VLTs also 'do a better job of capturing the changes in the economy because they are more of an interest to the younger demographic,' she said. There are roughly 900 bars, lounges and other licensed premises with VLTs, Goodings said, while casino-based slot machines are limited to 28 locations in Alberta. Of the three forms of gaming that the province directly operates, VLTs saw the largest growth last year, with revenues up 1.9 per cent.Įlectronic bingo revenues grew by 0.4 per cent, by comparison, while revenue from slot machines in casinos shrunk by 0.6 per cent.ĪGLC spokesperson Chara Goodings said VLT revenues, in particular, tend to move up and down with the economy because they are more widely dispersed throughout the province. Hodgins says numerous surveys in multiple provinces suggest about one per cent of adults have 'significant gambling problems' and another one to two per cent have 'moderate' problems with gambling. 'Gambling addiction is associated with the perspective that gambling is a potential solution to problems, in comparison to somebody who's gambling for fun, where they see it as a source of entertainment.' 'They see it as a way of getting money as opposed to spending money,' Hodgins said.

Cannabis smoking at Grey Eagle Casino restricted to designated outdoor areaįor a small number of people with gambling addiction, however, he said it's often the opposite - the more dire their personal financial situation, the more they tend to gamble.

So it's certainly tied to the economy in that way.' 'And the more disposable income people have, the more they engage in leisure activities.

'People gamble for lots of different reasons, and for lots of people, it's very much a leisure activity,' he said.

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