Government has ripped off million$ that should have gone to community charities ---on Wednesday Christy verbalized they plan to continue

A report entitled “Charitable gaming in revenue” in Alberta shows gaming revenues received paid to charities in that province, amounted to $325 million for 2009 / 2010

Meantime, in BC? 

A portion of a news release, entitled “Government receives independent report “ on the BC government newsroom website from October 31, 2011 states:
“… Premier Christy Clark appointed Triplett to conduct an independent review and develop options for the Province on how to improve the governance and funding formula for gaming grants. In 2010-11, government distributed $135 million - including an additional one-time increase of $15 million - in these grants to approximately 6,000 groups throughout British Columbia.”

The quick study notes for above are:

Alberta gives … $325 million

BC currently gives … $135 million* 

* in 1998 /99, approximately $161 million was distributed to charitable organizations.

There are MANY people who do NOT agree with me … but I have a hard time with government being in the gaming business.  I have issue with the heavy advertising campaigns that work to have people spend more and more money, on something that offers little or no return of anything tangible.  

The millions and millions that go into lotteries and casinos annually, means less money being spent in the greater economy with people buying and purchasing things for the home, family, on recreation, on vehicles, etc.   

These are things that truly grow the economy – and that create jobs.

But here’s another issue I have; big casinos ended most small-time fund raising by local charities and organizations.  Local groups and organizations of course are closest to the community – and know the needs of the community.  Instead they now end up begging for a miniscule share of the amount the provincial government returns to charities and organizations from gaming revenues they receive.

WORSE STILL … government is not paying up what they promised.  That was to be ONE THIRD of the revenues received.