Gaming minister Rich Coleman said the possibility of a casino in Langley Township is remote to non-existent.

"I know there's been some musings about it, but that's all it is, musings," Coleman told the Langley Advance this week.

The musings came from B.C. Lottery Corporation president Michael Graydon, who publicly criticized Surrey's Mayor Diane Watts after her council voted down a proposed casino in South Surrey.

Graydon went on to suggest South Delta or South Langley as possible locations for a casino.

Coleman, the Liberal MLA for Fort Langley-Aldergrove, said it is highly unlikely that another casino could be built in this region.

Langley City's Cascades Casino was first debated almost a decade ago, ultimately being approved by the City while being hotly opposed by the Township.

"I'm pretty sure a second one [casino] couldn't be supported in that population area," Coleman said.

Surrey's population is more than 470,000, while the two Langleys together are perhaps 130,000 right now.

Coleman also had the same reaction as Township Mayor Jack Froese to suggestions that South Langley could host a casino.

Last week, Froese said the Township would listen to any proposals for a casino - but doubted that anyone would want a casino in residential Brookswood. The rest of South Langley is almost entirely part of the agricultural land reserve, and remains active farms or sizeable acreages, along with parks.

"It's just not going to happen," said Coleman.

Froese also said that, while he's said he would listen to ideas if asked, he hasn't even been asked. Graydon hasn't contacted Froese about any casino ideas.

"He hasn't called me," said Froese.

The mayor said he's heard through the grapevine that there's no appetite for putting a casino in North Langley.

Despite the strong opposition from the Township in 2002 and 2003 when Langley City was debating its own casino, at least one casino opponent has switched sides.

Coun. Kim Richter opposed the City's bid, but now says she'd consider the Township getting its own gaming centre.

Increasing property taxes over the past few years has caused the change of heart, Richter said.

"There has to be a limit to property tax increases," Richter said.

She said that a location around 200th Street and the highway interchange would be her preferred spot for any possible casino.

Richter opposed the notion of building a casino at the Langley Events Centre.

mclaxton@langleyadvance.com