Heath Officer Opposes New Vancouver Casino
The medical health officer of Vancouver has voiced his opposition to the construction of a mega-casino that is planned for the BC Place Stadium.
Dr. John Carsley said that the public was at risk should the casino be built as it could lead to higher rates of problem gambling.
Carsley, speaking at a public hearing about the Vancouver casino, turned to the city council and asked it to rethink the proposal made by Paragon Gaming.
The health officer said that problem gambling is considered a serious public health risk and while there is no absolute proof that an expanded casino could increase the risk of problem gambling, he still needed to be cautious and act in the public's best interest.
"The only option, for me, is to be cautious," he said. "Even if there is a tiny increase - 0.1% - that would be 2,000 more problem gamblers and 2,000 more families affected."
Carsley was one of at least 100 people who signed up to speak at the public hearing against the idea of the casino.
"The bottom line is the bottom line, it's our job," he said. "There is no consensus yet, it's an area of huge debate."
These voices of opposition haven't managed to deter the British Columbia Lottery Corp, which continues to push the idea of a mega-casino in Vancouver.
"While it's the largest casino in Western Canada, Vancouver is the largest city in Western Canada, so we deserve the best," BCLC president, Michael Graydon told a board of trade this week.
He said that the proposed site has been a parking lot and wasteland for over two decades and the casino will bring "vibrancy and excitement" to the location.
