On February 28th, 2009, the debut of the controversial electronic keno game has Nova Scotia throwing the fiscal dice and some critics say that the stakes are too costly. The electronic keno game of the Atlantic Lottery Corporation will make its debut into 180 liquor licensed facilities this week, including seven facilities in West Hants, giving players another golden opportunity to hedge their wagers. Although the game is touted as the first "responsible" game by the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation, other say that the game is just an option for the province to earn some profit during the financial crisis.
Leo Glavine, MLA for Kings West and a gaming critic said that the provincial government is counting on electronic keno game to fill its treasury at the expense of Nova Scotia residents. Glavine also criticizes how the Department of Health Promotion and Protection could approve such decision with the knowledge that gaming is highly addictive. 100% of the ALC profits returns to Nova Scotia, which last year amounted to an additional $135 million for provincial service and electronic keno could improve that amount by $2 million.
The communications director for the NSG, Krista Grant, stated that the profits are a way of providing for the community. She added that the NSG manages a safe and regulated gaming environment with the best interest of all residents in mind. The ticket-based electronic keno game works like Lotto 649 and will be featured in licensed eating and drinking establishments. But instead waiting for days to see the results, keno players will be able to see the results every 10 minutes.
[24-03]
John M. Thorpe
