26-Oct-05. Bad losers, first-timers all part of life in the kiosk. Calgary Herald, A3.

This article profiles Shirley Reichert’s job as a lottery ticket seller at Calgary’s Chinook Centre mall. Reichert describes some of the rewards and challenges that she faces in this role.

26-Oct-05. Sisters refuse to enter talks with Stoney band on casino. Calgary Herald, B6.

Construction of a $27-million casino on the Stoney reserve is on hold indefinitely while the band executive attempts to deal with a protest by three native elders. The sisters have been protesting the casino project since last June and claim that the land is both sacred and sentimental to their family. They claim that the tribal council approved the casino without proper consultation with the community and its elders.

26-Oct-05. Kids trying VLTs, says Cdn. study. Lethbridge Herald, A12.

The second phase of a study by researchers from McGill University and the University of Western Ontario has found that 12 per cent of 2,672 students surveyed in the Montreal area had tried using a VLT (video lottery terminal). Youth in the area are attracted to the machines because of a number of influences and opportunities according to Dr. Jason Gilliland.

26-Oct-05. Reading, writing and raising. Lethbridge Herald, A12.

This Associated Press article provides information about the increasing number of youth who are being attracted to gambling. Experts in the United States say that the growing obession with poker is putting teens at their highest risk ever for compulsive gambling. Survey are revealing that gambling on card games has increased noticeably among males ages 14 to 22.

26-Oct-05. Big win may not be the cure-all. Calgary Herald, A3.

This article discusses the upcoming Lotto 6/49 draw that may produce Canada's largest-ever lottery jackpot. The author also examines how winning large lottery jackpots either positively or negatively changed the lives of other winners.

25-Oct-05. CryptoLogic extends deal with major customer. Globe and Mail, B9.

Canada’s CryptoLogic Inc. says that one of its largest customers has agreed to continue licencing the company’s online poker software. Betfair.com will continue its exclusive agreement with CryptoLogic until at least June, 2006. CryptoLogic’s business strategy is to serve only the very largest of the more than 1,000 online wagering sites.

25-Oct-05. Long-shot lotto odds shocking. Calgary Sun, 2.

University of Calgary mathematics and statistics professor Dr. Ernest Enns reports that the odds of choosing the correct numbers for tomorrow’s $40-million Lotto 6/49 grand prize are 1-in-13,983,816. A person would need to purchase 43 tickets to have the same chance of winning the big prize as being killed in a car accident in the next year.

24-Oct-05. Casino seeking injunction today. Calgary Herald, B2.

This newsbrief notes that ABS Casinos has asked the Alberta Labour Relations Board for an injunction that would halt striking workers from handing out union pamphlets to would-be gamblers. Casino Calgary has been embroiled in a month-long labour dispute with the CUPE Alberta union.

24-Oct-05. Casino expansion debate falling through cracks .Red Deer Advocate, A4.

This opinion article discusses the debate surrounding the planned expansion of downtown Red Deer’s Jackpot Casino and its impact on the residents of the Parkvale community. It is stated that both municipal and provincial officials have shirked their jurisdictional responsibilities to represent the interests of citizens by failing to make any recommendations. The author suggests changing provincial gaming policy so that there is no doubt as to what would happen if a municipal council votes to decline a gaming application.

22-Oct-05.Tobacco fight called gamble. Calgary Sun, 35.

Nova Scotia government politicians warn that legislation stating cigarette manufacturers had a responsibility to warn the public over the danger of their products could be used to buttress the case of anti-gambling advocates. Those opposed to video lottery terminals (VLTs) claim the government has been lax in its warnings about gambling.

21-Oct-05. Smokers welcome. Edmonton Sun, 27.

The construction of the new River Cree Resort and Casino on the Enoch reserve near the corner of Whitemud Drive and Winterburn Road could draw gamblers away from casinos in Edmonton where smoking is forbidden. Unlike the City of Edmonton, Enoch has no smoking ban and smoking will be permitted in approximately 30-35 per cent of the new casino that is set to open in the fall of 2006.

21-Oct-05. No palm trees for Enoch casino resort. Edmonton Journal, E3.

A ceremony was held yesterday to celebrate the completion of cement work on the hotel that is being constructed as part of the River Cree Resort and Casino. The interior design of the resort will provide space for display of historic native artifacts and incorporate colours that are symbolic to the Enoch First Nation. The development is a partnership between the Enoch Cree First Nation is and Paragon Gaming.

20-Oct-05. Band likes odds on $150 million resort, casino. Edmonton Journal, G1.

This article reports that ceremony was scheduled to be held at the River Cree Resort and Casino to celebrate progress on the nine-story hotel. Enoch Cree First Nation Chief Ron Morin says that the development will employ upwards of 1,000 people and create the equivalent of 725 full-time jobs. The casino and resort is a partnership between Paragon Gaming of Las Vegas and Enoch Community Development Corporation – a subsidiary of Enoch Cree Nation. Paragon will operate the casino that will have 600 slot machines, 40 table games plus a 12-table poker room and high-limit gaming area. Morin says that casinos on other North American reserves have reduced problem gambling among members of the host First Nation. The Enoch band will, however, increase its spending on educational programs to warn about the dangers of problem gambling and other addictions.

20-Oct-05. Luxury resort taking shape. Edmonton Sun, 61.

The River Cree Resort and Casino offered a glimpse of progress on the project today at an event celebrating the completion of cement-work on the development’s hotel. The project is expected to generate $120-million a year in revenue and will include a 62,600-square-foot casino with 600 slot machines that is expected to open in Fall 2006. Members of the Enoch Cree First Nation believe that it will create significant employment and economic benefit for their community.

20-Oct-05. Employment potential excites Westbury. Edmonton Journal, G3.

