Correspondence from Matthew Ruhlman, TBC Teletheatre BC Re: Horse Racing Teletheatre

Establishing a Horse Racing Teletheatre in Elements Casino Victoria

Please accept this letter as our formal acknowledgement that TBC Teletheatre BC, (“TBC”) has received confirmation from Elements Casino Victoria, located at 1708 Island Hwy, regarding the installation of a Horse Racing Teletheatre in their establishment that would include approved pari-mutuel wagering.

TBC was established in 1994 and is a partnership between Fraser Downs at Elements Casino Surrey, Hastings Racecourse, and the two Horsemen’s Associations in BC, (the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, HBPA, and Harness Racing BC, HRBC), and is the entity authorized by the Province to operate Teletheatre wagering in BC.

The Horse Racing Teletheatre would be an ancillary entertainment option incorporated into Elements Casino Victoria, and is comprised of 12 TV’s showcasing live horse racing broadcasts, self-serve wagering terminals to transmit the wagers to the Host Racetrack, a terminal for cashing out winning tickets, and an automated kiosk for printing racing forms and programs.

We currently have 17 locations throughout British Columbia, including Teletheatres located on Vancouver Island in Duncan and Nanaimo. We previously had a location in the Victoria area from 1994-2018, when the facility we were located in was sold.

I have attached the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch, (“GPEB”) policy that TBC must adhere to when applying for a Teletheatre License from the provincial government. Please note the distinction made between a Teletheatre that is a stand-alone facility and a Teletheatre that is to be operated within an existing business, as in this instance. For this type of establishment, all we require from the municipality is to provide GPEB with a letter as noted in point 3: “Provide written confirmation of the approval of the host local government (municipality, regional district or First Nation), or its representative, that has authority over land use planning at the location.”

If the Town is in agreement, I would respectfully request a letter be prepared with confirmation that the Town of View Royal approves of Elements Casino Victoria hosting a Horse Racing Teletheatre.

If the Town is amenable to this request, I will forward the Town’s letter of approval to the Assistant Deputy Minister and General Manager of GPEB.

Please contact me at your convenience if you require further information.

Sincerely,

Matthew Ruhlman General Manager TBC Teletheatre BC Suite #220 17667 65A Ave. Surrey, B.C. V3S 1Z8 Cell: 604.996.2511 Phone: 604.574.6900 Email: mruhlman@thebettingcompany.com

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Policy: Establishing, Relocating or Substantially Changing a Teletheatre

• These requirements are established under the authority of the Gaming Control Act and Gaming Control Regulation, and are effective January 13, 2006.
• Under section 46 of the Act, the General Manager, Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch, issues horse racing licences for the operation of both race tracks and horse racing teletheatres.
• Approval for the establishment, relocation or substantial change of a horse racing facility (racetrack or horse racing teletheatre) is granted by the General Manager, as part of the licensing process.
• It is a condition of the licence that the licensee fully complies with all other enactments and bylaws, and has and maintains all other permits and/or licenses that may be required.

Process and Requirements

An applicant wishing to establish, relocate or substantially change a teletheatre must:

1. Apply in writing and include such information and documentation that the General Manager considers relevant to the request, including but not limited to: a) The address of the proposed teletheatre; b) The proposed commencement date; and c) The nature and scope of horse racing wagering proposed to take place at the facility.
2. Satisfy the branch’s registration requirements, if any, including the requirements for proposed gaming services providers or gaming workers.
3. Provide written confirmation of the approval of the host local government (municipality, regional district or First Nation), or its representative, that has authority over land use planning at the location.

If a stand-alone facility is being established, relocated or substantially changed, the information in 3 above must include:

a) A resolution in writing from the host local government approving the location, relocation or substantial change; b) Evidence that it has sought and considered adequate community input; and c) Evidence that it has consulted with all potentially affected local governments within a five kilometre radius of the facility, including a summary of that consultation and copies of any correspondence from those potentially affected local governments in favour of or opposing the proposal.

Within 30 days of the completion of all relevant requirements, the General Manager will decide whether to approve the establishment, relocation or substantial change of the teletheatre, and if approved, will issue (or re-issue) a licence upon such terms and conditions as the General Manager deems appropriate. Changes to the scope or nature of the teletheatre beyond what is licensed will require further approval by the General Manager.*

* Licences issued after the effective date of this Policy will confirm maximum thresholds as to the size or scope of the teletheatre, if any. Expansion or modifications beyond those limits must be referred to the branch for consideration and approval.

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