BCLC claims market is “untapped”
The B.C. Lottery Corporation has declined to explain the reasoning behind its support for a second casino in Greater Victoria, according to CBC Canadian News. BCLC’s nondisclosure policy “is raising concerns about a lack of transparency,” the publication reported.
“We would like to see the justification they are presenting that there is $45 million in untapped gaming revenue on the south island, because we just simply don’t believe it,” said Mayor David Screech of suburban View Royal, which has its own casino.
BCLC claims it has already conducted a market assessment, which found that two gaming facilities in close proximity both could prosper. But it would not release the document, saying the information is “proprietary” and cannot be shared.
Screech countered that the organization has a responsibility to be open about such developments. “They are a public corporation, or a crown corporation, and they should be releasing that information to their stakeholders,” he said.
Possible hosts include Victoria and Saanich, CBC reported. BCLC says the new facility could generate up to $2.5 million a year for the host government.
