Extensive Study on Gambling Planned in Nova Scotia

The province of Nova Scotia has proposed a comprehensive study on gambling in the region which is due for completion by September next year.

According to the Environment and Labour Department officials, through its spokesman Bill Turpin, the study aims to concentrate on the social and economic aspects of gambling in Nova Scotia and will be the first socio-economic study on gambling in Canada.

Key areas such as video and ticket lottery terminals, online and land-based casinos, harness racing, and bingo are to be examined to find their impacts on every individual, to family households, businesses, local communities and to the government and its economy.

Turpin added that the critical examination will be made from societal perspectives, both public and private, and is meant to determine which types of gambling will have greater impacts to the province.

The study is estimated to cost $0.25 million and its committee includes members from the departments of Environment and Labour, Health and Finance, the Office of Aboriginal Affairs, the Treasury and Policy Board and from the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation.

Oppositions, on one hand, expressed their side commenting that the proposal is very much one-sided and is geared towards the agenda of the government.

"The new study is a good idea, but the lack of diversity on the committee leaves a question mark," Liberal Party member Leo Glavine said.

As commented by the group, the study would be more reliable and notable if it would include gambling addiction and problem gambling.