Canada: Delta denies casino-crime link

The city Delta rejected Richmond’s allegations about a correlation between a proposed casino hotel in Ladner and crime rates.

Canada.- A proposed casino hotel by Gateway has turned two British Columbian cities against each other: Delta and Richmond. After Richmond linked the proposal to a potential increase in crime rates, Delta’s Mayor Lois Jackson strongly denied a possible correlation between them.

“Correlating the presence of a casino in Delta to crime rates in Richmond would be similar to Delta attributing crime in South Delta to attractions in Richmond such as McArthurGlen Mall – which is currently expanding – Ironwood Shopping Centre or the Cineplex Movie Theatre. This is not an equal comparison whatsoever,” the city manager said in a letter to Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie.

Mayor Jackson also referred to Delta police’s claim that it didn’t expect the proposed casino to have an impact on police resources on any of the involved municipalities. Furthermore, a report by the BC Lottery Corporation also noted that most casinos in the area manage their problems effectively near the establishment, which leads to thinking that the Ladner facility won’t be any different.

The proposed casino is expected to be a “modest-sized” facility, much smaller than Richmond’s own River Rock Casino. It would include 500 slots and 24 tables at first, including another six e-tables, which could be increased after the city’s approval.