Discussions

We have been to the Casino in Carberry and bringing one here in Brandon would be super !!!

I am thinking we would be more like a Moose Jaw Casino vs Regina. Totally not the population like them. I see Regina brings in a lot of entertainment. Don't see anything for Moose Jaw having entertainment. The Regina is equivalent to Winnipeg. We would get some employment out of it along with a low balled tax equivalent payment in lieu of taxes. If any profits they would be to the 64 reserves in Manitoba.

Actually, compare a Brandon casino to the SIGA casinos (in Particular Northern Llights Prince Albert or the newest Gold Horse in Lloydminster as they would have a lot in common with Brandon:  
 
Similar size cities  
 
Is indigenous operated  
 
Offers a restaurant and lounge  
 
Offers FREE shuttle service  
 
Both within city limits  
 
Both offer entertainment such as musical acts like Bonnie Raitt, Neal McCoy, Tom Cochrane and comedy acts as well. Cultural dances, Thunder Down Under, and Golden Girls Puppet Shows....plenty of entertainment  
 
Both employ a great mix of indigenous and non indigenous people  
 
Both donate time and money to community events, and contribute to local economy like hotel stays and bus tours  
 
Both have convention facilities  
 
Both are in cities close to Brandon's size, and crime is no different than in Brandon (there is NOTHING that directly links crime to casino)  
 
Overall, this would be the best comparison.  
 
Edited by Khakz, 2019-01-21 21:52:22

I really don't think it matters what size of city we want to compare to. Lloydminster could be a comparable city but in the height of the oil boom it was a rich city. I think the casino was banking on that. This casino just opened last month. My sister was lucky enough to sell her place and move to Edmonton where the economy is a little more fair. With these casinos it would be interesting to see a breakdown of how each casino is operating. They combine all together so if one is losing money you would never know. I have nothing against indigenous casinos either. My only issue is why are they so gun ho on a casino as viewing it as a quick money maker for them? I don't understand where they push first rights to casinos, is it part of their culture? The Sand HIlls is loosing money every year. They need a couple million more to break even, then a few million more to pay the managing corporation which sees overall management of the casino.....according to what I read in past news articles. Now if they can get 100 million for a casino would that money not be best used for opening up indigenous businesses which in the long run would employ much more than a casino would?

Yes, please take the casino out of Carberry. Its just a giant room with a lot of VLT's and a few tables that likes to bring in a lot of crime.

Do you have any hard proof that crime in Carberry went up because of the casino? Any major crimes reported in the last 5 years were domestic in nature (meaning victim and suspect knew each other).  
 
This is going to sound racist, but it's the truth: if you have ever been to Sand Hills, you will notice 99 times out of 100 the players/customers are one of three groups: Asians, drunk young white guys who are home on their "work break", and seniors. I highly doubt they are the ones committing break/enters, assaults, and murders.  
 
The indigenous peoples at the casino are Employees...they are WORKING. By the way, there are Caucasian, Philippine, East Asian, and Hispanic employees, too. They hire a broad sector of our population.  
 
Seems people in Brandon are targeting the casino saying "it will just cause more crimes". In reality, it will give people who are bored a place to go. Crime is already in Brandon. It can't get any worse.  
 
As for the person whining about money laundering in Vancouver casinos...Casinos in BC and Alberta are privately owned by families or corporations. Most of those corporations are based or have ties to China. The money laundering in Vancouver was tied to Chinese enterprise. It had nothing to do with Canadian based gangs or drugs. If that casino didn't exist, they would have laundered it through bars/nightclubs, retail dollar stores or restaurants, or sports athletes. There was no stopping it from happening.

How does a Casino that is generally full of retired people, 10km from the nearest town, bring crime to Carberry?

It can stay where it is. For all those in favour get in your car ,drive downtown and look at all the dispair Or better yet volunteer your time at Helping Hands soup kitchen. Do you want to see more poverty? Let's fix our current problems before we create more. Peter.