The provincial government is folding on a controversial idea to install slot machines on board BC Ferries.
Potential revenues from installing a gaming pilot on board a BC Ferries vessel would not generate a return on investment, the transportation ministry said in a statement Monday.
In a business analysis, the BC Lottery Corporation instead estimated an annual loss of about $240,000 because of costs associated with extra staffing, IT and equipment.
“While the BC Lottery Corporation’s analysis showed that this idea wouldn’t make money, we’ll remain open to other revenue-generating services,” said minister Todd Stone.
The idea of bringing gambling to ferries was studied by the government as a potential revenue stream to help reduce pressure on fares.
The BCLC would have owned the slot machines and ferry staff would have been trained to monitor them.
In May, BC Ferries abandoned plans to cut back service on routes between Vancouver Island and the mainland as it grappled with ways to cut costs by about $54-million and stop rising fares.
Have your say: Do you think the decision to not install slots on ferries is the right call, or a lost opportunity?
