Alcohol and Gaming Authority 2002 Annual Report Tabled

ENVIRONMENT/LABOUR--Alcohol and Gaming Authority 2002 Annual Report Tabled

The Alcohol and Gaming Authority has made several improvements over the last year to reduce red tape and help charitable lotteries enhance their revenues, according to its latest annual report. David Morse, the minister responsible for the authority, tabled the report in the legislature today, Nov. 20.

The authority, which enforces Nova Scotia's alcohol and gaming regulations, states in its annual report for 2001-02 that it has made several improvements that allow business owners to save time and have more flexibility when renewing licences and registrations.

In particular, it revised its regulations to increase maximum licence terms to three years from 12 months. The new multi-year licences are available for establishments that serve liquor, ticket lotteries, bingo operators and suppliers and casino gaming assistants.

Other improvements were also made over the last fiscal year to improve client service. Low-revenue charitable bingo operators are now exempt from certain licence and reporting requirements, allowing the charity bingos to retain more of their profits from bingo games. A new online licence application and renewal system was launched that makes the application and renewal process for certain licences and permits faster and easier. An automated debit- and credit-card payment system provides more payment options for clients purchasing licences. Policies on security clearance requirements for food and beverage servers at the two casinos have also been changed.

The authority also reports that for the first time in more than 20 years, it has raised some fees to reflect the actual costs of administering and regulating certain licences.

The authority administers Part II of the Gaming Control Act, parts of the Liquor Control Act and the Theatres and Amusement Act. The acts grant the authority regulatory control over liquor sales, lottery and bingo hall licences. It is also responsible under the Casino Regulations for overseeing the honesty and integrity of the province's two casinos. The authority also administers the Maritime Film Classification system.

More information about the Alcohol and Gaming Authority can be found on its Web site, at www.gov.ns.ca/aga .