Coquitlam took in more than $7 million last year as host to the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver.
The payout includes the final quarterly instalment, which was received by the host city last week, of $1.8 million.
Last year's total is up from 2014 when Coquitlam reaped $6.3 million in Hard Rock's first full year as a rebranded property.
The gambling venue opened in 2002 as Boulevard Casino and, at the time, was making the municipality about $10 million a year.
But because of the downturn in the economy in 2007-'08 — as well as the mega-construction on the Port Mann bridge and Highway 1 — the city and casino's incomes took a nose dive.
Most of the gaming revenue received by the city pays for capital projects, which in the past have included the new Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex, the new Burke Mountain fire hall and the new City Centre library.
Another 12.5% is spent on non-profit groups via the city's Spirit of Coquitlam grants. Last December, council awarded nearly $236,000 for 25 projects.
Local organizations can apply in March for the next intake. Visit coquitlam.ca/spiritgrant.
