Gamblor's World

“Toddler being left in freezing car outside casino ‘not rare’” - BC

Administrator — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 22:33:46 +0000

Vancouver Sun, March 31, 2009

from http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Toddler+being+left+freezing+outside+casino+rare/1446492/story.html

A case where a toddler was left in his carseat in a locked car for six hours in sub-zero temperatures Sunday night while his father was inside a casino is disturbing but, sadly, not that rare, police say. Police said they responded to a call to the Silver Dollar Casino just after midnight Monday morning after a patron noticed a child crying in a car. Officers said they arrived to find the car, windows covered with blankets. with a toddler inside. The 21-month-old boy, according to police, was very lightly dressed, with no shoes or socks.

“Casino head scoffs at union’s call for debate” (ONT)

Administrator — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:36:36 +0000

Casino head scoffs at union’s call for debate
Posted By COREY LAROCQUE , Niagara Falls REVIEW STAFF WRITER, March 30 2009

A “debate” between the Canadian Auto Workers and management of Niagara’s casinos will be lopsided, after Niagara Casinos president Art Frank refused to attend the union-organized event.

continued at

“ATLANTIC LOTTO IMMUNE FROM CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS”

Administrator — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:51:45 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
CHES CROSBIE, 579-4000
Email: ccb@chescrosbie.nf.net
www.ChesCrosbie.com
ATLANTIC LOTTO IMMUNE FROM CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS
On December 12, 2008 Justice Dymond of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, Trial Division, released his decision on an application by Atlantic Lotto Corporation that the Trade Practices Act of Newfoundland and Labrador does not apply to a Crown agent (http://www.chescrosbie.com/library/Dymond_decision.pdf). The Court agreed, and decided that the Trade Practices Act does not apply to ALC as a Crown agent.
“Consumer protection laws that apply to everyone else, don’t apply to ALC”, stated Ches Crosbie, class counsel for VLT players who have banded together in a class action. “ALC has again benefited from rules that give the house an unfair advantage.”
Mr. Crosbie said the decision is not unexpected, and leaves the door open for the plaintiff to seek to include causes of action other than breach of consumer legislation. Mr. Crosbie pointed to the daughter of representative plaintiff Keith Piercey, who committed suicide, as an example of the harm caused. The Statement of Claim alleges that Susan Piercey lost her life due to the deceptions designed into VLT games, which led to addiction and suicide.
The Charter of Rights section 7 guarantees the right to life, liberty and security of the person. “VLTs are unlike any other form of gaming in their concealment of the rules of the
game, their manipulation of the player and in their potential for addiction”, said Mr. Crosbie. “For an agent of the government to expose players to breach of their Charter rights is a constitutional tort.”
Mr. Crosbie added that the law of Charter breach “is one area where ALC can’t rig the game.”
Mr. Crosbie stated that the claim will be amended to also allege breaches of the Criminal Code of Canada, the Competition Act, and the Statute of Anne, an early 16th century anti-gambling statute which is still on the books.
CHES CROSBIE BARRISTERS
169 Water Street, 4th Floor
St. John’s, NL A1C 1B1
Telephone: 579-4000 or 888-579-3262
Facsimile: 579-9671
Email: ccb@chescrosbie.nf.net
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q. What is the case against ALC on VLTs?
A. Dr. Kevin Harrigan described how VLT line games work to cheat the player in his Affidavit available in the Class Actions section of www.chescrosbie.com. His summaries are contained at paragraphs 36 and 63. At paragraph 36 he deposes:
VLT line games are displayed on the VLT screen. The first level of deception is that the VLT screen conceals how the line games actually work. Line games are controlled by the computer inside the VLT which uses a random number generator and various tables and algorithms to determine the result. What the player sees on the VLT screen is not the game itself. How the randomness is generated and the probabilities of each winning combination are concealed from the player. The second level of decision is that the games are intentionally designed so that the 3x5 matrix on the VLT screen misrepresents the game to the player. Observing these intentional misrepresentations will lead the player to create incorrect perceptions of how the games work including incorrect perceptions of the nature of the randomness and true probabilities of the game.
Q. What remedy does the class action lawsuit seek?
A. The lawsuit seeks a monetary remedy and an injunction. The aim is to force ALC to eliminate the deceptive features of the games.

