First Nations Want Part of BC Gambling
The internet version of the publication, Globes and Mail has been running an interesting series of articles of late relating to the gambling industry in British Columbia, Canada.
This week, it examined the industry from the perspective of the First Nations, tapping into the opinions expressed by Joe Hall, chairman of the British Columbia First Nations Gaming Initiative.
The article looks at Hall's fight on behalf of First Nations to share in some of the revenues gleaned by the casinos and gambling establishments in British Columbia. Hall has tried for years to get the government to change its current policy and allow First Nations to play a bigger role in the province's gambling sector.
Hall is quoted as saying: "The province and, to some degree, the federal government just don't seem to be interested in doing it the easy way."
BC's policies are in sharp contrast to other provinces such as Manitoba and Alberta who allow a greater role to be played by their First Nations.
BC Gambling at Saturation Point?
The government's argument until today has been that the province's casino market is already near saturation point. The minister responsible for gambling in BC, Rich Coleman is quoted as saying in the Globes and Mail piece: "This is not a business where, if you build it they will come. Some people think that's the case but it really isn't; you have to have it sized to the marketplace."
This attitude angers Hall, who points to a recent proposal to build a new casino in Surrey. The point that the proposal was shot down by councillors is besides the point, says Hall. More importantly, the government needs to explain why it proposed the casino so close to where the Semiahmoo First Nation was considering a casino resort of its own.
Hall claims that the Semiahmoo had been speaking about a casino "years ago" and that no progress had been made with the provincial government.
First Nations to Go their Own Way
With no positive feedback coming from the BC provincial government, Hall and the British Columbia First Nations Gaming Initiative he represents say that they will act on their own and set up gambling operations on their own lands.
The First Nations are aware of the risks involved, including legal action by the government but, according to the article, it is a risk they are willing to take.
Potential sites for First Nations gambling casinos include Vancouver Island and the Okanagan. Hall claims that the First Nations have investors lined up to provide the capital.
