B.C. Lottery Annual Report Released
BRITISH COLUMBIA – As reported by the Richmond Review: "Public support for gaming in B.C. is dropping while casino-fueled revenues continue to steadily climb.
"Those are among the findings in the B.C. Lottery Corporation's annual report for 2005/06.
"…The report blames media coverage of casino gambling and increased casino advertising from operators both inside and outside the province.
"B.C. casinos raked in more than $1 billion from customers for the first year ever.
"Slot machine revenue led the way with $763 million, combined with $322 million from table games for a total of $1.08 billion—up 21 per cent from $892 million the previous year.
"The biggest single take was $215 million at Great Canadian Casinos' River Rock Casino in Richmond, where table games actually outperformed slots.
"…It was also the first year in B.C.'s history that casino gambling outstripped lotteries. The lottery branch trailed with $967 million in revenue for the year. Bingo raised $208 million…"