While releasing Skip Triplett's gaming grants review, Premier Clark extended a $15 million budget increase but didn't mention several other options outlined in the report.

Past gaming grant budgets have been as high as $156 million. Today's increase takes the budget from $120 million a year to $135 million a year, similar to the one-year increase Clark made last March.

The former president of Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Triplett presented "options" rather than recommendations in his report. Besides maintaining the status quo, they included:

* "Develop a clear statement describing the purpose of the Community Gaming Grant program," which he said to his knowledge has never been done. Doing so would provide clarity and reduce confusion, he said. By not doing so, the government leaves itself open to pitches from groups and sectors not currently funded;

* "Eliminate sectors and consider applications from any eligible organization where the objectives of its application align with the purpose of the Community Gaming Grant program;"

* "Remove essential service organizations such as Parent Advisory Councils, District Parent Advisory Councils and public safety organizations from the Community Gaming Grant program and fund them directly from the appropriate ministries;"

* "Develop a plan to raise the community gaming grant pool to a minimum of $156 million (adjusted for inflation from 2008) in 2014/15 or as quickly as the provincial economy enables the increase;"

* "Use 100% of government gaming revenue for community services and programs delivered by both government ministries and grant recipients, and for municipal gaming consequence mitigation."

The report, which outlines a few pros and cons for each option, says it was based on submissions from some 1,700 British Columbians. It was released this afternoon while Clark and Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Ida Chong were speaking to reporters in Port Moody and by conference call.

Groups working on the environment, animal welfare, adult sports and the arts will now be eligible for funding, Clark said.

Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee’s Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Reach him here.