...and were boosted by receipts from bingo halls, many of which were just retrofitted with slot machines.
The receipts were a massive windfall for the British Columbia government of $1.1 billion, even after major payouts for prize money.
Online poker, slots popular
The sales figures are also an indicator of a trend in gaming , according to Robin Cook, a spokeswoman for the British Columbia Lottery Corp. "With offerings like online poker, and offline slots, people aren't as attracted to traditional games."There was, in fact, a bit of a reduction in purchases of other lottery games in British Columbia, including Super Seven and 6/49. Revenues from lottery tickets were $976.9 million, slightly less than had been expected, at $1 billion.
Profits were $263.9 million, according to the British Columbia Lottery Corp.
"The gaming entertainment business has become increasingly competitive and complex," said the spokeswoman. "There's competition from neighboring gaming jurisdictions, changing consumer needs, and Internet gaming, as well as rapidly evolving technologies. There's also a shortage in skilled labor for casinos."
The company's strategy is focusing on building high-quality casinos, and adding even more slots in the future. This includes casinos at Hastings Racecourse Casino, as well as the Starlight Casino and the Treasure Cove Casino .
"The revitalization of commercial bingo gaming gained ground with the opening of seven new community gaming centers," said the spokeswoman.
The province of British Columbia has 30 bingo halls now, but only 12 have slots today. That's going to grow, and that should push revenues even higher in the next year, the spokeswoman said.
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