New Vancouver Casino Project Makes Some Headway

The next step has been taken in the establishment of a new casino in North Vancouver. However there are likely to be several hurdles in the way before the proposal gets converted into reality. Existing laws do not permit the addition of new gambling sites within city limits. After more than a year’s deliberation, the Vancouver city council has voted five to two to send the proposal to the policy committee.

Playtime Gaming had requested the legislators to overturn the ban in late 2013. This was in connection with the project to further develop the Shipyards district. 'Lot 5' consists of 110,000 square feet of city owned land which has been earmarked for the creation of a 'regional attraction'. The proposed building plan submitted by Playtime Gaming includes, apart from basic casino entertainment, amenities like restaurants, boutique retail, an expansion of the Pinnacle Hotel, underground parking, a public theatre, skating rink or water feature and the mandatory 40% green space and public areas. The casino with its slot machines is essential in order to make the rest of the project financially viable.

Though Playtime Gaming has a point in its favour, the overturning of a law, which is 20 years old merits serious consideration. Most important are the economic and social impacts of having gambling facilities more readily available. However, if anyone can pull this off it is Playtime Gaming. The organization is familiar with the Canadian province and is no stranger to its gambling laws. It runs six community gaming centres offering electronic gambling stations in areas such as Langley and Abbotsford. Playtime Gaming is also connected to Vancouver Mayor Darrell Mussatto, having made a donation for his last election efforts. Mussatto seems to be in favour of the proposal.

A proposal to relocate Edgewater Casino to a new massive casino-hotel complex on a vacant site located on the southern end of BC Place Stadium was cleared in December 2013 after being rejected in 2011. The clearance came with conditions that the new casino resort will not be larger than the existing Edgewater Casino and will not exceed the present 600 slot machines and 75 gambling tables. Other conditions included expanded in-facility harm-reduction programs for gambling addicts and limiting the number of ATMs, hours of liquor service and casino operating hours. The development will encompass 675,000 square feet, create 2,000 jobs within the complex and generate $180 million annually for the local economy. The opening date is set for late 2016.

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