The city of Victoria is one step closer to getting a casino.
On Thursday city council voted six to three in favour of moving forward with the casino proposal.
The city has identified two locations as potential sites for a casino – the Crystal Garden and the lot next to it, which is currently operated as a rental car parking lot.
Other suggestions include somewhere along Belleville Street in James Bay.
Victoria’s mayor said the vote doesn’t mean other locations won’t be considered.
“We can't give anyone else's land away, or put anyone else into the mix. We can certainly say these are two sites we're willing to entertain,” Lisa Helps said.
According to the manager of a downtown hotel, a nearby casino would be good for local businesses.
“It would be a good bet for everything,” Francis Mairet, from the DoubleTree by Hilton, noted. “Anything that is creating and holding traffic in a core is a good thing. It makes the core vibrant.”
Saanich is also in the running for a casino.
The district’s mayor, Richard Atwell, has listed potential spots for a casino - including the Playtime Bingo Hall in the Tillicum neighbourhood and the old Mayfair Bowling Lanes.
Despite Thursday’s vote, some Victoria councillors remain opposed to the idea of a casino anywhere in the capital city.
“I don’t think we need to be pursuing that revenue stream. It comes disproportionately from people who are addicted, people who are low and moderate income,” Ben Isitt said.
View Royal’s mayor said another big casino would devastate the one in his community.
“I think it could cut their revenues easily in half if there's another full-sized casino opened up in the city,” David Screech stated.
A host municipality will bring in approximately $2 million annually in proceeds from a casino.
Victoria and Saanich both have until June 23 to let the British Columbia Lottery Corporation know whether they’re interested in getting a casino.
The winning bidder is expected to be selected sometime this summer.
With a report from CTV Vancouver Island's Robert Buffam
