break an election promise like no expansion of gambling. That's when they drag out on going processes and suddenly become committed to not interfering.

Writing on the Campbell government's plans to expand gambling, Vancouver Province columnist Mike Smyth quoted Solicitor General Rich Coleman as saying "The casino process was already under way, there will be no expansion beyond that." Coleman has changed his excuse. When CBC reporter Jeff Davies asked him about gambling expansion, he said the documents released under FOI hadn't gone to cabinet. Now he acknowledges expansion but rather than dealing with whether it could be stopped so as to honour the Campbell promise, he hides behind an on going process.

Gambling expansion is expected to bring in more than $200 million per year according to Smith, and over $100 million per year according to the information publicly available on the BC Lottery Corporation's website (scroll way down to point 6). That is a lot of money compared to the one time $6 million that it would cost to complete the Northwest Community College project. Perhaps that is why the Campbell Liberals are proving so hypocritical about gambling.

October 7, 2001

"Significant" Gambling Expansion

Expansion of electronic bingo under Campbell government When interviewed by CBC radio, Solicitor General Rich Coleman denied knowledge of plans for an expansion of gambling in BC. He said that the documents that had been released under freedom of information legislation hadn't come to cabinet. Spaceship to Solicitor General Coleman, "You are responsible for the BC Lotteries Corporation whether or not a report goes to cabinet."

Freedom of Information isn't necessary in order to look at the BC Lotteries Corporation website. There under financial objectives, it says "Through innovative development, improved service levels and the continuing development of distribution channels, the Corporation is targeting net income of $650 million in fiscal 2003/04, an increase of $100 million over fiscal 2000/01 projections." The very next sentence says "…the projected growth in gaming over the next three-year period is significant…"

If that is not gambling expansion, then the New Era government is engaging in New Speak.

Attempts by the Campbell government to say this is nothing but plans left by the former government seem to ignore the boast at the top of the BC Lotteries Corporation page: "Gaming in B.C. will operate in a more efficient, accountable manner as a result of restructuring announced today, said Solicitor General Rich Coleman."
Isn't that Rich?

October 4, 2001

Government's Plans for Gambling Expansion Exposed

Government documents obtained as the result of a freedom of information request related to the WCB smoking regulation and government gambling revenues, have revealed more than just the government's fears over lost revenue if smoking is banned.

The documents show that despite a promise in Premier Campbell's New Era campaign document not to expand gambling, the BC Lottery Corporation is planning almost 20% growth in increased profits between fiscal 2000/01 and fiscal 2004/05. The Corporation's five year projection shows revenues increasing from $1.452 billion in 2000/01 to $1.908 in 2004/05. During that same period, profits are projected to grow from $550 million to $679 million.

A Crown Agencies Secretariat briefing note on the British Columbia Lottery Corporation says a lot about expansion with the following section:

"Assumptions

Lottery:

Government approves the sale of lottery products in beer and wine stores
Minister Responsible approves a number of innovative game products
Lottery network is expanded by 140 accounts
200 self-serve lottery terminals are added to the social gaming network

Casino:

The Surrey casino relocates to Coquitlam and is operation by October 1
The inactive Red Lion Casino is relocated to View Royal and operational by January 1, 2002

Bingo:

Electronic Bingo Starship sites will expand from 10 to 15 sites during the year
Handheld bingo devices will be expanded from eleven up to 32 sites."

It is true that these assumptions do not include new destination casinos, but there is no way to deny that they constitute an expansion of gambling in British Columbia.