Lottery vulnerable to abuse

If elected, Horgan to tackle online gaming
B.C. Lottery vulnerable to abuse, he says
By Ian Austin, The Province


B.C. NDP MLA John Horgan says he would unplug online gaming if elected B.C. premier.

Horgan, one of five candidates for the party leadership, said the B.C. Lottery Corporation's online gaming is particularly vulnerable to money laundering, fraud, and related crimes.

"British Columbia needs to focus on operating our current gaming activities in compliance with the law, and restoring trust with local communities, charities and non-profit organizations who have been left behind in the massive Liberal gaming expansion of the last 10 years," said Horgan.

"I will also immediately restore $30 million of funding to B.C.'s charities and non-profits."

The issue of gambling has returned to the forefront in Vancouver, where Paragon Gaming is applying to build a $500-million casino adjacent to B.C. Place Stadium.

An ongoing public hearing has drawn hundreds of outspoken residents to debate whether to permit the casino, which would be the largest in Western Canada.

Horgan, who if elected party leader would still need to defeat Christy Clark for the premiership, said he would order an independent review of the proposed new Vancouver casino.