Parq Casino, located near BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, is proposing a significant expansion to its gaming floor. The casino operator, in collaboration with the BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC), has submitted applications to the City of Vancouver seeking approval to increase its slot machine count from 600 to 900. This request is scheduled to be discussed by the city council on February 3 as part of a “referral report.”

The expansion plan is part of a broader strategy to enhance the casino’s offerings and increase its contribution to the local economy. Parq has forecasted that the addition of 300 slot machines will attract approximately 305,000 new players over the next five years. This surge in patronage is expected to generate increased revenues, new employment opportunities, and provide additional entertainment benefits for an estimated 200,000 non-problem gamblers. The projected revenue boost is estimated to result in about $1 million of extra annual host city revenue in the first three years.

Policy Shifts and Approval Process

The proposed expansion comes after the Vancouver city council amended a 2011 moratorium on gambling in the city. The 2024 amendment allowed for the addition of more slots and table games at Parq Casino and Hastings Racecourse, a significant shift in policy that follows years of resistance to gambling growth. Parq, which operates in a building that includes a hotel and conference space, has room to expand and could eventually accommodate up to 1,200 slot machines.

However, the application also highlights potential concerns related to problem gambling. According to the BCLC’s Problem Gambling Severity Index, the casino expansion could lead to an increase in the number of patrons falling into low, moderate, or high-risk categories for gambling addiction. The report estimates that roughly 6,000 new players could be at risk over the next five years due to the expansion. As a result, the city staff recommends that any approval for the slot machine increase be contingent upon implementing additional mitigation measures and sustained monitoring.

Parq Casino, however, has made efforts to address these risks by implementing responsible gaming measures. According to North Shore News, these include staff training on appropriate responses to gambling issues, regular audits of its responsible gaming practices, an updated player health policy, and the presence of a “GameSense” information center on the casino floor to assist players with information about responsible gambling.

The expansion would also result in a boost to the city’s social responsibility fund, which currently receives $300,000 annually. Parq Casino contributes an additional $150,000 annually to the St. Paul’s Foundation, further underlining its commitment to community support. Municipalities with casinos like Vancouver receive 10% of the net gaming revenue generated, and in 2024, Vancouver received $6.1 million from Parq’s operations.

Potential Risks and Broader Impacts

However, the proposal raises concerns about the broader impacts of gambling expansion. Critics argue that the move could exacerbate social harms, including gambling addiction and the strain on public health services. Despite these concerns, the city staff acknowledges that Parq has taken steps to mitigate risks through its responsible gaming agreements and programs with BCLC.

Vancouver currently hosts nine casinos, with a total of 7,301 slot machines and 412 table games across the region. Other major casinos in the area include Grand Villa in Burnaby, which has the highest number of slots in Metro Vancouver, and River Rock in Richmond. With these figures in mind, the proposed expansion at Parq Casino could solidify its position as one of the top gaming destinations in the region.