30-Mar-06. McGuinty extends native revenue-sharing deal. Globe and Mail, A7.

This newsbrief notes that Ontario aboriginal communities will be getting 1.6 per cent of gross revenue from all provincial gambling starting in 2011. Under the previous arrangement, the communities were only receiving gambling funding from Casino Rama near Orillia.

25-Mar-06. Program for problem gamblers receives extension. Lethbridge Herald, A3.

The Life Without Gambling program being offered by the Lethbridge John Howard Society was recently granted a one-year extension to its funding through the Alberta government’s Community Initiative Program. Gordon Leigh, executive director of the society, says the non-residential program is open to problem gamblers who intend to quit gambling and to spouses and partners who need to understand more about problem gambling. The model used for the current program was a research project undertaken at the University of Lethbridge which Leigh helped implement in local correctional institutions.

25-Mar-06. Problem gambling emotional issue, not financial: researcher. Lethbridge Herald, A3.

University of Lethbridge addictions researcher Christopher Rose reviewed the prevalence rates and typical characteristics of problem gamblers at a day-long seminar hosted by the South Country Treatment Centre on Friday. Rose noted that, while gambling can cause financial difficulties and even lead to suicide, the core issues behind the problem are generally not financial ones.

26-Mar-06. VLT revenue up in smoke. Calgary Sun, 4.

A spokesperson from Alberta Gaming says that provincial revenues from VLTs (video lottery terminals) will be lower this year due to stronger anti-smoking laws across the province. It is believed that smokers make up a significant proportion of VLT users and they will be deterred from frequenting smoke-free bars which have the machines. Provincial revenue from slot machines, however, is expected to grow to $680-million in 2006-07 compared to $565-million the previous year.

25-Mar-06. Manitoba ponders agency for native-run gambling. Globe and Mail, A8.

This newsbrief says that the Manitoba government is considering setting up a separate gambling authority for aboriginals. Gaming Minister Dave Chomiak says that the idea relates to the move toward native self-government.

24-Mar-06. No more stop buttons on VLTs. Edmonton Journal, A5.

The government of Newfoundland has ordered the removal of stop buttons on all video lottery terminals (VLTs) in the province. The Atlantic Lottery Corp. has been told to remove the device on the 2,700 VLTs which are available to patrons at many of the province’s bars and restaurants. Gambling opponents say that stop buttons contribute to problematic gambling behaviours.

24-Mar-06. Nevada OK’s wireless gambling. Calgary Herald, A15.

The Nevada Gaming Commission approved rules Thursday that will permit casinos to offer handheld wireless gambling devices to casino patrons. The devices will now be tested in various Las Vegas casinos. Once testing is complete, manufacturers of these wireless devices will be able to seek approval of their products for use in the public areas of a casino such as restaurants or pool areas.

18-Mar-06. ‘Just a small game’ – Lakusta. Edmonton Sun, 3.

Former Canadian heavyweight boxing champion Kenny Lakusta admits that he played poker several times at an illegal downtown poker house that was recently brought down by an undercover investigation. Gaming officials said stopping illegal gambling is important because they take money away from charities. Any gaming not licenced by the province is deemed illegal.

16-Mar-06. Governments’ gaming addictions are shameful. Globe and Mail, A15.

The author of this opinion-style article says that the shelving of Loto-Québec’s plan to build a casino in Point St-Charles is an exception to the continued expansion of legalized, state-endorsed gambling. Gambling is a serious health problem in Canada that is worsening because of the state’s addiction to gambling revenues. In conclusion, the author states that there is an element of hypocrisy surrounding the government use of gambling revenues coupled with the reluctance of politicians to speak publicly about the issue.

11-Mar-06. Loto-Québec drops plans to build Montreal casino. Globe and Mail, A8.

According to this newsbrief, Loto-Québec said yesterday that is dropping its controversial plan to build a $1.17-billion casino complex on the southern side of downtown Montreal. The project had encountered fierce opposition from community groups worried that the casino would drive up problem gambling and introduce other social ills.

11-Mar-06. Lottery house worth more than $1M. Calgary Herald, J8.

This article describes the house being raffled as part of the Foothills Hospital Home Lottery. The lottery has raised more than $24-million for the Calgary Hospital and is currently in its fourteenth year of operation.

8-Mar-06. Casino ruling by April 20. Red Deer Advocate, A1.

A decision on Jackpot Casino’s controversial expansion plan is expected to be made on April 20 by the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission. A closed-door meeting was held on Tuesday to hear from the casino, charities, and opponents of the project, which could see the number of slot machines to be increased to 299 from 194. The gaming commission’s board is not required to hold the public meeting but wanted to gather more information in Red Deer.

4-Mar-06. Gaming commission to address proposed casino expansion. Red Deer Advocate, A3.

On Tuesday, the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission will listen to arguments for an against the $1.5-million proposed expansion of Red Deer’s Jackpot Casino. In July, the downtown casino proposed to add 4,300-square-feet for a poker room and up to 105 additional slot machines. Neighborhood opposition from the Parkvale Community Association has delayed plans.

8-Mar-06. Great Canadian Gaming bets on rosy future with accounting. Globe and Mail, B14.

This business-related article describes the worrisome “aggressive” accounting practices employed by the publicly-traded casino operator Great Canadian Gaming. Great Canadian operates casinos in three provinces and Washington state and was first listed on the Vancouver Stock Exchange in Jettra Resources in 1997.

6-Mar-06. Poker-lovin' vets forced to fold 'em. Calgary Sun, 2

The branch of the Royal Canadian Legion in Cranbrook, B.C. has decided to fold its popular Texas Hold'em tournaments rather than face a hefty fine. The Legion recently received notification from the provincial liquor inspector informing them that their tournaments could face the ires of the British Columbia Gaming Commission. Since late September, the Legion had been hosting weekly poker games that attracted up to eighty people who paid the $10 buy-in fee.