Province to Develop New Responsible Gaming Strategy

Finance Minister Graham Steele said today, May 11, a new five-year responsible gaming strategy will be developed for 2011-2016.

The strategy will be developed by Ron L'Esperance, a former provincial deputy minister.

"A new strategy is needed to guide the province in meeting its objectives for gaming related to both economic sustainability and social responsibility," said Mr. Steele. "We are pleased to have someone of Mr. L'Esperance's calibre to lead this important project."

The project will review some of the elements outlined in the 2005 strategy such as the business of gaming, problem gambling prevention and treatment, research, and accountability. Other areas to be addressed include internet gambling, the video lottery My-Play system, and gaming regulations.

Mr. L'Esperance will work with an advisory committee of deputy ministers from the departments of Finance, Health, Health Promotion and Protection, Labour and Workforce Development, as well as CEOs of the Office of Aboriginal Affairs and the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation.

Best practices in other jurisdictions, stakeholder meetings and written submissions will be used to develop the strategy.

The new strategy is expected to be released this fall.