Bingo news
Bingo Hall Recently Converted into Community Gaming Center Looks to Gain Slot Machine Profits
On January 7, 2007, one of the well-known bingo establishments in Langley, British Columbia, decided that it is worthy of taking a part of slot machine profits too.
Bingo games in Langley have been in steady decline over the last few years, mainly because of the opening of the Cascades Casino in 2005. Playtime Community Gaming Inc. sees this as a good time to reverse the ongoing slump and keep the charitable money that supports 48 members of the Langley Association for Bingo in the community. Just last week, Playtime Community Gaming Centers Inc. announced that they are applying to transform the Langley Bingo Hall into a Community Gaming Center (CGC), a new concept created by the B.C. Lottery Corporation to lend the Bingo Industry a hand and ensure the uninterrupted flow of money to local charities. It combines both traditional paper bingo and electronic bingo games with other electronic games, like slot machines.
Playtime Gaming has already spent around $1.2 million on renovating the bingo hall, located at 19664 64 Avenue, including high-class facilities that are reserved for entertainment and serving food. The group said that not only will the gaming expansion allow them to continue supporting non-profit groups in the area, but Langley Township will receive $1 million in annual profits from their 125 slot machines.
According to Township Administrator, Mark Bakken, the application will require the township to overhaul their regulatory scheme in order for them to be in compliance with the transformation of the bingo hall into a community gaming center. The Township's dislike of the Langley City Casino has been well-recorded and according to the Township Councilor, not much will change. She is also apprehensive that the transition from bingo palace to community gaming center will help the casino strengthen their presence in the Township.
Ms. Richter added that since both the sports activities and the arts are already receiving government money from gambling profits, she cannot see the merits of having slots machine in their area. An email showing the application was sent to Councilor Justin Muir, the Executive Director of the Langley Arts Council, which in turn supports Playtime Gaming's Plans.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Danny Hudson