Slots are coming to Chilliwack.

After hearing the impassioned speeches of 69 people and a 4-3 squeaker of a vote, city council approved the proposal to build a Chances community gaming centre on Olds Drive.

About 500 individuals packed Evergreen Hall, with speakers at the microphone for more than five hours.

The vast majority were in favour of the idea, underlining the positive impact of gaming revenues on local charities, and the importance of keeping the gaming revenue in the community. Only five people were opposed to the idea, on either moral or religious reasons, or because of problem gambling and addictions.

Coun. Stewart McLean said he was going to vote no at first, based on the social costs of gaming, and the unknown long-term impacts of CGCs. But the persuasive arguments of Mayor Sharon Gaetz convinced him to change his mind and vote yes.

The mayor called the opposition from some councillors on the basis of addiction "kind of hypocritical."

"I am having difficulty with some of council's rationale," the mayor admitted. "I never heard a member of council vote against a pub or a liquor licence before, or stand up and speak against cigarette smoking."

In her life as a pastor, she said alcoholism was a far more damaging force than gambling in her congregation.

Three councillors voted against the proposal in the end — Ken Huttema, Diane Janzen and Chuck Stam.

Coun. Janzen stated she actually started off in the process in favour.

"Over time I grew uneasy," she explained.

Janzen decided to vote no in part because the research shows that slots are the "most addictive" form of gambling.

"I come from the point of view that this is not a good thing for Chilliwack," said Coun. Huttema. Part of his concern was that only two people representing the charities could say how much the new facility would generate in revenue.

Coun. McLean along with Mayor Gaetz, and councillors Sue Attrill and Pat Clark voted in favour of the new CGC.

"The gaming as proposed is a legal form of entertainment, and I believe it's an acceptable form of entertainment to have in Chilliwack," offered Coun. Clark.

Chilliwack Chances CGC will feature 100 slot machines, as well as paper and electronic bingo, other lottery games and a dining and entertainment lounge.