No boozing and betting at B.C. casino

Acasino near Victoria won't be able to serve alcohol to gamblers, after having its bid for a liquor licencerejected unanimously by the View Royal town council Tuesday night.

The Great Canadian Casino Companyhad argued alcoholic drinks would simply be another amenity to "let patrons more fully enjoy the casino."

Mayor Graham Hill called the casino a good corporate citizen, but said he's concerned drinking might impair the judgment of gamblers.

"The question becomes 'Does the business benefit and the enhanced entertainment value merit the serving of alcohol?' Or does the presence of alcohol impair the gamblers' judgment to know their limits and play within their means?"

The majority of View Royal residents appear to agree. The town got 39 responses from people opposed to the liquor licence and only four in favor.

After the vote, Dale Perkins of the Greater Victoria Gambling Harm Reduction Coalition said he thought the councillors had made the right decision.

"Well, it takes a lot of courage to take a moral high ground on this one, and to respond ethically to the situation."

Several other B.C. municipalities are now allowing liquor to be served in casinos.