Since BCLC was established in 1985, it has focused on giving back to the people of B.C. In fact, revenue generated from lottery, casinos, community gaming centres, bingo halls, and online gambling through PlayNow.com goes directly back into communities to support healthcare, education and community programs.
Sponsoring community events
Every year, BCLC sponsors a number of community organizations and events across B.C.. It’s one of the ways the organization carries out its mission of giving back to B.C. residents.
Many of the events BCLC sponsors are calendar highlights for people near and far, drawing eager visitors along with local supporters and volunteers. One such event is the B.C. Highland Games and Scottish Festival, a popular event that brings pipe bands, highland dancing and much more to the City of Coquitlam.
Another event BCLC sponsors annually is the Columbia StrEAT Food Truck Fest in New Westminster. With more than 100 food vendors, local shopping and live entertainment, the StrEAT Food Truck Fest is considered the largest food truck festival in Canada.
For more than 25 years, BCLC has sponsored Music in the Park in Kamloops –a summer favourite for locals and tourists. Music in the Park is Canada’s longest-running music festival. It brings the community together to enjoy free outdoor entertainment and local food vendors every evening in July and August.
Funding for local priorities
In addition to sponsoring community events, BCLC also help support local needs and interests. Municipal and First Nation governments that host a casino or community gaming centre receive a 10 per cent share of the revenue generated by each facility in their community. Local governments can direct those funds according to their priorities, including to support community centres, recreation and health programs, cultural organizations, infrastructure upgrades, and more.
In the City of Coquitlam, for example, a portion of the funds for hosting Hard Rock Casino Vancouver is allocated to the Spirit of Coquitlam grant program. The Spirit of Coquitlam provides funds to community groups such as the Coquitlam Firefighters Charitable Society, which itself supports a range of local events and causes.
B.C.’s natural beauty is a big part of what makes the province so special. Funds from gambling have helped support the maintenance and construction of trails, parks, green spaces and nature reserves over the last 35 years. Among them are the Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park Pavilion in Prince George, Rotary Splash Park at George Little Park in Terrace, and Williams Lake Scout Island Nature Reserve, which supports conservation and education on local wildlife and habitat of the Central Interior.
Our colourful communities are part of what make life in B.C. so unique. BCLC is proud to be part of the community and thrilled to be one of many organizations that helps support local programs in the province.
