INFORMATION BULLETIN
For Immediate Release 2002PSSG0016-000573 July 19, 2002		Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
NEW LAW IMPROVES MANAGEMENT, ACCOUNTABILITY OF GAMING

VICTORIA – A new law to strengthen and streamline the management of gaming in British Columbia and make it more accountable will come into effect on Aug. 19.

 

            The Gaming Control Act sets up a comprehensive framework for regulating and managing gaming in B.C. Under the new act, the gaming policy and enforcement branch will be responsible for policy, standards, regulation, registration, enforcement, gaming licences, horseracing and the distribution of gaming revenue.

 

            The B.C. Lottery Corp. will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of provincial gaming, including casinos, commercial bingo halls and lotteries. The new act repeals the Lottery Act, the Lottery Corporation Act and the Pacific Racing Association Act.

 

            Last fall, government consolidated five different gaming agencies into two: the gaming policy and enforcement branch and the B.C. Lottery Corp. The new act builds on those reforms by establishing one comprehensive act to oversee all areas of gaming in B.C.

 

            To look at an online version of the new gaming act, visit http://www.legis.gov.bc.ca/37th3rd/3rd_read/gov06-3.htm on the Internet.

 

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Contact:

 

Marg LeGuilloux

Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General

Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch

Communications

250 952-6652

Visit the province's Web site at http://www.gov.bc.ca/ for online information and services.