23-Jan-09. Tip sheet. Globe and Mail, B11.

This short item reports that casinos may be hit hard in the coming months as gamblers opt for less r risky forms of leisure. Scotia Capital analysts are, however, still recommending that shares of Great Canadian Gaming Corp. are worth holding through the recession. The company, which operates a number of casinos in British Columbia, has seen its shares gain 34 per cent from December lows, and is trading at a discount to its peers.

29-May-08. Casino slot machines laundering money. Red Deer Advocate, 2.

Reports revealing the ability of criminals to launder money at B.C. casinos have prompted a procedure and policy review aimed at tightening training, reporting and auditing at the B.C. Lottery Corp. A CBC investigation revealed casino player could add large amounts of money to slot machines, cash out without playing and then receive a cheque from the casino to cover the unused money. The investigation also found that few of these suspicious transactions are reported to the Financial Trasactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC).

5-Apr-07. Australian high roller tries his luck in Canada. National Post, FP1.

New World Gaming Partners Ltd., a joint venture between James Packer’s Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd. and Australia’s Macquarie Bank, yesterday offered to buy Gateway Casinos Income Fund for $800-million. Gateway has seven casinos in British Columbia and Alberta and provincial regulators in those provinces will both have to approve the deal.

12-Mar-07. B.C. casinos look like a safe bet. National Post, FP7.

A report from Raymond James suggests that the gaming industry is a safe investment opportunity for investors. Revenue generated within the Canadian gaming industry has grown 9.5 per cent annually from $6.5-billion in 1995 to $14-billion in 2005. Casinos accounted for 36 per cent of gaming revenues in 2004 compared to 15 per cent in 1995. Analyst Andy Nasr expects community-based casinos will continue to grow revenues because of population growth, migration trends and an aging population.

11-Jul-06. B.C. casinos ban gamblers for abandoning kids. Edmonton Journal, A5.

Internal B.C. Lottery Commission records obtained by CanWest News Service indicate that more than 40 people have been banned from British Columbia casinos over the past three years for leaving their children alone in the car while they go inside. University of Alberta gambling expert Garry Smith said those who leave their children alone are likely gambling addicts, not casual gamblers.

11-Jul-06. Casino bans gamblers with kids left in cars. National Post, A3.

Internal B.C. Lottery Commission records obtained by The Vancouver Sun indicate that more than 41 customers were banned from British Columbia casinos between 2003 to 2005 for leaving their children along in the car while they go inside. University of Alberta gambling expert Garry Smith said those who leave their children alone are likely gambling addicts, not casual gamblers.

18-May-06. Edmonton an odds-on favourite for casino expansion. Edmonton Journal, G5.

The owners of an Edmonton casino are considering adding to their chain of casinos in Alberta and B.C.  Gateway Casino Income Fund operates six casinos in Western Canada, including Edmonton’s Palace Casino and five locations in British Columbia. The City of Edmonton is high on the company’s list of expansion locations according to the fund’s chief executive.

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.

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.