WINNIPEG (Staff) – An independent gaming commission will look at whether the number of video lottery terminals in Manitoba should be limited, or even reduced.
A government-appointed task force spent nine months looking at the costs and benefits of gambling and delivered its recommendations last month.
Finance minister Eric Stefanson was quick to accept the idea of a commission. In a press release, he said it “will be responsible for recommending policies for the overall integrity, regulation and public impacts of gaming, while the lotteries corporation will focus on marketing and ongoing operation.”
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Larry Desjardins, a former NDP cabinet minister who chaired the task force, presented a separate statement containing some strong opinions.
“I believe that VLTs are responsible for the majority of gambling problems in this province,” he said, adding the government should gradually reduce the number of machines.
“Imagine encouraging the sale of cigarettes for the sake of high revenue, and if cancer results, well, it is OK – we will provide treatment.”
Desjardins said Manitoba has 6,445 VLTs and slot machines. That’s more than Alberta, which has double the population.
The task force also recommended the government:
- Find ways to adjust VLTs to limit people from spending too much time or money.
- Let communities ban VLTs through a plebiscite.
- Ensure VLTs are screened from minors.
- Restrict “lifestyle” advertising for gambling.
- Establish better security and policing policies for money laundering and other gambling crimes.
- Give more funding to the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba for education, prevention, research and treatment.
- Consider allowing towns outside Winnipeg to build casinos.