In this item, Bob Westbury says that he accepted the chairmanship of the board that runs the Enoch Cree Resort and Casino because it offers significant potential for economic development. He concedes that casino gambling could endanger some Enoch residents but that this risk is outweighed by employment opportunities. Enoch Chief Ron Morin says that the resort and casino will create more than 1,000 full-time and part-time positions.

18-Oct-05. Coucillors shy away from casino dispute. Red Deer Advocate, B1.

Several Red Deer city councillors are standing behind a decision made two years ago that council not take a position on casinos. Parkvale Community Association does not agree with the stance taken by council and is attempting to stop the proposed $1.5-million expansion of the Jackpot Casino. They feel that it will create noise, traffic, litter and parking problems in their historic community.

17-Oct-05. City, Tsuu T’ina both need ring road. Calgary Herald, B2.

This article discusses the City of Calgary’s requirements for a ring-road that would require use of land comprising the northeast corner of the Tsuu T’ina reserve. It appears that the Tsuu T’ina are in favour of this proposal even though Calgary City Hall has concerns that they may back away from reaching a deal. It is suggested that the ring-road will provide necessary access to a planned casino and other development initiatives.

14-Oct-05. Lottery fever picks up as 6/49 jackpot rises. Calgary Herald, A13.

Convenience stores in Calgary are seeing more people purchasing lottery tickets in anticipation of larger than usual jackpots for both Super 7 and Lotto 6/49. Rebecca Sullivan, professor of communications and culture at the University of Calgary says that most people participate in the lottery in order to experience the excitement or “frenzy” of the event. She also describes it as the ultimate form of unfulfilled consumption.

13-Oct-05. Hooked on online games. Calgary Herald, N2.

This article describes a Calgary man’s preoccupation with an online role-playing game called World of Warcraft. Garry Smith, a gambling research specialist at the Alberta Gaming Research Institute says that these online games are making their way into more homes in Calgary but that gambling sites are still more popular. He doesn’t believe that the growth in online virtual worlds has gotten to the problem stage yet but it can cause difficulties for some people if they start to neglect other important aspects of their life.

8-Oct-05. Mayor bets on gambling as Big Easy saviour. Calgary Herald, A24.

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin has proposed Las Vegas-style gambling in the city's large hotels as a way to revitalize the New Orleans economy in the wake of hurricane Katrina. The plan, which would need the approval of the Lousiana legislature, calls for a large-scale gambling district along Canal Street. The single downtown New Orleans casino has been closed since shortly before Katrina hit.

8-Oct-05. Band chief charged after standoff over video gaming. Calgary Herald, A13.

A standoff between the RCMP and the Adams Lake, B.C. Indian Band over illegal gambling machines ended with the seizure of the machines and the band's chief being charged. Officers with the RCMP's illegal gaming enforcement team confiscated 31 machines from various businesses after executing 10 search warrants in Kamloops, Chase, Merritt, and Golden. Band Chief Ronnie Jules issued a press release Friday that decried the RCMP actions as an illegal trespass and intrusion on band business.

6-Oct-05. Tsuu T’ina and Calgary clash over band’s casino approval. Edmonton Journal, B4.

The Tsuu T’ina First Nation will soon begin construction on its new $30-million casino but appears headed toward a clash with the City of Calgary over access to the site. A decision by the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission to move the band’s application to the final stage of the licencing process means the facility should be completed within two years. The City of Calgary would like to see a deal in place for the long-awaited southwest ring road through Tsuu T’ina land before construction begins.

6-Oct-05. Ring road deal isn’t imminent. Calgary Herald, B1.

The Tsuu T’ina First Nation was granted approval Tuesday by the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission to proceed with work on its proposed 70,000-square-foot casino at Glenmore Trail and 37th Street S.W. The City of Calgary does not want to see construction begin on the project until a deal is reached between the province and the band to build a connector road that is seen as a key component of the Calgary transportation system. The Province stressed that there is no connection between the casino licencing process and talks on the road.

5-Oct-05. Casino approval sets stage for clash. Calgary Herald, A1.

Construction will soon begin on the planned $30-million First Nation casino to be built on Tsuu T’ina land at 37th Street and Glenmore Trail. Tuesday’s decision by the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission to move the band’s application to the final stage of the licencing process means the facility should be completed within two years. The decision sets up what could become a fight with the City of Calgary, which wants a deal for a ring-road through Tsuu T’ina land before construction proceeds.

5-Oct-05. Ring-road bargaining chip. Calgary Sun, 3.

City of Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier is hoping that the recent approval of the Tsuu T’ina First Nation’s casino at 37th St. and Glenmore Trail will come with a long-awaited ring-road deal. He warns that if it does not, there will be no viable access to the casino from Calgary’s streets. The Tsuu T’ina reserve is located on the fringe’s of Calgary’s southeast.

1-Oct-05. Smell of money. Calgary Sun, 14.

This editorial discusses the decision by Supreme Court of Canada that makes it possible for provinces to sue Big Tobacco for the costs of treating smoking-related illnesses. The editorialist believes that it is both bad public policy and hypocritical for provinces to sue the tobacco companies when they are themselves deeply involved in the promotion of the alcohol and gambling industries.

1-Oct-05. Council must take stand on casino. Red Deer Advocate, B1.

In this editorial, the author discusses the controversy over the planned $1.5-million expansion of the Jackpot Casino in the City of Red Deer. It is opined that Red Deer City Council have abdicated their responsibility to represent their constituents by not taking a stand on casino development in the city. The author also points out that charities, which depend immensely on casino revenue, are forced to defend casinos just like they have with bingos. In conclusion, the editorialist states that the province cannot possibly be objective when it comes to the casino expansion approval process because they also generate huge revenues from the facilities.