On June 17, 1999, the Province of BC signed an agreement with the B.C. Association for Charitable Gaming (BCACG). This contract provides a number of principles which should govern the relationship of these two entities. At the press conference this morning, MLA Spencer Herbert referred to this agreement and stated that it was still in effect. The BCACG also referenced this agreement in recent news stories, declaring that the BC government is not living up to its commitments.
Among other things, the agreement affirms the role of licenced charities as the sole beneficiaries of bingo gaming, including both paper and electronic bingo. It also offers a commitment of a minimum of $125 million annually, indexed annually at the rate of Vancouver CPI, with a formula that ensures charity entitlement to an amount, after retained bingo revenues, equal to 1/3 of ongoing government net community casino gaming revenue. And, it promises that the Province will consult in a meaningful way with charities in the development of gaming policy changes that may affect charities.