Government's Gambling Addiction

The government is less than honest when it talks about how it deals with "problem gambling". Two requests for qualifications for clinical counseling services and prevention services for problem gambling posted to the BC Bid website with a deadline of May 16th look like attempts to treat contractors as employees. The stipulations to qualify look like bad management of employees rather than outcome oriented measures for contract performance.

Both requests for qualifications make reference to the government's website on problem gaming at http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/gaming/in-bc/problem.htm. That site claims to have been last updated on February 19, 2003, but it contains assertions that are simply not true. The following questionable claims are made with the suggestion that the measures are part of BC's program to combat problem gambling.

Claim: "BC prohibits minors under the age of 19 from participating in commercial gaming activities"

Reality: When was the last time you saw a clerk ask for ID when a teenager purchased a scratch and lose, or a 649 ticket?

Claim: "BC restricts gaming machines to specific gaming facilities where adults make a conscious decision to gamble, and where trained staff monitor players and gaming activities."

Reality: It is true that BC does not allow VLTs in convenience stores, but it does allow the sale of lottery tickets in those stores - issued by a machine, but not a "gaming machine".

Claim: "BC does not accept cheques or allow automated teller machines inside casinos."

Reality: Anyone who has been in a BC casino has seen the automated teller machines immediately outside the door. What difference does a distance of three feet make? Gamblers regularly drop hundreds of dollars, and immediately head to the ATM.

Claim: "BC does not allow video lottery terminals (VLTs) in the province."

Reality: In the past few weeks VLTs have been installed side by side with traditional slot machines in BC casinos. Any claim to the contrary is either wrong, or is using weasel words to define a VLT.

Claim: "BC does not allow gaming establishments to extend credit to patrons."

Reality: That is technically true, but the ATMs immediately outside the casino door accept credit cards. Gamblers can still go into debt and quickly return to the tables or machines.

Claim: "BC determines the number of casinos operating in the province, and establishes betting limits and the number of slot machines available in casinos."

Reality: BC may determine the numbers, but the way it does so is to engage in marketing to increase the numbers! The budget calls for gambling revenue to increase from $606 million in 2001-02 to $900 million in 2005-06. That 50% increase is more than three times the rate of growth projected for total government revenue over the same period!

Gambling can be as legitimate a form of entertainment as golf, but it can have serious consequences for some people. The Campbell government campaigned on the basis of stopping gambling expansion, but it is now actively involved in doing what it can to increase its revenues from gambling. During the January 16, 2002, staged cabinet meeting held in Fort St. John, Solicitor General Rich Coleman denied that there is any relation between availability of gambling and the number of problem gamblers. The government website is misleading in its presentation of government's efforts to deal with problem gambling - one might say that it is biased, not "gaming neutral" as is required for bidders in the two requests for qualifications.