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BCLC to evaluate Saanich and Victoria to host a potential gambling facility

23/06/2016

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The District of Saanich and the City of Victoria have responded to the second phase of BCLC’s Expression of Interest (EOI) process to determine a preferred host local government for a gambling facility in the Greater Victoria area. BCLC’s evaluation team, overseen by a third-party fairness monitor, will now evaluate the responses.

Both municipalities were given until June 23, 2016, to provide additional information related to preferred locations, zoning requirements and timelines to assist with BCLC’s final evaluation.

The EOI process was launched in October 2015 with six local governments to determine gaming interest in their communities. On December 11, 2015, BCLC received Expressions of Interest from the City of Victoria, District of Saanich, Township of Esquimalt, Esquimalt First Nation and Songhees First Nation. The District of Oak Bay declined.

In April 2016, BCLC announced that Saanich and Victoria tied for the highest score in the first phase of the evaluation process and would proceed to a second phase. BCLC will announce the selected preferred host local government in the coming weeks, once the evaluation is complete.

BCLC respects the authority of local governments to choose whether they want a gaming facility in their community.

Further information on the EOI process and the identified market opportunity in Greater Victoria is available on our website.