2011 in Review: Vancouver Gambling Opposition

Unrest drove Vancouver politics in 2011
Cup riot, Occupy Vancouver, casino protests rocked city hall
By Mike Howell, Staff writer

A mega casino proposal, a hockey riot and an international protest movement were all tied to Mayor Gregor Robertson and his 10 city councillors.

But first a look back to the spring and Las Vegas-based Paragon Gaming’s proposal to build a mega casino adjacent to B.C. Place Stadium. From the outset, many city hall watchers predicted city council would rubber stamp the proposal that was first announced by former premier Gordon Campbell.

But after a marathon session of public hearings, all bets were off on a predictable outcome. A strong lobby by grassroots group Vancouver Not Vegas! , which attracted a wide array of prominent Vancouverites, countered an organized push from casino employees. Council voted unanimously to quash the proposal for 1,500 slot machines and 150 games tables. It, however, left the door open for Paragon to move its casino licence from Edgewater Casino at the Plaza of Nations to the property adjacent to B.C. Place Stadium.

So what possibly can the news gods have in store for 2012 that will erase memories of burning police cars, protest camps and mega casinos?