VLT Risks Flagged in Study

A first-ever study of gambling prevalence in Newfoundland and Labrador has found VLT players are significantly more at risk for addiction than other gamblers.

"While a small part of the population regularly plays video lottery terminals, those who do are considerably more likely to become hooked, according to data from the Newfoundland and Labrador Gambling Prevalence Study, which was released Friday in St. Johns.

"Overall, about 3.3 per cent of the population are considered to be moderate-risk or problem gamblers.

"By comparison, 9.7 per cent of VLT players alone were described as moderate-risk, and 8.6 per cent were described as the more serious problem gamblers, or more than 18 per cent combined.

"Only 11 per cent of the adult population said they played VLTs, compared to 72 per cent who bought lottery tickets and 45 per cent who bought raffle or fundraising tickets.

"…The study found about 84 per cent of people in the province had engaged in gambling in the last year, which is said is in line with rates in other jurisdictions

2005-11-28