Vancouver Mayor Aims to Veto Casino Expansion
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson has announced that if he is re-elected, his council will freeze gaming expansions for the next 3 years.
Robertson said he recognized the value of stating what he would not do, as well as what he would do if re-elected, and that Vision Vancouver would not agree to an expansion of gaming in the Canadian city.
"A Vision Vancouver city council will implement a comprehensive moratorium on the expansion of gambling in Vancouver, and we will continue to take a clear stand against the idea of a major destination mega-casino in the heart of our city's dynamic downtown core," Robertson said.
Las Vegas-based Paragon Gaming submitted proposals last year to replace an existing casino located close to BC Place Stadium as well as undertake a vast redevelopment of the area, including the revamp of a hotel and casino.
The current casino hosts 600 slots machines, but the Vancouver gaming expansion would allow Paragon Gaming to double that number and include a further 75 gaming tables. The redevelopment proposal is expected to progress without the additional slots machines, following the unanimous rejection of the proposal by the city council.
Last year, the council rejected another proposed Vancouver gaming expansion that involved the Edgewater Casino. Robertson claims that if re-elected, he and the council will no longer consider any casino proposals.
"This is going farther than what we said that we would do back in April. Today we are saying that there will be no reviews or studies on expanded gambling. That is off the table," explained Robertson.
"The Vision Vancouver team listened to the voices of citizens and community groups and hear overwhelming public opposition to expanded gambling."
"Voters can count on the Vision team to keep building a Vancouver economy that is renowned worldwide for being innovative, dynamic, creative and sustainable - a truly liveable city - and a downtown mega-casino simply does not fit with that economic vision," said Vision City Council candidate, Tony Tang.
Gaming Growing in Vancouver
Following the release of Robertson's statement, the Canadian Gaming Association published a news statement noting that gaming in Vancouver is a growth industry driven by public demand, and that gaming has created 253,487 jobs in Canada.
Suzanne Anton, a Vancouver city councillor, claimed that the council voted for the moratorium on gaming expansion with conditions - not an outright rejection of the project. There are community and social groups that oppose the casino plans.
The Vancouver elections will be held on November 19 this year.
