The January 16th staged cabinet meeting endorsed an expansion of over 50% in the number of slot machines in British Columbia. On the same day the Campbell government caved in to the tobacco industry and replaced the WCB smoking regulation; it received a presentation from Solicitor General Rich Coleman that sounded like a promotion for the casino industry. Coleman assured his cabinet colleagues that gambling in casinos really isn't so bad, after all he argued, addiction really goes up in provinces that allow VLTs in corner stores.

The Campbell government has openly mused about legislatively breaking collective agreements (labour contracts). Coleman argued that if they didn't allow 4 existing casinos plus some yet to be constructed destination casinos to have 300 slot machines, then they might be breaking contracts. The Premier confessed that cabinet met in secret to deal with the supposed contractual obligations. They then acted out the policy discussion in public because they had said gambling decisions would be made in public.

Keep in mind that the casinos do not currently have those 1,200 or more additional slot machines. Keep in mind that the government admits it can prevent some casinos from ever getting slots. Whether a contract exists to permit these operators to expand is not at all clear. The government that is willing to do anything to balance the budget appears willing to take an election promise not to expand gambling and redefine terms: "not expand" means expand by less than 100%.

The news media have reported that cold beer and wine stores may soon be allowed to sell hard liquor. You can pick up your bottle of scotch on your way to a smoky casino where you can lose your money on hundreds of new slot machines - a New Era indeed!