10-Mar-09. B.C. casino deemed not worth security gamble. Globe and Mail, A2.

Approximately 200 employees of Hastings Park race track in Vancouver, B.C. will be out of work for a month due to a facility closure during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The Games will take place during the off-season for horse racing, but the casino and off-track betting operation will be impacted. Howard Blank, vice-president for Great Canadian Gaming, said his company’s bid to stay open was formally rebuffed last week by the Games organizing committee.

5-Aug-06. Destination-style casino taking shape on Edmonton’s western edge. Edmonton Journal, E1.

The River Cree Resort and Casino is rapidly taking shape on the Enoch Cree First Nation Reserve west of Edmonton. The sprawling $180-million complex will be open to the public in late October and will be Alberta’s largest destination resort casino. The resort is a partnership between Las Vegas-based Paragon Gaming and Enoch Community Developments Corp. Paragon is also in the process of acquiring the Edgewater casino in downtown Vancouver and has plan to build a third casino in Whitecourt, Alberta – The Alexis Casino and Travel Plaza.

14-May-06. Kid poker crosses the line. Lethbridge Herald, A6.

This editorial describes a poker event in Vancouver that is being marketed directly to youth. The author cites a study from the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors that indicates the average problem gamblers starts at age 10. Also cited is the Alberta Youth Experience Survey 2002 that found the best protection for youth against problem gambling and substance abuse is monitoring by their parents. The article concludes by stating that there is also an onus on parents to address the role gambling plays in their own lives.

15-May-06. New casino down on its luck. National Post, A3.

This article describes the plight of the Edgewater Casino in downtown Vancouver which opened in February, 2005. Earlier this month the casino’s owners filed for court protection from creditors barely one year after the casino first opened its doors. It is thought that restrictions on smoking, drinking, and signage have contributed to this poor start. Some gambling analysts also suggest that the casino has struggled because the local market is saturated.

14-May-06. Poker tour targets kids. Edmonton Sun, 22.

Organizers of a two-day poker workshop for young people planned for June in Vancouver claim that the event will develop math and communications skills. It is being planned by Nevada North’s Kids Poker Tour which is based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The province’s Solicitor General John Les says the Kids Poker Tour is unconscionable.

14-May-06. Poker tour aimed at youngsters. Edmonton Journal, A3.

A Vancouver-based company wants to teach Texas Hold ’Em poker to children from 10 to 18 years of age. The youth will be taught by professional poker players from Las Vegas and participants will learn the intricacies of the game and also play a half-day tournament. Clarence Chan of Richmond Addiction Services said children must recognize gambling can become addictive, similar to cigarettes, alcohol and drugs.

28-Apr-06. Gambling business struggles to improve image. Edmonton Journal, B14.

The heads of several provincial lottery corporations told a gambling in industry conference in Vancouver that Canada’s $14-billion gambling industry does not yet get the same level of acceptance as the alcohol industry. Nova Scotia Gaming Corp. president Marie Mullally said the industry has to promote more responsible gambling in Canada to minimize social costs and become more readily accepted by the public. Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission chief executive Norman Peterson said that he isn’t sure the industry has done a great job dealing with the issue of problem gambling and it risks a public backlash if it isn’t properly addressed.

28-Apr-06. Gambling industry eager to improve image. Calgary Herald, A9.

The heads of several provincial lottery corporations told a gambling in industry conference in Vancouver that Canada’s $14-billion gambling industry does not yet get the same level of acceptance as the alcohol industry. Nova Scotia Gaming Corp. president Marie Mullally said the industry has to promote more responsible gambling in Canada to minimize social costs and become more readily accepted by the public. Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission chief executive Norman Peterson said that he isn’t sure the industry has done a great job dealing with the issue of problem gambling and it risks a public backlash if it isn’t properly addressed.

19-Apr-06. Gateway awaits Lady Luck. National Post, FP1.

This article details the recent stock market performance of Vancouver’s two publicly-traded casino developers, Great Canadian Gaming Corp. and Gateway Casinos Income Fund. Both companies have seen reductions in their stock prices and gaming analysts believe that Gateway’s unit price has fallen as a result of troubles at its competitor Great Canadian. The article provides additional details about the British Columbia casino market and the ownership structure and management of the two casino companies.

04-Apr-06. Gateway Casinos to buy B.C. properties. Globe and Mail, B3.

The Vancouver-based Gateway Casinos Income Fund has signed a deal to buy the Cascades Langley Casino and Hotel for $106.3-million in cash and units. The Cascades Langley Casino and Hotel includes the Cascades Casino and the Coast Langley City Hotel and Convention Centre.