Problem VLT Gamblers Less Than One Per Cent: Study

Health Minister Jim Smith released a study today indicating that less than one per cent of all adult Nova Scotians are currently involved in problem VLT gambling.

"This is the first study of its kind in North America," said Dr. Smith. "We wanted to learn more about the people who play VLTs to determine how we can further develop intervention and treatment programs to respond to their needs."

The 1997/98 Nova Scotia VLT Players' Study provides extensive information on the behaviours, motivations and characteristics of VLT players.

The study divided all adults into three groups to compare the characteristics and behaviours associated with video lottery gambling in the province. The three groups are non-VLT players, casual VLT players who have tried VLTs but do not play regularly, and regular VLT players. Regular players are identified as those individuals who play VLTs on an ongoing basis at least once a month.

The regular VLT players were further segmented into infrequent, frequent and problem VLT gamblers. A comparison among these three groups was done to identify specific characteristics, behaviours and risk factors associated with problem VLT gambling.

The study's findings show that 33 per cent of adults in Nova Scotia are casual VLT players while 5.7 per cent are regular players. More than 61 per cent of adults have never tried VLTs. The vast majority of regular players play the game relatively free of problems. One-quarter of regular VLT players have experienced difficulties with VLT gambling, either currently or at some time in the past.

It appears that certain groups in the province are more likely to be exposed to VLT play and, as a result, are more likely to have tried playing VLTs and have regular playing patterns. A comparison between regular VLT players and the rest of the adult population in Nova Scotia found that regular players are more often male, are between 19 and 24 years of age, are less educated and are more likely to be single and living in a multi-adult household. This group is more likely to go to bars and play games for money or fun. The majority are employed.

Regular players are also attracted to other forms of gambling to a greater extent than other adults, including buying lottery tickets and scratch-and-win tickets.

The profile of problem VLT gamblers is similar to that of regular players with a few exceptions. They are more inclined to be between 50 and 59 years of age. They are more likely to have less than a Grade 9 education and live in a two-adult household with no children. They are also more likely to be separated, divorced or widowed.

The study suggests that these groups appear to be vulnerable to problem VLT play and will likely require targeted intervention or treatment strategies. Problem VLT gamblers come from a variety of different backgrounds.

The Department of Health currently provides a broad range of problem-gambling services, programs and resources, including prevention, early intervention and treatment as well as a problem-gambling help line, information brochures and an educational video. More than 8,000 people accessed addiction treatment programs last year.

"The study's findings support our existing prevention and treatment programs for problem gamblers and their families," said Brian Wilbur, director of Drug Dependency Services, Department of Health. "It also gives us the information we need to enhance these programs. Our strategies have to be varied to address the many different factors that impact and contribute to problem VLT gambling."

The department released today the steps it will take to enhance its services currently available for problem gamblers. They include:

• working with the regional health boards' addiction services to add five additional staff to deal with problem gambling

• reviewing the VLT study to identify key treatment issues and develop additional therapeutic responses at regionally based symposiums sponsored by the department

• developing new methods of reaching out to and assisting individuals who are experiencing significant harm as a result of their VLT gambling activity

• undertaking a further study of former regular VLT users to investigate effective interventions for current regular players who wish to change their gambling behaviour

• developing, with the tourism industry association, a problem gamblers' intervention program for managers and servers in licensed establishments

• expanding resources already available to assist, educate and provide guidance for family members, friends and others concerned about a problem gambler

The Department of Health contracted Focal Research Consultants, a world leader in VLT research, to conduct the study. Focal Research is a Nova Scotian company with internationally recognized expertise in VLT and gambling-related research and methodology.

A copy of the detailed study is available at the Government Bookstore, 1700 Granville St., Halifax, 902-424-7580 or 1-800-526-6575. Highlights of the report can be obtained by calling 1-800-424-4270.