Whereas the Province of British Columbia received 1.4 billion dollars in 2018 from net gaming revenue, earned from lotteries, casinos and online gambling; And whereas the vast majority of local governments do not receive any share of the net gambling revenue realized from their local populations: Therefore be it resolved that the UBCM request the Province of British Columbia distribute to all BC local governments a 10 share of the net gambling revenue earned from lotteries and online gambling to all local governments on the basis of population.
Ministry of Attorney General Every year, commercial gambling generates revenue that the Government of BC invests in key services across the province, including health care and education, and a wide array of organizations representing arts and culture groups, sport, environment, public safety, human and social services, and parent advisory councils that make life better for British Columbians. The BC Lottery Corporation generated 1.4 billion in 201819. Of that, 983 million went to the provinces consolidated revenue fund which directly supports government projects and initiatives across BC An additional 147.2 million went to the Health Special Account to assist in funding Ministry of Health initiatives throughout the province. In 201718, the Province increased the annual funding allotment to the community gaming grants program from 135 million to 140 million. This funding is available to community groups anywhere in BC for eligible programs. Each year, local governments in BC that host a gaming facility receive a share of net gaming income generated by those facilities. In 201819, 32 host local governments across BC received 98.5 million to fund local projects and initiatives. Host local governments can use the revenue for any purpose that benefits the local community and must report annually to the Province on the expenditure of these funds. Revenue sharing is set out in signed contracts between the Province and host local governments. At this time, Government is not considering a change in the distribution of net revenue.