Overview
The Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch regulates all gaming in British Columbia, ensures
the integrity of gaming industry companies, people and equipment, and investigates allegations
of wrongdoing. This includes regulatory oversight of the
British
Columbia Lottery Corporation
(which conducts and manages lotteries, casinos, community gaming centres and commercial bingo halls),
B.C.'s horse racing industry and licensed gaming events. The Branch also manages responsible and problem
gambling programs and distributes gaming funds to community organizations.
As part of its regulatory and accountability framework, GPEB encourages open,
full and public access to certain types of gaming records. This is consistent
with both the spirit and provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection
of Privacy Act (FOIPPA).
However, disclosure of information must not compromise the privacy of
workers, service providers and others involved in the gaming industry. To
protect personal and corporate information, disclosed records may be severed as per FOIPPA.
Policy objectives
The objectives of GPEB's Access to Information Policy are to ensure:
- Ease and certainty of access by making certain types of information
routinely available to the public;
- A timely and cost-free alternative to formal information requests
under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA);
- The policy is applied in a manner that is considerate and protective of
the personal privacy of individuals;
- Certain business interests of a third party or public body are protected
from disclosure in accordance with FOIPPA; and
- The integrity of gaming in British Columbia is maintained.
Disclosure exceptions
The publication of certain information contained in Branch files could
compromise the integrity of the gaming industry, risking harm to business,
personal privacy and/or gaming investigations.
The disclosure of GPEB records is consistent with the Freedom of Information
and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA), decisions of the Information and Privacy
Commissioner, and legal and policy advice to the Branch.
The following sections of FOIPPA
give authority to the majority of exceptions
to disclosure in records identified by GPEB for routine release:
- Law Enforcement, Section 15
- Personal Privacy, Section 22
- Financial or Economic Interest of Public Body, Section 17
- Business Interests of a Third Party, Section 21
Personal information
Personal information will only be disclosed in accordance with
the privacy provisions of FOIPPA.
Personal information is any recorded information about an identifiable
individual, other than business contact information. Here are some examples:
- Name, address, and telephone number
- Age, sex, race, religion
- Sexual orientation
- Disability
- Fingerprints or blood type
- Health care history
- Educational, financial, criminal, or employment history
Routinely released records
The Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch routinely releases various documents
and records to the public. Among these are the Branch business plan; the legislation
and regulations, policies, standards and directives used to regulate gaming in the
province; audit reports and lists showing the distribution of gaming revenue to community organizations and local
governments.
The documents and records mentioned above can be viewed on the following pages:
The documents on the pages above are available for downloading; however, some information may be
severed to protect personal and business information of a third party, as required
by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA).
NOTE:
GPEB is continually
developing records for public disclosure. Planned disclosures
include an electronic registry of gaming registrants (business
and individual) and technical standards documents for certifying
gaming equipment.
Freedom of information (FOI)
For more information about freedom of information in B.C., visit the following website:
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