Langley Bingo Aims to Offer More Slot Machines

A 2nd proposed casino facility in the Langley regional town center would give the four kilometer area surrounding it the biggest population of slot machines in B.C. The slots proposal was debated in a township hearing last night with the backing from some non-profitable organizations that received finances from gaming profits.

Barbara Scott of Big Brothers Big Sisters said that they hugely rely on the $145,000 that they received for their charitable work. Playtime Community Gaming wants to put 150 slot machines at an existing facility called Langley Bingo at 19664 64th Avenue.

The renovation of the facility would cost $2 million. There are already 600 slot machines at the Cascade Casino in Langley City and 397 at Fraser Down horse racing track in Surrey. Langley Bingo's slot machines would bring the total to 1,147 slot machines. Township Mayor Kurt Alberts commented that one of the biggest concerns of their community is the viability of the non-profitable organizations financial viability. He added that the council is now preparing to study the gaming proposal after being wary of allowing more gaming in the area.

The township stands to receive $1 million in yearly profits. Criticism to the project has not been that much compared with a similar proposal in Abbotsford which was approved despite large-scale criticism. Langley Meadows resident Al Peterson commented that there are a lot of people that just live a few miles away from the proposed site.

The provincial report, named Impacts of New Gaming stated that about 54% of those surveyed believed that expanded gaming will add more problems. Brian Doyle of the Community Development Division said that a lot of communities in the area feel that way. Langley RCMP Superintendent Janice Armstrong said that police expenses should not be forgotten. The council, which must give its approval, is expected to decide on November 26th, 2007.

Wednesday, 21 November 2007
Caroline Mitchell