Posted Oct 16, 2007, 2:09 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Grand Bay-Westfield :: NB
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More gaming good for N.B., advocate says
Canadian Gaming Association president says potential problems minor compared to benefits
By Cole Hobson
Times & Transcript Staff
Published Tuesday October 16th, 2007
Appeared on page A4
With New Brunswick's new provincial gaming policy still a work in progress, the Moncton Rotary Club heard of the benefits increased gaming could have for the New Brunswick economy.
Bill Rutsey, president and CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association, spoke to the gathered Rotarians and provided details on the financial windfalls gaming brings to an economy and the public misconceptions about problem gambling in the country.
Citing direct revenues of more than $15 billion and direct employment of more than 50,000 people throughout the country, Rutsey promoted the benefits of responsible gambling to an economy. In southeastern New Brunswick alone, Rutsey mentioned 1,000 high-quality jobs that have been generated by the gaming industry.
Rutsey reported that the percentage of problem gamblers in the country is between half of one per cent and 1.5 per cent of the population. When combined with those at moderate risk, he said it is 2.5 per cent nationally.
While he didn't downplay the importance of dealing with problem gambling, Rutsey said public perception of the scope of the problem is often much greater than the actual problem. He added that Canada is a world leader when it comes to responsible gambling, spending more than $90 million annually on research and treatment of problem gambling.
"What I was trying to point out is that public perception is quite a bit different from the reality of the situation. Yes, it's a very important issue for the people who have the problem, but there are very few people who actually have the problem," he told reporters after his speech, adding that public attitudes towards gambling addiction are from 30 to 60 times higher than the actual numbers.
Rutsey also mentioned the importance of non-gaming revenues that result as spinoffs to an economy, such as entertainment and food services.
"Today gaming generates only $700 million in non-gaming revenues, that's a huge under service and untapped opportunity," he said.
Not willing to comment on the possibility of how much untapped potential there may be in New Brunswick, Rutsey simply stated that a solid gaming policy is important for the growth of gaming in the province.
"It's important and people want to get it right and they want to take their time to get it right. Gaming can also sometimes be contentious in the public forum, so when you bring something forward you want to make sure you're comfortable with it and you're confident in it," he said.
An initiative that has been in progress since last winter and has had its release delayed on more than one occasion, the latest indication from the province's finance department is that the policy will be released sometime this fall.
Vicky Deschenes, spokeswoman for the Department of Finance, says the final details of the policy are being worked out, but a more specific release date is not yet known.
"It's a very sensitive topic," Deschenes said. "The government wants to make sure when they make the decision its going to be the right decision for all New Brunswickers."
Deschenes says the new policy will focus on three aspects "" the possibility and benefits of a casino or racino, the video lottery terminal (VLT) system in New Brunswick, and the future of not-for-profit organization charity gaming.
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Plans for possible Moncton gaming facility still unknown
October 15, 2007 - 5:37 pm
By: Darrell Quann - News 91.9 Staff
MONCTON, NB - It's still not clear whether a casino or racino will be coming to Moncton.
Bill Rutsey, the president of the Canadian Gaming Association, spoke in Moncton today.
Rutsey says it's not his job to meddle with government policy, so whether a casino or racino will come to the Moncton area or even a racino to Saint John has nothing to do with him.
He did say however that in his opinion, gaming in this province would work.
"I'm sure the population is more than sufficient enough to support a whole host of different gaming activities including gaming."
The New Brunswick government is currently reviewing the policy, which Rutsey says is a promising development.
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