In Nova Scotia people are betting more money than ever before but revenues to the provincial government are falling. In Ontario the provincial government relies on gambling revenues. In British Columbia the provincial government spends $4 million yearly on its counselling service and 24-hour help line. In Alberta the provincial government has capped the number of video lottery terminals (VLTs).

It is generally recognised throughout Canada that VLTs are a problem and many research centres and institutes provide ongoing studies and figures. Some smaller communities around the country have banned them in plebiscites, and in British Columbia they are illegal. However, many of the provinces are loath to forego the revenues brought in by the machines and gambling in general. Ontario relies on the yearly $4 billion; Nova Scotia’s revenue dropped by 7.4% to $182.5 million – blamed on bigger prize payouts and increased operating expenses for VLTs and casinos; Alberta expects $800 million this fiscal year. Some have claimed that Canada’s provincial governments have gambling problems – addicted to the revenues.

Wagering on VLTs continues to increase, which greatly concerns anti-gambling activists. In Nova Scotia there was an increase of 7% to $821.5 million in 03/04, but in Alberta there was a fall of $5 million to $502 million although slot machines revenue was up by $30 million. Critics of this rise in slot machine revenue say that new technology is making the two types of machine too similar - both have high-tech interactive computer screens offering a variety of games – and that they should all be termed electronic gaming terminals and put under the same regulations.

Alberta’s 1995 capping of VLTs to 6,000 was quickly followed the next year by the introduction of slot machines that are not limited, and the numbers have doubled each year to the present 3,600. Slots are considered less addictive because they are only sited in casinos and return coins to winners who often take it and go, whereas VLTs use paper slips that have to be redeemed for cash and are found in bars and hotels.

The occurrence of problem gambling in Canada has been blamed on a lack of oversight and regulation. Provincial governments all have prevention and treatment programmes but are accused of spending too small a proportion of the revenue they get from gambling on redressing the problems. Whilst a compulsion to gamble affects around 5% of the gaming population, they contribute over one-third of gambling revenue.

Canada, as many other countries, is still looking to studies to assess gambling concerns and solutions. With gaming evolving so fast in many directions it seems that the researchers may never quite catch up and be able to provide definitive answers.

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