Vancouver City Council Approves Parq Casino Slot Machine Expansion

Vancouver’s Parq Casino is set to increase its slot machine capacity from 600 to 900 after a narrow vote by the city council. The decision passed 5-4 during a public hearing on February 17. It follows a recent amendment to a long-standing moratorium on casino growth.

Both Parq and the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) submitted their request last year, citing a growing demand for gaming options in the city. BCLC President and CEO Patrick Davis emphasized that Vancouver’s gaming infrastructure has not kept pace with the city’s population growth, which has exceeded 20% over the past 15 years.

Parq Casino Expansion Details

The expansion will add 300 slot machines to Parq Casino, marking the largest increase since the venue opened in 2017.

The casino’s existing capacity for table games will remain unchanged at 75, and no new construction is necessary, as the facility has ample space to accommodate up to 1,200 slots within its 72,000 sq ft layout.

Davis highlighted that many local players are currently choosing to gamble outside of Vancouver due to limited options. “Many Vancouver players are leaving the city to play elsewhere because local casinos aren’t meeting expectations,” he stated.

Competitive Landscape in Vancouver’s Casino Market

Parq Casino is the only major gaming venue in downtown Vancouver, Canada, but it faces stiff competition from other casinos in the metropolitan area. For instance, Grand Villa in Burnaby boasts 1,300 slots, while River Rock in Richmond has 1,100, and Cascades in Langley offers 1,000.

BCLC estimates that 71% of gambling revenue from Vancouver residents is currently flowing to these external casinos. The city earned CAD6.1 million (US$4.4 million) from Parq in the fiscal year 2024-25. The casino anticipates that the expansion will generate an additional CAD1 million (US$731,000) annually for the next three years.

Concerns Over Gambling Harm and Social Impact

Despite the anticipated financial gains, the expansion has faced significant opposition. Unite Here Local 40, a union representing hospitality workers, submitted over 3,000 letters to the council. They expressed concerns about the potential for increased gambling addiction and social harm.

Dr. Mark Lysyshyn, a deputy chief medical health officer at Vancouver Coastal Health, criticized the lack of updated research on gambling-related harm. He warned that increasing the number of slot machines could worsen issues related to problem gambling.

Lysyshyn pointed out that British Columbia already has 22 casinos, questioning the need to add more slots in Vancouver. He argued that the expansion could lead to heightened risks of gambling addiction and associated social problems.