ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: April 28, 2000

Author: M. Lee/6034

RTS No. 1475
CC File No. 1254

Council: May 16, 2000

TO: Vancouver City Council

FROM: City Clerk

SUBJECT: Council's participation at 11th International Conference on Gambling in Las Vegas, Nevada - June 13-15, 2000

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council authorize Councillor Jennifer Clarke to attend and participate in the 11th International Conference on Gambling and Risk-Taking in Las Vegas, Nevada, at a cost of $1,650.

CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The City Manager submits the foregoing for Council's CONSIDERATION.

COUNCIL POLICY

Council's travel policy, approved July 31, 1992, requires Council approval for travel within North America.

PURPOSE

This report requests approval for Councillor Jennifer Clarke to attend and participate in the 11th International Conference on Gambling and Risk-Taking from June 13-15, 2000, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

DISCUSSION

The International Conference on Gambling and Risk-Taking is a tri-annual event organized by the Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming, University of Nevada, Reno. The Conference objective is to stimulate research and facilitate discussion and debateabout gambling and commercial gaming in modern societies. The Conference brings together a broad array of experts; researchers, academics, industry representatives, government officials and care- givers from throughout the world.

The 11th International Conference on Gambling and Risk-Taking will address the issues of:

Economic Impacts, Social Impacts, Public Policies, Regulatory Structures, Marketing and Finances, Psychology of Risk Behaviour, Addiction Theory, Problem Gambling and Treatment, Mathematical and Quantitative Analysis of Gambling Games and Wagering Opportunities.

Conference organizers have extended an invitation to the City of Vancouver to participate in and contribute to these symposiums through a panel discussion entitled: "Political Conflict Between Provincial and Local Government: Canadian Perspectives". The panel discussion will count with representatives from Ontario and Alberta. Councillor Clarke's participation will focus on the Vancouver experience in British Columbia. A representative from Social Planning has been confirmed as a moderator for the panel discussion.

A copy of the Conference's Program is on file in the Social Planning Department.

The cost of attendance for Councillor Clarke is estimated at $1,650.00. This cost involves registration fee, airfare, ground transportation, hotel and per diem. The conference registration fee was reduced by 65% because of the City's participation as moderator and panelist. The funds are available in Council's travel account.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver