The British Columbia Lottery Corp., the Canadian province’s gaming regulator, has indicated it’s receptive to discussing a new casino resort in the District of Saanich.
Local news site CHEKnews.ca reports that in a letter, the crown corporation noted Saanich’s “continued interest in a potential gaming facility” and has offered to discuss possible sites with district councillors at a future meeting.
About a year ago, Saanich council members voted unanimously to get more information about a casino in the municipality. Saanich Mayor Fred Haines said a new casino and entertainment facility would create economic opportunities for the municipality and that there are “certain amenities” that come with having one.
“This is not just a gaming facility,” he said. “This is a hotel, a restaurant, a small-scale entertainment complex that has all those positives around it.”
Asked if he’s concerned about the risks for money laundering, which has been rife in BC in recent years and kicked off a government inquiry, he said, “There are tighter controls than ever before. If this was something that we thought would be taking us down a path to harm, then we wouldn’t be entering in this conversation.”
BCLC has been looking to build a new casino in the Capital Region for years. Victoria had been the preferred site for a new casino until recently when that city’s council opted against the idea.
