New casino owners want liquor licence

The new owners of Vancouver’s struggling Edgewater Casino want gamblers to be able to have a drink while they play.

Nevada-based Paragon Gaming announced yesterday it had finalized a deal to buy the downtown casino. Now Paragon has a strategy to improve Edgewater’s lethargic performance, which will include applying for a liquor licence on the gaming floor.

“In most jurisdictions, people will identify the ability to have a drink and to game as going hand in hand,” said Yale Rowe, vice president of operations with Nevada-based Paragon Gaming. “We’re working with the city now to get our arms around what the best strategy is … we’ll be applying in short order.”

But it could be a controversial plan. Edgewater’s original owners didn’t seek a liquor licence when the casino first opened because of political sensitivities – the expansion of gambling and the introduction of Edgewater’s 500 slot machines has proven unpopular in some communities.

Edgewater averaged losses of $150,000 a week during its first year of operations. Its previous owners cited a lack of a gaming-floor liquor licence and parking and signage restrictions for its troubles.

The City of Vancouver has taken in $5.3 million in Edgewater revenues since the casino’s opening last February.

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Tags: vancouver, casinos, gambling, slot machines, edgewater, great canadian, paragon gaming