B.C. Lottery Corporation sued for allegedly taking casino cash
Gaming corporation claims BCLC took $18M from coffers despite years of protest
One of B.C.'s biggest casino companies is suing the B.C. Lottery Corporation for more than $18 million.
In a B.C. Supreme Court notice of civil claim, Great Canadian Gaming — which operates Great Canadian Casinos — claims BCLC took money intended for a trust account years after agreeing to stop collecting the cash.
Great Canadian claims to have been protesting the issue for years.
"BCLC has refused or neglected to cease collecting [the money]," the lawsuit reads. "BCLC has no contractual or other legal entitlement to any of the [money] it has collected."
Agreement terminated
The lawsuit centres around a marketing trust account agreement that once existed between BCLC and casino companies with more than 300 slot machines.
The companies were required to contribute money used to fund programs which promoted casinos in a socially responsible manner.
According to the lawsuit, BCLC terminated the agreement in 2009 with these words: "there are no further requirements for Great Canadian Casinos Inc. to make contributions."
But Great Canadian claims it discovered BCLC was still continuing to collect 0.6 per cent of its revenues after the termination letter.
The company says it asked BCLC to stop collecting the money in 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014 — to no avail.
As of Dec. 31, 2014, Great Canadian claims BCLC has taken $18 million.
BCLC spokesman Chris Fairclough says the corporation is "disappointed" with Great Canadian's decision but won't comment further while the case is before the courts..
Great Canadian has also refused to comment. None of the claims have been proven in court.