Gambling Machines Can Be Fixed to Fight Problem Gambling: Report

Gambling machines can be fixed to fight problem gambling: report

By CBC News

Friday, March 16, 2007

While a Saskatchewan government report says electronic gambling machines can be modified to fight problem gambling, changing all machines would be difficult, officials say.

Video lottery terminals (VLTs) in bars have features that help limit overspending, but the electronic machines in casinos don't.

According to a 101-page government advisory report released Friday, Electronic Gaming Machines and Problem and Problem Gambling, research suggests there's a "strong relationship" between electronic gaming machines and problem gaming even if the nature of the relationship is unclear.

The report said features aimed at reducing problem gambling such as the ability to slow down play, limiting access to money and spending limits are worthwhile.

Even putting a clock on the machines to remind people how long they've been gambling can help, experts say.

Currently the Saskatchewan government insists on such features for the thousands of VLTs it owns in bars and lounges.

However, there are no plans to change the machines in casinos.

According to Jim Engel, executive director of policy and planning with the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, manufacturers are not interested in custom-building such machines.

"Their likely response is going to be, 'Well, you know what? You are the only province asking for this, so we are just not going to supply you any machines,'" he said.

In fact, Engel said, the industry is developing machines to make it easier for people to gamble by linking slot machines to bank accounts. The government says when those options come out, it won't buy them.

Beyond that, Engel said, no significant policies will be changed because of the study, which was prepared by the Problem Gambling Council for the liquor and gaming authority.

There are currently just under 4,000 VLTs in bars across the province. There are another 2,000 electronic slots — a different type of machine — in casinos.

Another 750 machines will be added, when two recently approved casinos are opened.