Editor:
Re: Casino opponents silent on possible TFN option, letter to the editor, Feb. 28
People say they don’t want a casino, but we need to take the casino offer so our neighbours won’t get one. It is disgusting that BCLC’s high pressure sales tactics pit neighbour against neighbour.
It is not OK for Delta to invite a gambling addiction opportunity, traffic congestion and organized crime to our neighbours’ proximity without consultation and preparation.
Why didn’t Delta make a social contract with Gateway to receive an extra $600,000 per year to offset some of the health risks just like Vancouver City did? (Hosting a Gambling Facility, BC, 2018) Instead, Delta will carelessly endanger the most vulnerable.
Ten to 20 per cent of the Indigenous population in Canada will experience some gambling problem in their life.” (2017 Gambling Research Ontario) “Around the world [and in the files of BCLC] there is a lot of data that problem gambling incidence is higher nearer to gambling venues” (BCTV News July 15, 2016 ) The casino arrival in our neighbourhood, will risk the health of both the residents of Delta and TFN with a greater probability for gambling addiction.
What is stopping B.C from partnering with TFN to put a in casino in their community too? But, soon TFN may not need BC’s permission to add gaming to their community. (First Nations Lobby Ottawa CBC Jan 2019) I ‘bet’ the First Nations will do a better job at managing their casinos than the BC government has. (W5 "Laundromat" episode Feb, 2019)
In April, 2019 BC First Nation’s Gaming commission will share seven per cent of BC’s gaming revenue. So the irony is, TFN didn’t have to directly take on the negative effects and costs of the casino. They get a piece of the pie too, as they should. However, money is never enough to offset the pain, losses and torment of gambling addiction.
D.Rainbow
