British Columbia Lottery Corporation generates an impressive online gaming revenue at the moment, as more people explore the gaming opportunity. Kamloops officials sought a way in which they can benefit from the increased gaming activity. B.C. Attorney General David Eby recently stated that the provincial government has already shown its support towards the region and revenue allocations would not be possible.
It could be recalled that a couple of weeks ago, Kamloops officials expressed their interest in exploring the online gaming revenue and the ways in which it could benefit the city coffers. Mayor Ken Christian looked into the subject and he received an answer from the Attorney-General’s office. It informed them that a formal request for online gaming revenue should be made.
BCLC Online Revenue
As it could be recalled, such a formal request was made and the answer came just recently. In it. The Attorney-General’s office stated that the provincial government has supported Kamloops in many ways over the past couple of months. For this, the region would not become eligible for a share of the online gaming revenue generated by the Crown corporation. Attorney-General David Eby was certain about this decision.
British Columbia Lottery Corporation oversees PlayNow.com, the online gaming platform allowing locals to gamble online and explore the various gaming products up for grabs. There is sports wagering, online poker, various lottery products, traditional casino gaming, as well as keno games in store. The gaming revenue generated by it is then used for various government programs benefitting more individuals on a regular basis.
Mr. Eby made it clear that the provincial government is using the online gaming revenue for existing programs, along with support for various essential services currently in operation in British Columbia. The unprecedented situation across the province and around the globe has mandated new practices and solidified the support the provincial government is showing. For the time being, no changes in the revenue distribution are considered.
Reopening this Summer
Back in 2019, the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention endorsed a resolution when it comes to revenue sharing. It should be noted, that Kamloops does not receive any gambling revenue allocation right now. Mid-March, all land-based casino venues and gambling halls in Canada closed for business. Brick-and-mortar casinos and gambling halls to the likes of Cascades in Aberdeen, Chances in Brocklehurst, Cascades Casino Kamloops, and Chances Casino Kamloops are expected to be the last businesses to relaunch operation.
This is projected to happen over the upcoming months, as the provincial governments are working on their business reopening plans and striving to implement them in a comprehensive manner. The reopening is expected to take longer than it took for the government to close them, as the process itself involves special measures.
Physical distancing will be mandatory once brick-and-mortar venues reopen for business. Kamloops is eligible for 10 percent of the gaming revenue gambling venues are capable of generating on a regional level. The municipality solely bagged some CA$2.5 million over the course of the 2018/2019 fiscal year.
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