Plans to develop a $500m casino complex as part of BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, Canada, have been rejected by the city council.
The project, which has been led by Las Vegas-based Paragon Gaming, called for the integration of a casino featuring 1,500 slots and 150 table games, two hotels and a variety of other entertainment facilities within the stadium complex.
Despite reportedly receiving the backing of the provincial government, the BC Lottery Corporation and the BC Pavilion Corporation, which owns and operates BC Place, the proposals were dismissed by the city council on the grounds that the expansion of gaming would have damaging consequences.
"While we’re disappointed by the council’s decision, we continue to believe that a world-class hotel, dining, entertainment and gaming destination will benefit Metro Vancouver," Paragon’s spokesperson Tamara Hicks told InterGaming. "In the days and weeks ahead, we will explore our options for moving forward."
Paragon had planned to relocate its Edgewater Casino, the only casino in Vancouver, to the new site but following the council’s unanimous decision to reject the proposals, the future of the property is now in doubt.
