Treasure Cove Casino was in the money during the last fiscal year.
Gamblers spent $55.7 million during 2011-12, up 3.5 per cent, or by slightly more than $2 million over the previous fiscal year, according to the B.C. Lottery Corporation's annual report, released Thursday.
Casino owner John Major credited an improving local economy for the outcome and noted hotel occupancy and the number of passengers going through the Prince George Airport have also been on the rise.
Broken down, $44.1 million was spent on the casino's 540 slot machines and electronic table games, nearly $9.4 million on bingo, which houses 633 seats, and $1.9 million on the poker and blackjack tables.
The city, in turn, received $2.6 million in revenue sharing, up about $71,000 from the previous year.
In 2010-11, the figures were $42.6 million from 501 slots, $8.9 million for bingo and $2.1 million on poker and blackjack for $53.7 million in total. That was a $3-million or 6.1-per-cent increase over 2009-10 when revenue hit a five-year low of $50.7 million.
Most of the increase in 2010-11 was due to a $2-million rise in bingo revenues, to $8.9 million, after the ill-fated Chances Good Time Prince George was closed in June 2010, slightly more than a year after it was opened, and the game was moved from downtown to Treasure Cove.
A provincial ban on smoking indoors and a less-cozy atmosphere were blamed when revenue from bingo took a $4.4-million freefall in Prince George between 2007-08 and 2008-09.
Chances has since been converted into the Commonwealth Health Centre and a 36-unit seniors development is under construction next door.
The 2009-10 total was the lowest since 2004-05 when $47 million in revenue was generated. It was the third straight year of declining revenue after a peak of $66.3 million in 2005-06.
All totals are after prizes are paid out.
Earlier this month, city council endorsed an application to the liquor control and licensing branch to expand the casino's liquor license to the slot and gaming areas as well as the poker room.
Major predicted the move will have only a minimal affect on revenue and the step was taken to address ongoing comments from patrons who are currently restricted to the show lounge and cafe areas if they have a drink in hand.
"They want to take it out to a machine or a table and we say, 'oh, sorry, you can't,' and they all say, 'well, in most of the casinos in BC and Alberta, you can, why can't we do it here?'" Major said. "It's just purely for better customer service and convenience for the customer, but I don't think it will really have an effect on the numbers and that. I think the economy is far more important."
The change, pending final approval from the liquor branch, would increase the total number of alcohol service seats to 1,216 from 257. The hours of liquor sale would not change, remaining from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. None of the additions are for outdoor areas.
