17-Nov-05. Alberta vices soar. Edmonton Sun, 5.

According to the provincial government’s second quarter fiscal update, government revenue from gambling is estimated to total $1.24-billion this year, up $34-million from the budget estimate. The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission attributes the gaming revenue rise to VLTs and slot machines. It also expects that revenues will continue to rise after Alberta’s 17th casino opens in Calgary next week. University of Alberta psychologist Dr. Gus Thompson says that gambling and drinking are two social problems that always seem to take off when the economy is booming.