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Gambling Foe Fights Slots in Vancouver

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – As reported by the BC Newspaper Group: "Moral crime. That's how Bill Chu perceives gambling.

"And the founder of the Multicultural Coalition Against Gambling Expansion sees slot machines as the most guilty corrupters.

"…And while Vancouver has remained slot-free (unlike other Lower Mainland municipalities including Richmond, New Westminster, Burnaby and Coquitlam), Chu sees increasing pressure from the provincial government and `gambling forces' putting that status at risk.

"With two applications before council asking for 600 slot machines each at the Plaza of Nations and Hastings Racecourse, council is having to review its long-standing `no-slots' policy. "I think council could be manipulated by gambling forces," says Chu. "And if council listens to those forces instead of citizens, then democracy is lost-and that's a scary thought."

"…And Chu doesn't buy the argument that slots bring more dollars into the community through charitable access grants from the B.C. Lottery Corporation.

"…`Okay, for every $100,000 lost, four per cent goes back to the community. But people have to lose that $100,000 first.'…"

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