Incomplete information is being cited for the postponement this week of a scheduled hearing concerning the gaming licence for a in South Surrey.

Surrey council was to discuss the issue at a land-use meeting Monday afternoon. A delay until Dec. 10 was announced Friday, meaning the earliest that a public hearing on the matter could be held is Jan. 14, the date of the next regular council meeting.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a number of things we have not received yet,鈥� Mayor Dianne Watts told Peace Arch News Monday. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important to make sure that we have all of the information.鈥�

Staff have told city council that more time is needed to review and analyze letters from residents and other members of the public, 鈥渞eceive and consider comments from the City of White Rock and the Township of 91原创... and to consider the comments that have been received from the .鈥�

As well, they need to review a socio-economic impact study by the B.C. Lottery Corporation, and a finalized traffic-impact study.

Watts said of those who have contacted her in regards to the casino, she is hearing 鈥渟ome for and some against鈥� the project. But she has yet to make up her own mind, she said.

鈥淕oing into public hearing, we have to be open to listening to all information,鈥� she said.

And while Gateway and BCLC say the complex 鈥� eyed as part of a $100-million project proposed for 18 acres of a 25-acre site at 10 Avenue and 168 Street 鈥� would produce $6 million annually for the city, Watts said those funds are not the deciding factor.

鈥淔or me, personally, it鈥檚 not a huge issue,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t is a part of the picture and it all has to be weighed out.鈥�

Watts would not comment on regarding the association of casinos with crime and social problems.

Coun. Marvin Hunt, however, was more clear about his stance. He told PAN last week by email that while he is looking forward to the public hearing, he does not support the expansion of gambling.

鈥淚 have seen firsthand the destruction that a gambling addiction can cause,鈥� Hunt writes.

Preliminary designs call for a 60,000-square-foot gaming floor, 800-seat theatre, 27,000-square-foot convention and entertainment zone, a 200-room, four-star hotel, four restaurants and three lounges.

鈥� Dan Ferguson, Tracy Holmes & Alex Browne