Victoria council is open to the idea of a casino in the city.
Last month, the B.C. Lottery Corp. asked municipalities near the core area if they wanted to be considered for a casino, indicating that it’s examining the possibility of locating a second casino closer to downtown Victoria than the one in View Royal.
Council agreed Thursday to keep Victoria’s options open and indicate support. Three councillors — Ben Isitt, Jeremy Loveday and Pam Madoff — were opposed.
“I think there’s very negative consequences on people addicted to gambling and, for me, that outweighs any recreational benefit for those who don’t have that addiction,” Isitt said.
An expression of interest does not obligate the city in any way, staff said, adding that it can be withdrawn at any time.
Mayor Lisa Helps called the decision to keep options open a “practical” one.
“I’m supportive of moving forward to keep the irons in the fire, to learn more, to see what might come back,” she said.
“At any time, if it doesn’t suit us, we can say, ‘You know what, we’re not interested. Go to Saanich or go somewhere else.’ ”
City guidelines allow for one casino in the city in specific areas. Staff say it could range from 30,000 to 60,000 square feet of floor space.
And it could be profitable.
BCLC turns 10 per cent of net casino profits over to the host municipality. About $4 million was turned over to View Royal in 2014-15. By special agreement, that money is shared with other West Shore communities.
In Victoria, the staff report says, the revenue could be allocated to housing initiatives or used for projects such as the Fire Hall No. 1 replacement, refurbishment or replacement of Crystal Pool, continued work on the David Foster Harbour Pathway or the $7.5-million cycling network being developed.
Isitt said there are enough options and policy tools available for the city to have “a diversified and growing revenue stream” without casino revenues.
Coun. Charlayne Thornton-Joe said she has never been as conflicted about an issue. She supported the casino Thursday but speculated that locating one under city guidelines would be tough.
“I would never approve or support a standalone [casino with] just slots and blackjack or whatever,” she said.
“It would have to be an entertainment centre, where there’s restaurants and other aspects of entertainment.”
Coun. Margaret Lucas said councillors “have control and we have the opportunity to do this right.”
“We also have the opt out, which is very important.”
But Madoff noted that studies have shown that casinos are not great economic generators for surrounding businesses.
“Casinos are designed in a way to make sure you go in, you stay in, then you leave,” she said.
Under city policy, any new casino must be part of a mixed-use development and require a plan for monitoring and mitigating potential social impacts. City staff recommend any new casino be located in a major tourist area of the city.
Madoff worried that the Crystal Garden falls within city guidelines as a potential site.
Coun. Geoff Young said it shouldn’t be a concern given that the city owns it, but Madoff discounted the argument.
“I don’t get any comfort from the notion that we own it so we have the ultimate say,” Madoff said.
“My concern is that we would be disposed to looking at the Crystal for a casino and it would already meet the mixed-use [requirement] if you just kept the ancillary retail along the front.”
Young noted that Victoria might be left in a situation where a casino could be located in the Mayfair area of Saanich — literally across the street from Victoria — leaving the city with all of the problems and none of the benefits.
He said a casino doesn’t necessarily have to be an isolated building surrounded by a sea of cars.
“It’s clear that not all casinos have to be like that,” Young said.
“There are urban casinos. There are casinos in areas that have an active street life.”
