In less than two decades, the Canadian gaming industry has become one of the largest entertainment sectors in the country, and B.C. is helping to lead that growth.
According to a Canadian Gaming Association economic impact study published Wednesday, B.C.’s 17 casinos account for the majority of revenue in the provincial gaming industry, which also includes lottery and bingo.
Since 1995, the B.C. gaming industry has grown from approximately half a billion dollars in annual revenue to more than $2 billion today.
Across Canada, legalized gaming has nearly tripled in size since 1995 to $15.1 billion in gaming win last year.
The study also found the industry supports 128,000 full-time jobs across Canada, and generates $12.5 billion in labour income and $8.7 billion annually for government, community programs and charity initiatives.
“The Canadian gaming industry has a significant stake in the hospitality industry in this country,” commented Bill Rutsey, president and CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association.
“In the past 15 years we’ve seen tremendous investment across Canada to turn gaming facilities into entertainment destinations, which has generated not just economic benefits for the provinces but employment opportunities as well.”
In addition to casinos, B.C. is also home to two horse racetracks, 4,050 retail lottery outlets and 28 bingo halls.
The River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond is B.C.’s largest casino, based on revenue, raking in some $260 million in 2010, according to Business in Vancouver’s annual list of the biggest casinos and bingo halls in B.C.
Joel McKay
@jmckaybiv