Gambling news from http://www.abbynews.com/
The business people behind possible future gaming establishments in Abbotsford have shown their hands, and now it is up to city councillors to do likewise.
A decision over Paul Esposito's casino bid was pulled away from council in March, before it even had to take a vote, after the B.C. Lottery Corporation ruled it was not considering more casinos in the province until at least 2008.
Council will not have such an easy ride second time around.
The lottery corporation is actively promoting a Community Gaming Centre for Abbotsford on the site of the current bingo hall on Peardonville Road.
And at Monday's council meeting, applicants informed the city's decision-makers that the revamped building would not only include bingo, but also slot machines, a bistro and bar, and other forms of electronic gaming.
Staff will now prepare a report and submit it to council, probably in the fall.
And that will ultimately result in council having to say yes or no.
The proposal itself appears strong. Some 79 community groups rely on funds from the bingo hall at present, and much of that cash could be put in jeopardy if the bingo hall closes due to a continued drop in numbers.
By the admission of Abbotsford Mayor George Ferguson, many Abbotsford people are already travelling out of town to spend their gambling dollars in an array of casinos both north and south of the border.
Meanwhile, Internet gambling is just a click away, Keno can be played in virtually any gas station, and scratch tickets can be bought with a packet of gum at a kiosk.
Like it or not, people who want to gamble already have ample opportunity and are taking advantage of it.
With that in mind, it seems hard to believe that 50 or 100 slot machines will bring the community to its knees.
Community Gaming Centres are already operating in other B.C. cities, and, like casinos, municipalities are receiving millions in gaming revenue.
With our city in the midst of a financial crunch, perhaps this is an opportunity we can ill afford to miss.
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