British Columbia Lottery Corp recently informed in a press release that last year the company obtained $2.4 billion in gross revenue, most of it from casinos. This announcement is only a part of the gambling growth the whole province has experienced in the last few months.

This boom has benefited charities and the provincial and municipal governments that received part of the profits. The River Rock Casino in Richmond holds the record for the biggest income, $233 million only during last year. Great Canadian Casinos, the company that owns the River Rock, is planning an expansion, in view of the success of gambling venues.

Last month, the casino operator purchased a property next to its View Royal complex, outside Victoria, with the aim to add more gambling space to the existing venue and offer players more features. Currently, the View Royal houses 437 slot machines and 24 table games.

Besides adding new games, Great Canadian intends to apply for a liquor license on the gaming floor, something for which they have already applied but were rejected. They may be lucky this time since half of the 20 casinos that operate in the province have authorization to sell alcohol on their floors.