News Release
Hetherington Pledges to Keep Casino Out of Bingo Business
(Friday, July 28/2000)-- Councillor Bruce Hetherington pledged today to oppose any move by Casino Nova Scotia to obtain a bingo license for its new Halifax waterfront gaming operation.
The Woodside area Councillor has written to Dennis Kerr, Executive Director and CEO of the Nova Scotia Alcohol and Gaming Authority, claiming that the future of existing bingo games sponsored by various churches, service clubs and community organizations could be seriously and negatively impacted by such a move.
Councillor Hetherington said in the letter "As a citizen and a Member of Halifax Regional Council, I wish to register my strong opposition to such a proposal by Casino Nova Scotia.
"I believe that if the Authority were to approve such a request by this professional, for-profit international corporation, it would seriously and negatively impact on the many churches, service clubs and other community organizations that currently hold bingo licenses as a means of fund-raising for charitable and other community needs. The monies raised through these efforts provide our communities with many programs that they would otherwise have to do without, and often provide welcome help and relief for those in our communities who need it the most," he said.
Councillor Hetherington said that he would be actively campaigning in the next few weeks to gain as much support as possible in his District and others to oppose this request by Casino Nova Scotia.
In addition, he plans to raise the issue at the first meeting of Halifax Regional Council when it re-convenes next month following the summer recess. He will ask for Council support of a resolution to officially oppose this move by Casino Nova Scotia.
"The pool of money from which the many private charities and service clubs must draw upon is very limited in this municipality, and I believe there is no place in this pool for a professional gaming organization that has other regulated means and methods to earn profits," Councillor Hetherington said.
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Councillor Bruce Hetherington
(902) 488-4808
