Atlantic Lottery Corporation has been in the center of a long-winded battle against video lottery terminals widely spread across Canada and their allegedly deceptive nature. Now the gaming corporation demands that the Supreme Court of Canada scraps the class action lawsuit against VLTs in Newfoundland and Labrador, following a similar situation at the Newfoundland and Labrador Court of Appeal last year.
VLTs are considered deceiving and purposefully luring players into spending more time playing, as well as giving them misleading signals tricking them into thinking they are winning more than they really are. Plaintiffs in this court case Douglas Babstock and Fred Small claim that the devices have a lasting negative impact on people’s lives and they are in direct breach with the Criminal Code of Canada. More than 30,000 individuals previously engaged in VLT action want financial compensation for their losses.
Video Lottery Terminals Stir the Pot
The financial side of the damages reaches the gaming revenue generated by the devices since April 2006 and the overall amount of cash could be a substantial figure. Over the last fiscal year, Atlantic Lottery Corporation managed to amass more than CA$500 million from VLTs only. The very first days of December 2018 saw the corporation make a move and file an argument of dismissal against the lawsuit.
However, following extensive consideration, the Newfoundland and Labrador Court of Appeal dismissed this argument and gave green light to the class-action lawsuit to progress. Despite the public discontent expressed regularly, the corporation is willing to go above and beyond and address the issue with the Supreme Court of Canada. Atlantic Lottery Corporation wants the lawsuit to be scrapped amid the roaring turmoil.
The Supreme Court of Canada has yet to issue its official decision on whether or not it would review the class-action case. This is a pivotal point for VLT operation in general, as it could make or break its future across Canada. If the class-action lawsuit involving such a large number of individuals personally affected by the negative consequences succeeds, more would emerge in other provinces.
ALC Targets the Supreme Court of Canada
This year is a special one for many reasons, one of them being the 2019 Canadian Federal Election on October 21. Progressive Conservative Leader Ches Crosbie recently pointed out that if voters choose him, his first task as a Premier would be to place a ban on VLTs until their core nature and way of operation changes. The negative influence of these devices is widespread and thousands of people have felt it.
At the moment there are some 6,300 devices in operation in Newfoundland and Labrador and they make for a substantial part of the gaming offerings. Bars and restaurants have the permission to have several of those available on site for everyone of legal age to enjoy. Owners of the said facilities beg to differ upon hearing that VLTs are highly addictive and dangerous for players.
Once removed from the area, the gaming opportunities would be sought online or in casino venues. Players would pour their cash into someone else’s pocket, a prospect that does not entice business owners across the Atlantic provinces. The upcoming weeks would see the eventual response from the Supreme Court of Canada and more development.
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