147 replies to this topic

[spanky123]

.I would be wary of any heavy subsidization, in addition to negative externalities like the Harrah's New Orleans debacle (massive tax breaks and at the end of the day most of the customers are poor locals, not rich tourists).

 

I think that this is true of most "local casinos". Visit View Royal and most people appear to be retirees dutifully pumping their money into slots hoping for the big payday.

[VicHockeyFan]

True but less favorable odds as Las Vegas where most destination gamblers go.

 

Yes, but only on the sophisticated options, like splitting, doubling, and with aces involved etc.  On 95% of the hands, our rules are the same as Vegas. 

[spanky123]

Yes, but only on the sophisticated options, like splitting, doubling, and with aces involved etc.  On 95% of the hands, our rules are the same as Vegas. 

 

Very true but those sophisticated options are what bring the odds close enough to even that the pros will make the trip.

 

BC casino payouts are generally very low. Slots pay out < 90% and many table games have subtle rule differences which move the odds further in the house favour. Why do you think that there are few (if any) video poker in BC? Answer is that even the least favourable machines pay at about 93% which is far too high for us!

 

Casinos in BC are not about having fun or providing entertainment, they are about removing money from gamblers pockets as fast as possible (IMHO).

Edited by spanky123, 29 May 2014 - 03:07 PM.

[sdwright.vic]

It's actually quite fun to hand over $20 in Mexico and have it turn into $160. You can play for a long time with the slots.

[concorde]

Because at least 33% of our tourists come in with no vehicle.  I don't think we should have to send them on a bus to it.

I need to phone Vegas, you mean you don't have an airstrip next to the hotel.  I have to take a 20 minute taxi ride!!!! oh no, the horror

 

We also need to build a new mega cruise ship terminal right in the inner harbour and have mega 50 floor hotels with blinking lights.  We could call it Vegas North.

 

I know Great Canadian Casinos on the island have not been doing all that well.  Granted that was a few years ago when I spoke to them.  You would think if there was a huge demand the natives would build one on their reserve in Esquimalt

[concorde]

Yes, but only on the sophisticated options, like splitting, doubling, and with aces involved etc.  On 95% of the hands, our rules are the same as Vegas. 

True, but where are the free drinks?  also since I am gambling I want to have a few cigars while I play too.  Not here!

[VicHockeyFan]

True, but where are the free drinks?  also since I am gambling I want to have a few cigars while I play too.  Not here!

 

Well, you get this is no other BC casinos, but even freaking Dawson Creek has one.

[concorde]

^exactly, so when I feel like having a great time, blow some money gambling I'm on my way to Vegas where I can do that stuff, taking my money with me and every time leaving it behind.  BC loses out each time I or someone does that

[Sparky]

Never hit 12.

[Sparky]

I like the "River Rock". Too bad we do not have the population to support one like it here.

[VicHockeyFan]

^exactly, so when I feel like having a great time, blow some money gambling I'm on my way to Vegas where I can do that stuff, taking my money with me and every time leaving it behind.  BC loses out each time I or someone does that

 

But bear with me.  All these places have casinos that at least break even, and extra revenue comes to the municipality.  We simply permit Great Canadian to set up here, no cost on out part, and maybe significant government revenue if it works.  Why not?

 

Burnaby

Surrey

View Royal

Dawson Creek

Whistler

Cranbrook

Vancouver (6 casinos)

Quesnel

Langley

Nanaimo

Kelowna 

Kamloops

Penticton

Vernon

New Westminster

Prince George

[Mike K.]

Duncan has a casino as well, and I think there's another in... Courtney maybe?

[D.L.]

The Chances in Duncan is just slots and bingo, not a real casino

[concorde]

I also think Chances is on native land.  Can anyone confirm that?

 

VHF, I agree about setting up a casino, but it comes down to a political hot potato and people generally argue about the social responsibilities, etc, etc.  I am also not sure if Great Canadian Casinos overall are doing that well.  I will look it up

[concorde]

they are doing and made $67 million based on these assets.  I made the comment because they cancelled an expansion of the nanaimo casino 6 years ago

 

• 10 Casinos
• 1 Thoroughbred Racetrack offering Slot Machines
• 3 Standardbred Racetracks with 2 offering Slot Machines
  and 1 offering both Slot Machines and Table Games
• 3 Community Gaming Centres
• 1 Four Diamond Hotel Resort and Conference Centre
• 2 Show Theatres
• And various associated hospitality facilities

[lanforod]

Put casinos on the spirit class ferries and be done with it. All profit goes to lower fares.

[spanky123]

I also think Chances is on native land.  Can anyone confirm that?

 

VHF, I agree about setting up a casino, but it comes down to a political hot potato and people generally argue about the social responsibilities, etc, etc.  I am also not sure if Great Canadian Casinos overall are doing that well.  I will look it up

 

GC's stock is at a 52 week high so investors think they are doing well!

[VicHockeyFan]

I also think Chances is on native land.  Can anyone confirm that?

 

VHF, I agree about setting up a casino, but it comes down to a political hot potato and people generally argue about the social responsibilities, etc, etc.  I am also not sure if Great Canadian Casinos overall are doing that well.  I will look it up

 

I have a great solution.  The natives are about to own the PCC building on Pandora.   That building can be the casino, bring a bit of life to that part of town.  Natives lease it to Great Canadian.  Yup, that's a freaking hot potato nobody in government would want to touch, so approvals will sail through.  We get a casino, the natives get a nice monthly revenue stream.

[Sparky]

^ It's too small. It's only about 50 feet wide with 2 stories. That's why Windemere and Finlayson didn't work.

[VicHockeyFan]

^ It's too small. It's only about 50 feet wide with 2 stories. That's why Windemere and Finlayson didn't work.

 

No, they did not work when the system required the involvement of a charity (and required volunteers from that charity to staff) on every night, and table limits were $5 per hand (now it's $500).  And there were no slots.  Now almost any size works.