At the beginning of June Great Canadian Gaming Corporation announced the completion of the 100% acquisition of the partnership interests of Metropolitan Entertainment Group (MEG) that operates two casinos in Nova Scotia, Canada. The company will continue to operate Casino Nova Scotia Sydney and Casino Nova Scotia Halifax under the MEG partnership but the operating contract with the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation (NSGC) has been amended.

Under the new terms of the agreement the NSGC has made responsible gambling the priority and revenues will take second place. Apart from better staff training to recognize and deal with possible problem gambling at an early stage, new technology and resource centres will encourage responsible gaming at the two casinos. Any marketing campaigns or casino events will be overseen by the NSGC under the terms of the amended contract. The contract also promises the government around US$38.7 million in revenue over the next ten years.

Previously many casinos had their own responsible gaming programmes but it was seldom a requirement of being licensed. Great Canadian Casinos has a policy of educating employees and giving them the resources needed to help themselves and others. It also provides information and assistance to guests and participates in industry-wide programmes and initiatives to increase awareness. The company is an active participant in the programme Appropriate Response Training (ART) developed by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC).

Casino Nova Scotia Halifax has over 750 slot machines and 41 gaming tables. Casino Nova Scotia Sydney has 387 slot machines and 11 table games. Both facilities have restaurants and high limit gaming areas. In addition to Nova Scotia’s two casinos, Great Canadian Gaming operates in British Columbia six casinos, a thoroughbred racecourse, two standardbred racecourses and a marina, employing more than 5,100 people. It also operates four gaming and entertainment centres in Washington State through Great American Gaming Corporation.

With the maxim ‘Know your limit, play within it’ the company encourages players to gamble responsibly and follow the advice of the BCLC: ‘Gamble for entertainment … Play to win, expect to lose.’ The amended NSGC contract with its emphasis on responsible gambling should pose no problems for Great Canadian Gaming. (E-07.05.05)

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