The relocation of Quebec City’s gaming hall to a new area is projected to cost about CA$10 million of public money and some elected officials seem to disagree with this move. Liberal MP André Fortin recently pointed out that the decision to move the gaming hall to Beauport is “completely incomprehensible” at the moment.
Loto-Québec recently announced the relocation of its Salon de Jeux located in Vanier district. It is about to move to its new home in Beauport late next year. Projections are that this could happen around the end of November 2021. The distance between the two spots is about 10 kilometers which has managed to stir the pot on a regional level.
Relocation Costs
This week was a special one for the Quebec City region, as it saw the news that the gaming hall in Vanier district will be relocated to a brand new area ultimately seeking player protection. The move would guarantee a whole new audience of players making their way to the video lottery terminals coming with it and it will potentially protect the vulnerable audience currently engaging in VLT gambling.
The Liberals had some thoughts to share on the subject of relocation putting matters into perspective. MP Fortin pointed out that the public money that will be invested in this move seems to aim to meet a previous promise made by François Legault. Back in 2018, Coalition Avenir Québec commenced a conversation around its expansion and transformation into a well-rounded casino location.
This idea was eyed as a possible magnet for tourists and people ready to try their luck at the brand new casino in the capital. At this point in the conversation, it is clear that the gaming hall will not expand into a casino venue, but instead, it will keep all of its VLTs and move them to a new venue. Members of the Coalition Avenir Québec have not made a statement regarding the relocation yet.
Salon de Jeux Quebec City
Fleur-de-Lys shopping center is the current home of this Salon de Jeux but the area is known for its unprivileged residents that end up pouring their money into the gaming hall. This has been the case ever since 2014. Last week saw the publication of a 50-page study on the potential impact gaming expansion could have on the Charlevoix area.
According to it, the gaming hall will have to remain unchanged following its relocation when it comes to its offerings, while the area of the new venue would have to be subjected to a revitalization project of sorts. Some 335 video lottery terminals are about to see new players interact with them.
Further information on what the Crown corporation plans to do will be announced in the upcoming months ahead of the official relocation that will happen in November 2021. Salon de Jeux’s new home in Beauport is going to be a former Future Shop in Mega Center Beauport near the Cinéplex Odéon.
