British Columbia Lottery Corporation to cut jobs

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported Friday that the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, which operates online gambling as well as the provincial lottery, is to retrench 67 members of staff in a cost-cutting drive.

The paring will wherever possible be achieved through normal attrition and voluntary retirements in the Vancouver and Kamloops offices of the BCLC, the company announced.

Citing flattening revenue figures as more gamblers move online, the company says the moves are regrettable but necessary if the organisation is to cut $20 million in operating costs and $20 million from capital costs in order to sustain current net income.

Interim president Jim Lightbody said: “We have a systemic issue that all gaming jurisdictions are facing and that is a mature marketplace with rising operating costs and marginal revenue growth.”

Lightbody added that the future of gambling is online, as games of chance move away from casinos and onto smartphones.

“We now actually provide the e-gaming services for the province of Manitoba,” he noted.

Problem gambling experts voiced concerns that the job cuts may involve responsible gaming staff. NDP MLA Shane Simpson asked for details on the jobs that likely to be effected, saying:

“Make sure you’re not trimming on the side that helps you achieve issues of social responsibility.”

Lightbody insisted social responsibility remains a key commitment, but declined to provide specifics on the job cuts

“All sort of levels, all sorts of departments were affected,” he said.