PEI - “NDP promoting total ban on VLTs for PEI”
NDP promoting total ban on VLTs for PEI
Constable would pull machines out of CDPEC
WAYNE THIBODEAU, The Guardian, 10/05/07
Island New Democrat Leader Dean Constable envisions an Island without video lottery terminals.
Standing in front of historic Province House, Constable said an NDP government would ban VLTs from across the province, including at the Charlottetown Driving Park Entertainment Centre.
But Constable’s plan was short on details. He didn’t know how much a ban on VLTs would cost P.E.I. taxpayers or what impact it would have on businesses, like bar owners that rely on the revenues generated by VLTs.
“They are the most highly addictive form of gambling and they are pulling apart families and communities across the province,” Constable said.
“Simply eliminating them from the province is the best way to deal with this problem, I’ve been told on all fronts.”
Atlantic Lottery Corporation’s annual report says the P.E.I. government pocketed $19.4 million from video lottery terminals. Another $4 million in income came from the Charlottetown Driving Park Entertainment Centre, however much of that was offset by losses at the centre.
In its first year of operations, the casino-styled hall lost $2.4 million.
Constable wouldn’t go as far as to say he would close the CDPEC. But he did say he would pull the VLTs out of the building within four years, which makes up more the majority of the gambling product. He also said he would cut off further funding for the centre.
“There’s no reason the people should be subsidizing a company like the Atlantic Lottery Corporation.”
Robert Bourgeois, an ALC spokesman, said he did not want to get in the middle of the debate during a provincial election. But he did say: “This would be a policy change.”
As for the harness racing industry, which is supported by the CDPEC, Constable said he’d consider direct support for the industry.
“Right now, that money is being paid out of government coffers because the racino is losing money. I have the greatest respect and support for harness racing in the province, I’d like to see it continue, but propping it up by video lottery terminals is not the way to do it.”
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