Supreme Court of Canada Refuses to Review Hastings Park Conservancy Anti-Slots Lawsuit

On August 14th, 2008, a community organization that opposed the installation of slot machines at a Vancouver racing track for the past four year has lots its case before the Country's Supreme Court. The Supreme Court of Canada refused to review the case filed by Hastings Park Conservancy, which challenged the addition of six hundred permanent slot machines at the Hastings Racecourse through B.C. Courts.

The Vancouver city council voted in 2004 to allow slot machines on the racing track, located about 4 kilometers from downtown Vancouver. The decision attracted widespread condemnation from neighborhood activists and anti-gaming organizations. The city has permitted the racing track to manage 150 slot machines on a temporary gaming floor under existing laws. The establishment will open its brand new permanent casino facility with six hundred slot machines, a restaurant and a lounge.

The head of the Hastings Park Conservancy, David Bornman commented that it was disheartening that the Supreme Court will not study their case. He added that they have a casino in their neighborhood that can cause some problems in the near future.

Thursday, 04 September 2008
Alex Van Der Butz