Parq Holdings, the operator of a prominent casino located within a hotel and conference center adjacent to B.C. Place Stadium in Vancouver, has formally requested to expand its slot machine offerings by fifty percent. The proposal aims to increase the number of machines from the current 600 to a total of 900, marking a significant escalation in gambling capacity at the venue.
City Council Reviews Expansion Request with Conditions
In early February, Vancouver's city council referred Parq's application to a public hearing scheduled for this week. This move follows a pivotal decision made by the council in May 2024 to amend the city's longstanding moratorium on gambling expansion, originally established in 2011. The amendment was enacted at the request of the B.C. Lottery Corporation, allowing gambling expansion applications to be considered provided they include a comprehensive assessment of health, social, and economic impacts.
The council's vote in 2024 passed with a narrow margin of 5-to-3, reflecting ongoing debates about the risks associated with gambling. Critics, including numerous business leaders, economists, public health experts, and church leaders, have consistently advocated for maintaining the moratorium due to concerns over gambling addiction and its disproportionate effects on vulnerable populations, particularly low-income seniors in Vancouver.
Health Impact Assessment Highlights Risks and Benefits
The staff summary and recommendation for the upcoming public hearing incorporate a detailed Health Impact Assessment (HIA) analysis. This assessment was reviewed by key stakeholders such as Vancouver Coastal Health, the Vancouver Police Department, and the UBC Centre for Gambling Research. The HIA outlines both potential benefits and significant risks associated with the proposed expansion.
On the positive side, the analysis anticipates increased public revenues that could be allocated toward prevention, treatment, or community services aimed at enhancing health and social value. Additionally, the expansion is expected to create new employment opportunities and provide expanded gambling options for casual players who use the casino primarily for recreation and socializing, without being at risk of problem gambling.
Problem Gambling Identified as Central Concern
However, the HIA analysis identifies problem gambling as the foremost health risk, noting that slot machines are among the gambling forms most strongly linked to such issues. It emphasizes a disproportionate impact on vulnerable groups, including individuals experiencing mental health and substance abuse issues, those with low social connectedness, and older and younger adults, with particular emphasis on Indigenous peoples and South Asian communities.
The report further links problem gambling to heightened risks of financial strain, domestic violence, substance use issues, and increased demand for health and social services. It highlights that players with incomes under $40,000 represent the second high-risk group for problem gambling, following a minority of frequent, higher-risk problem gamblers.
Projected Impacts and Mitigation Measures
According to the staff report, Parq anticipates that the addition of 300 slot machines will attract approximately 305,000 new players over a five-year period. The expansion is projected to generate additional revenue and employment, along with entertainment benefits for an estimated 200,000 non-problem gamblers. City staff have recommended that any council decision to approve the slot machine increase should be contingent on requiring specific actions to mitigate the harms caused by problem gambling, ensuring that the expansion does not exacerbate existing social issues.
This recommendation underscores the city's cautious approach, balancing economic opportunities with public health responsibilities. As Vancouver continues to navigate the complexities of gambling regulation, the outcome of the public hearing and subsequent council decision will be closely watched by stakeholders across the community.
