It took well over two hours last night for Abbotsford residents to have their say about whether Chances should be able to add more slot machines.
Most of the 3 dozen speakers at the public hearing were in favour.
Graham Taylor said gaming is legal in this province and people will go spend their money in other communities if there aren’t enough machines here.
“Restricting and possibly denying the additional slot operations in our local gaming centre will not stop those people in our society with a gambling problem. For those of you on council that I voted for, and like others probably in this audience, we elected you to manage our city’s operations and funds…not our moral compass.”
Aird Flavelle voiced concern about Council getting involved in the expansion of a business.
“By what right do you do that? Are you trying to use your moral conduct, your moral codes to impose them upon me…upon this business? Your worship, this is none of your business. It’s not something you should be considering. It’s a business…it works. Keep your morals to yourself.”
About half a dozen spoke against the application. Evelyn Budzinski said gambling can be very addictive.
“It’s more addictive than crack cocaine is, and machines are intentionally set up this way. Machines are set up for speed and reward…more than 10 games per minute. Also, the hypnotic nature…the lights, the sound and the speed.”
Next Monday the application will come up on the agenda for more debate.
The current application gives a maximum of 300 machines, although BCLC has only authorized Chances to add 50 to their current stable of 125.