Only two Canadian provinces prohibit gaming on video lottery terminals (VLTs) - British Colombia and Ontario - but both permit electronic gaming devices at racetracks. Eight provinces have had VLTs since the early or mid 1990s and the recently published study commissioned by the Canadian Gaming Association reports that VLT gaming in Canada is well-regulated and operated with a high degree of public accountability.

According to the report’s author Robert Scarpelli of HLT Advisory Inc, VLT gaming “offers fair games in safe, age and access-controlled environments and raises significant revenues for key government programs and initiatives. The research also confirms that VLT gaming programs in Canada have been built upon sound principles of economic development, combating illegal activities, and the generation of non-tax government income." Since it was introduced the VLT programme has returned almost CAD20 billion (US$17 billion) to provincial governments.

Canada spends more on problem gambling programmes than any other jurisdiction in the world. Annually problem gambling treatment, research and prevention initiatives receive approximately CAD62 million (US$53 million), with an additional CAD13 million (US$11 million) spent on responsible gambling promotion. Annual revenue from the overall Canadian gaming industry is over CAD14 billion (US$12 billion) and VLTs account for nearly 22% of this total. Over the last 10 years the market shares for lotteries, pari-mutuel and bingo have all declined markedly, and casinos and electronic gaming now account for 67% of gaming revenue.

Canadian VLTs all feature permanent on-screen clock; amount wagered; pop-up reminders of time played; and mandatory cashout. A problem gambling helpline number is also displayed prominently. There are also restricted access to and view of the machines; staff training programmes for problem gambling recognition; responsible gambling posters, brochures and messages at all sites; as well as restrictions on VLT advertising. All the provinces have introduced a cap to the number of permitted VLT machines and some have reduced the number of locations where such gaming is allowed.

Across the country VLT machines return between 90% and 95% in prize money and there are wagering limits programmed into the terminals. No credit is permitted to players. Each province has networked its VLTs to electronically connect them to a central control hub, thereby allowing constant monitoring to ensure none is opened or tampered with and the constant recording of cash-in and payouts. All the machines’ hardware and software are independently tested before installation.

The Canadian Gaming Association was founded to create a better understanding of the gaming entertainment industry and the issues that affect the thousands of businesses across the country that depend on it for their livelihood. It also provides the media, elected officials, other decision makers and the public with timely, accurate gaming industry data. The 10th Annual Canadian Gaming Summit and Exhibition is to be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre from Tuesday 25 April to Thursday 27 April 2006. (E-03.20.06)

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