BCLC Self-Exclusion Program Toothless

(Aired on July 27, 2010)

B.C. Lottery Corporation has a self-exclusion program which is designed to keep problem gamblers out of casinos. Critics of the program say it doesn't work, and two lawsuits currently being initiated point out the problem.

One man is suing because he claims he was denied a lottery jackpot after signing up for the program. Yet he claims he was able to enter a casino over and over without being asked to leave. Another is suing because she says she was able to lose $330,000 over three years despite enrolling herself in the program.

The program doesn't seem to have much power to stop people from going into casinos. There is no way casino operators can identify those enrolled in the program. I suppose if a person is known to staff and known to be in the program, they should have some onus to keep that person out. But the details of the program are somewhat unclear. Interesting to note that when I went online this morning to get some background on the program, the BCLC site told me the page on the self-exclusion program was no longer available.

Perhaps we should look to other areas of the world where everyone who enters a casino has to show ID. If such ID were scanned, then those registered in the self-exclusion program could be flagged and asked to leave. Some would claim that's an invasion of privacy, and gives the government access to information on everyone who goes to a casino. There are some definite privacy issues involved in that scenario. But outside of that, I don't know what can be done to prevent people from gambling.

It's a serious problem, and needs to be addressed, but simply registering for a self-exclusion program that seems to have no teeth may provide false hope for people trying to deal with their addiction. But in reality, how much should BCLC be required to do? Let's face it, they can't be the police, and people have to take responsibility for their addictions and get help.

I guess the unfortunate part of these scenarios is that they thought they were getting it by signing up for this program, a program that really doesn't seem to offer much in the way of a solution at all.

What to do with $50-million

(Aired on July 23, 2010)

What would you do with $50-million? 

The Lotto Max draw will take place in about a half an hour.  The jackpot is back up to $50-million, and with multiple spinoff million dollar prizes thrown in for good measure.  And even though it may not be smart to come within shouting distance of anything connected to BCLC right now, I must admit, I've bought a ticket.  I only tend to buy tickets when the prize is obscenely large - which doesn't make sense, I know, but leave me be.

Buying a ticket gives you license to dream.  It's like voting gives you license to dream about good government.  Just the other day, the people in the office were fantasizing about what they would do if they won the big prize.  Would you keep working?  Most people wouldn't.  Of course everyone would help out friends and family, and make sure the people they care about are taken care of.  How much would you donate to charity, and to which causes would you donate?  How would you protect yourself from people trying to take advantage of you?

And finally, how much would instant wealth change the actual substance of your life?  I look at friends and acquaintances in upper income brackets, and it quickly becomes evident that money doesn't solve all of a person's problems.  There is as much misery and unrest among the rich as there is anywhere. 

So to the person who wins the big prize tonight - or whenever its awarded - try to keep some perspective.  And if you'd like, I'd be willing to discuss this further, for a small fee.

Kamloops a Good Place for a Headquarters?

(Aired on May 13, 2010)

The provincial headquarters for forest fire fighting was officially opened in Kamloops today.  Starting this year, all co-ordination of forestry fire suppression operations in the province will take place out at Fulton Field.  This, of course, only makes sense. But give credit where credit is due; the provincial government finally did something that makes sense.

Kamloops - in the heart of the province and a major transportation hub - really should be more of a base of operations than it already is.  We've already spoken about oversight of Royal Inland Hospital being transferred to Kelowna.  While that may not be as much of an issue as first feared, it's not a great omen either.  And what really concerns me is the situation over at the BC Lottery Corporation.  Kamloops is still the headquarters for BCLC.  That hasn't changed.  What has changed is the location of its leader.

When Michael Graydon was hired to lead the Lotto corporation, the initial thought was of course that he would move to Kamloops.  It hasn't happened.  Graydon still essentially works in Richmond.  It's curious, really.  After all, why would the president and CEO not reside and work in the same city as the headquarters?  In fact, what is a headquarters if not the place where the leader is?  While there's nothing more than this situation to substantiate it, my gut tells me if it's allowed to continue like this, the BCLC home base is not long for Kamloops.

Maybe it's a good thing I'm not a betting man.