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Counselor Jack Gilroy of Vernon, British Columbia is fighting to help Lake City Casinos and the British Columbia Lottery Corporation 100 additional slot machines.  According to the bylaw put in place last fall, gambling establishments are limited to have 300 slot machines.  Lake City Casinos and the British Columbia Lottery Corporation would like to install 400 slot machines in a new casino planned for the community.

According to Gilroy, joint venture between Lake City Casinos and the British Columbia Lottery Corporation has not violated any role as they included the 400 slot machines in the design plans they submitted to the city. 

“They had a business plan when they came to us. They built the building for 400 machines,” insisted Gilroy.

Gilroy is not only fighting on behalf of the casino but he sees that the city will benefit from the expansion as well.  The city will of course receive a portion of the revenue from slot machines and that adding 100 more machines could generate as much as $300,000; additionally revenue that could be used for necessary public services.

“We sure could use it for tax relief for our citizens,” said Gilroy.

The major counter argument to gambling expansion has always been the threat of increase in problem gambling.  Gilroy is not convinced that an extra 100 slot machines is going to make much of an impact.  Counselor Shawn Lee is not convinced either.

“The horse is already out of the barn,” said Lee.

Lee went on to argue that if the city did not want casinos designed to operate 400 slot machines, they should not have approved them for licensing.

“If the city made an agreement, the city should live up to that agreement.”

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