“How Online Gamblers Unmasked Cheaters” - 60 Minutes/The Washington Post Joint Investigation url

Administrator — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:17:33 +0000

at http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/25/60minutes/main4633254.shtml

“Casino Gambling Industry to Seek Financial Bailout Package?”

Administrator — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:57:16 +0000

By Lee Rockwell on November 18, 2008, Online Casino Sphere

CAPITOL HILL — As the Big 3 Auto-Makers ask for a $25 billion dollar financial bailout, gaming analysts are discussing a possible bailout for the casinos. Yes, that’s right, a bailout package for the casino gambling industry in Las Vegas, Mississippi, and New Jersey.

Barney Frank, a long-time supporter of internet gambling, could be on-board if the Secretary of the Treasury, Henry Paulson, decides their is a strong need to bailout failing casinos.

Barney Frank was the primary author of the recent $700 billion bailout package signed into law by President George W. Bush back in early October. He is a staunch supporter of casino gambling, poker, and other such betting facilities.

As you know, casinos in Las Vegas, the Gulf Coast, and Atlantic City have recently reported their biggest losses ever. Many of the casinos along the Jersey Shore in Atlantic City are nearing collapse.

“If the casino gambling industry were to fail in Las Vegas or Atlantic City, the local economies in these areas would see catastrophic effects”, says Steve Horowitz, a legal expert and long-time gaming historian.

thanks for the comments!

Administrator — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:52:42 +0000

I have been neglecting this blog for the last couple of months due to a move but I will try to keep up posting articles about gambling and gambling culture.

Squamish ‘community gaming site’ proposed

Administrator — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 03:51:25 +0000

I am very sad to read this news - that the Squamish Nation is going to partner with Boardwalk Gaming to open a ‘community gaming centre’ with 150 slot machines, all sanctioned and promoted by the British Columbia Lottery Corp. It is very disappointing to read about this in The Globe and Mail as Squamish was successful in fighting such a ‘community gaming centre’ proposal by Boardwalk a few years back. It would seem that Boardwalk is very savvy, now partnering with a First Nations group and promoting a ‘community gaming centre’ under the rubric of First Nations community economic development. OY!

The Squamish First Nation in BC is one of the richest First Nations … what a public relations coup for Boardwalk. Anyone who has lived in Squamish knows that it is a community in transition, has a big drug and alcohol problem already with a shortage of available services …. and problem gambling from availability and accessibility of slots is going to be added as an additional strain on this community? Already, anyone in the Squamish area with a gambling problem has difficulty in getting help through the British Columbia Problem Gambling services - just try calling the BC Problem Gambling Help-line and saying you are in Squamish and need help. Get yourself into Vancouver, Family Services, if you want help is what you are going to hear. Hello people in Squamish, especially the Squamish Nation! Are you really thinking of the long-term hardship that having a community gaming centre with 150 slot machines is going to bring to the Squamish community or just looking at a short-term economic fix?

apologies from moderator

Administrator — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 03:56:04 +0000

my laptop died and was sans computer for a couple of weeks. i am moving cross country in the next month so will be taking a hiatus from posting current gambling/problem gambling news. To be continued …. in mid-April.

“Spain to build world’s second biggest gambling centre in a desert”

Administrator — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 17:17:36 +0000

Author:
Source: Monsters and Critics News
Published Date: Dec 13, 2007

Description:
The north-eastern Spanish region of Aragon has announced plans to build the world’s biggest casino complex after Las Vegas. The complex of 32 casinos, five theme or amusement parks and other forms of entertainment will be created in an area measuring more than 2,000 hectares in Los Monegros desert, where the regional authorities have pledged to bring water, electricity, roads and other infrastructure.

BC - “Western Canada’s newest casino opens for business”

Administrator — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 17:16:03 +0000

Author:
Source: IGamingBusiness.com
Published Date: Dec 14, 2007

Description:
The new 10,000 square foot Starlight Casino has opened featuring 850 slot machines, 45 gaming tables, a poker room and 1,000-seat, interactive sports bar. A joint project of Gateway Casinos And Entertainment Inc and the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), the venue is located near Vancouver and also features a private gaming room, a 450-seat restaurant and an intimate show lounge that is to feature live local entertainment. “BCLC’s vision is to have better gaming facilities with all the amenities that our players are looking for, from the newest in gaming machines to full-service restaurants and the finest in show lounge entertainment,” said Darryl Schiewe, Vice-President of Casino Gaming for the BCLC.