Others : Lack of Interest for Healthcare in Canada

In Quebec, Canada, there has been a decision stating that the number of video-lottery terminals should be maintained. The critics of Quebec, observed that the Liberals, who oppose the Loto-Quebec are more interested in the revenue that comes from gambling than health and social concerns.

“This is not a good thing, but there is no surprise to this, because governments have become addicted to gambling revenues.” declared Claude Bilodeau, founder of 2 gambling treatment centers, and a reformed gambling addict himself.

Around 90% from the pathological gamblers in Quebec treatment programs were using electronic gambling devices VLTs or casino slot machines, said Serge Chevalier, a sociologist and addiction specialist with the Institut national de sante public due Quebec. There are many disappointed, among public health workers, because a chance to fight this problem has been wasted.

Chevalier said: “Health issues, should be added to the forefront of the decision-making process, and the announcement is not an example of what we want.”

Not long ago, Loto-Quebec reorganized its main policy on VLTs after the government’s approval. This includes operating a network of 14,300 machines and reduce, from 26 per cent to 21 per cent, the commission to the bar owners who manage the machines. This was done because bar owners could make commissions that could make them live off the money for an entire year.

And also regarding this topic, former PQ finance minister Pauline Marois wanted Loto-Quebec to preserve revenues but reduce the gambling problem. However, back in 2002, the former head of Loto-Quebec, Gaetan Frigon, also wanted to make a turnaround for the betting agency, turnaround that included cutting back on VLTs, by diminishing the number of sites that were providing them. With all this, Frigon’s arrangement did not manage to be adopted by the government of Quebec.

A representative for the Quebec Health Department, Cathy Rouleau, declared that the government set up an inter-departmental group assigned to promote a real debate on gambling. A harsh critic of Loto-Quebec, sitting in opposition, Russ Williams, referred reporters to Rouleau.

The famous gambling critic, Sol Boxenbaum, a good colleague of Williams, said he shared his concerns about gambling addictions with Jean Charest during the election campaign. “He clearly stated, that he was aware of the problem, and alleged that he was going to put it on his list of priorities if he were to be elected. But since he was elected, he hasn’t even considered it.” Boxenbaum added.