N.S. Gaming Corporation will intervene, but not ban people with gambling addictions
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The Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation will not ban people from going to the casino or purchasing Atlantic Lottery Corporation products, even if they have an extreme gambling addiction.
Bob MacKinnon, president and chief executive officer of the Crown corporation, said a person must have certain qualifications to be able to diagnose someone with an addiction.
“We’re not skilled to diagnose somebody as a problem gambler or having problems with their gambling such that we would trigger a ban,” MacKinnon told the standing committee on public accounts Wednesday.
Instead, MacKinnon said they are required to intervene, but “it’s a delicate intervention.”
At the casino, a person who may be struggling with a gambling addiction is approached by the corporation’s staff, who have all taken a responsible gambling training program.
Depending on the situation, the person is asked if they would like to take a break, visit the on-site responsible gambling resource centre or be given resources for help. There’s also the self-exclusion program, where someone can voluntarily ban themselves from the Halifax and Sydney casinos.
“Ultimately, it’s up to the individual themselves if they want to avail to that information or of that break,” MacKinnon said, adding people are only banned for “negative behaviour impacting other people.”
Brendan Maguire, MLA for Halifax Atlantic, said the gaming corporation needs to step in earlier to help people who are struggling with responsible gambling.
“I have close personal friends that have gambling problems and they usually don’t take advantage of (resources) until they hit absolute rock bottom,” Maguire said.
With the ALC expanding into online gaming this past July, Maguire noted there are more opportunities for people to gamble.
Patrick Daigle, president and CEO of the ALC, said roughly 3,000 Nova Scotians are playing online on ALC.ca per week.
However, Daigle said there are benefits to having people shift over to the online casino.
“We absolutely know a lot about those players and that’s great because we can offer them tools about their play,” Daigle said.
Players must also submit a maximum weekly deposit limit, take mandatory breaks in play and are shown a timer of how long they are playing for. There are other optional features, such as setting a limit on daily wagers or time sessions.
And while MacKinnon said Nova Scotia is known as “one of the most responsible jurisdictions” internationally, some members of the standing committee took issue with how much money the ALC devoted to the province’s office of mental health and addictions.
Nova Scotia’s Department of Finance and Treasury Board estimated Nova Scotia’s share of the ALC’s net income would be $146 million for the fiscal year, but only $6 million is marked down for gambling support services and initiatives.
Lilani Kumaranayake, the Finance Department’s executive director of fiscal policy, economics and budgetary planning, said there’s more money allocated to mental health services than what is earmarked.
“Ultimately, it’s up to the individual themselves if they want to avail to that information or of that break."
- Bob MacKinnon, president and CEO of Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation
“There have been over $150 million in investments in mental health,” Kumaranayake said.
But Lisa Lachance, MLA for Halifax Citadel-Sable Island, said that doesn’t mean $150 million is being dedicated to help people with gambling addictions.
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but it’s probably not true that $150 million of investment in mental health in this past budget includes a cross-cutting approach to gambling,” Lachance said, noting funding on early intervention of autism “probably doesn’t have a gambling lens on it.”
MacKinnon said the financial amount contributed to mental health and addiction services are based on “gaming strategies and industry best practices.”
The ALC is working to produce a healthy play report, which would include data on the usage of its resources offered to people.
If you have concerns about your gambling, you can call the province’s mental health and addictions intake line at 1-855-922-1122. The line is staffed by professionals who provide support and referrals to programs and services. Supports are also available through the Gambling Support Network.
