New casino approved for Delta near Massey Tunnel

The B.C. Lottery Corporation has approved a new 500-slot-machine casino for the city of Delta.

The Cascade Casino Delta, operated by Gateway Casinos and Entertainment Ltd., will be built on the old Delta Town & Country Inn site beginning in early 2019, with the casino expected to open mid-2020.

Delta city council, which provided its final approval to the project in May, recommended the Delta Town and Country Inn, just south of the Massey Tunnel, as the only suitable site — it is far from residential neighbourhoods but close to major transportation corridors — for a gambling and entertainment facility.

The City of Richmond, Delta’s municipal neighbour, filed an objection to the location with BCLC expressing concerns about possible increases in crime and traffic congestion, but an independent mediator concluded in an Oct. 15 report that Richmond failed provide supporting documentation to substantiate its concerns.

“I am unable to conclude that Richmond has demonstrated it will incur significant costs as a result of the proposed casino,” wrote mediator Simon Margolis.

The casino, which will have 24 table games and six electronic table games, will also include a 124-room hotel, restaurants and meeting space.

Gateway Casinos said the $70-million project will provide up to 700 new jobs in Delta.

The city received a 10 per cent share of gambling profits generated at the casino, which Gateway expects will be $1.5 million to $3 million annually.