NFLD - VLT tweak curbs use among gamblers
Province proceeds with strategy on problem gambling
Last Updated: Wednesday, December 6, 2006 | 10:15 AM NT
CBC News
A change to video lottery terminals in Newfoundland and Labrador has led to a small drop in the number of players.
Atlantic Lottery Corp., acting on a provincial government campaign to curb problem gambling, has removed the “stop” button on VLT machines so players can’t stop a machine from spinning.
Stop buttons are being removed from video lottery terminals in Newfoundland and Labrador.
(CBC)
Now, they must wait for each spin to run its course.
Renee Ryan, the addictions consultant for the province, says removing the button has slowed down the speed of play.
“If people are playing the machines slower, obviously they’re going to be going through somewhat less money,” Ryan told CBC News.
“It will have some impact on how long they’re gambling and the amount of money that they’re gambling.”
Atlantic Lotto says that since staff started removing stop buttons in April, the number of people using VLTs in Newfoundland and Labrador has dropped by about 1.5 per cent.
The corporation, which is owned by the four Atlantic Canadian governments, expects VLT revenues in this province to drop by about $6 million over the course of this fiscal year.
Addictions consultant Renee Ryan said removing stop buttons on VLTs should curb problem gambling.
(CBC)
In 2005, the Newfoundland and Labrador government outlined a plan to curb problem gambling. It intends to remove about 15 per cent of VLTs over a five-year period.
About 90 machines have already been removed, leaving about 2,500 VLTs in bars and lounges across the province.
Eric Lawlor, a St. John’s resident who plays VLTs occasionally, said the removal of the stop buttons has not gone over well at some bars.
“A lot of people that I’ve spoken to are actually disappointed with the change. They thought they had control of the the game by stopping it, but actually they have no control whatsover,” Lawlor said.
No change in outcomes: Atlantic Lotto
Paula Dyke of Atlantic Lotto said removing the stop button has made no difference to the outcome of a VLT spin.
“The random play generator in that machine at that point has to determine the outcome of that spin, so hitting the stop button — to stop the play before the natural end of the spin — never ever had any impact on the outcome of the game,” said Dyke, director of public affairs and corporate communications.
Lawlor doesn’t personally have a problem with the change. In fact, he would prefer a stronger response.
“Get rid of them! In my opinion, the best thing is to move them out onto George Street,” he said, referring to the popular string of bars and clubs in downtown St. John’s.
A November 2005 for the Newfoundland and Labrador government found that VLT users were at significantly greater risk of developing addictions than other gamblers.
Copyright © CBC 2006
Vlt`s have ruined my life.I am 44 and will never recover from the damage and loss they have caused me.I strongly believe they cause many others the same slow pain that i went trough.I think they should be banned ..they do more harm then good,and once they got you hooked ,your as good as a suicide bomb waiting to go off.I have seen families ,and friends gone because of it.I am now 44 and alone with very little to my name.I was always a happy go lucky guy with lots of friends.But since i started playing vlt`s my life sucks.
Bob.
Comment by BOB. SIMON — August 18, 2008 @ 6:16 pm