The B.C. Lottery Corporation recently announced it will locate a new gambling and entertainment facility south of the Fraser River in Delta, because of its strong market potential, community plans and access to transportation. Delta Chief Administrative Officer George Harvie said, “It’s isolated, it’s not near schools, it’s not in the communities and people won’t be driving there through communities. The area’s sited for upgrades with the new bridge coming in, so to us it’s a perfect site.”
Besides, Delta, the Tsawwassen First Nation applied to host the casino; the City of Surrey declined. The new casino would be a relocation of the Newton Community Gaming Centre in Surrey, which would be enlarged to accommodate additional gambling and entertainment options. Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Ltd. would own or lease the facility for BCLC and oversee daily operations.
The process began last June when the BCLC asked local governments south of the Fraser to submit expressions of interest regarding hosting the new facility. Delta council voted unanimously to express its interest in late June.
According to BCLC figures, the new regional gaming facility could generate $25-$30 million in incremental revenue. Ten percent of net gaming income, up to $3 million annually would go to the Corporation of Delta.
