P.E.I. develops new strategy, but offers no new funding to combat problem gambling

The P.E.I. government has updated its responsible gambling strategy for the first time since a provincial strategy was first unveiled back in 2008.

In those days the biggest concerns were around the potential harm from video lottery terminals.

Finance Minister Jill Burridge said these days the biggest concern is from online gambling.

"In the last 15 years, the landscape has changed, mostly to a digital nature," Burridge said. "And so we needed to have a new strategy to kind of speak to that, and help us manage that in a responsible way."

P.E.I. had plans two years ago to launch an online casino in conjunction with the Atlantic Lottery Corporation, but then put those plans on hold.

Debate around the issue led to calls to renew the responsible gaming strategy.

While the strategy calls for the province to develop a plan to keep Islanders away from "illicit offshore [gambling] sites," Burridge said there are currently no plans for an online casino.

"We're kind of focusing on our big priorities of health, housing and affordability. But I guess what [the strategy] would give us in the future is a solid foundation to base decisions of that nature in a way that… balance[s] access with protection."

The strategy, developed by consulting firm MRSB on behalf of the P.E.I. Lotteries Commission, recommends the province develop player cards for casino games and VLTs which could be used to implement deposit and loss limits and provide feedback on play habits.

The strategy also recommends the province remove VLTs from sites that promote alcohol consumption while gambling, promote prolonged play or do not provide adequate responsible gambling support.

"There's going to be certain guidelines that [operators] are going to have to follow in order to keep those VLTs in their sites," said Burridge, noting those guidelines haven't yet been developed.

The rollout of the province's initial responsible gambling strategy included a cap on VLTs and a consolidation in terms of where they were located, moving some from privately run bars and community centres to P.E.I.'s two provincially operated casinos. 

The new strategy recommends the province's commitment to funding responsible gaming programs remain unchanged, at a minimum of 1.5 per cent of net gambling revenues.

Liberal MLA Gord McNeilly said that "does not go anywhere near enough," pointing to a recommendation from the province's Standing Committee on Health and Wellness two years ago that the province increase that figure.