This week is about to go down in history as important when it comes to the court case against video lottery terminals overseen by the Crown which have been previously condemned as misleading players gaming on them, as well as being in direct breach of the existing Criminal Code in Canada. The Newfoundland and Labrador Court of Appeal made it clear this Monday that Atlantic Lottery Corporation’s previously filed argument of dismissal is considered invalid.
The previously file din attempt to prevent the case form going ahead is now irrelevant and action will progress. One of the crucial class-action lawsuits for the gaming field in the region is expected to go on a new level, as this Monday saw it receive a green light to progress ahead. It is an essential development with the potential to resonate throughout the entire gaming field, as it could change the manner of operation of all VLT devices across Canada.
Plaintiffs Cite 300-Year-Old Gaming Act
The year 2012 saw the official launch of the lawsuit against the gaming entity which is leading in the region. Since many years have passed at this point, interest towards the outcome of this legal battle is of great interest to people in the Atlantic province, especially for the gaming enthusiasts in the region. As it has been stated in it, the gaming devices offered by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation have deeply rooted deceptive nature and have addictive characteristics.
Last year the lawsuit received a class-action status after a substantial period of waiting for approval. Douglas Babstock and Fred Small filed the lawsuit pointing out the devastating impact of VLT games on their lives and financial state. In order to solidify their position, an act from 1710 called Statute of Anne was introduced by the lawyers protecting their rights. According to the language of this Gaming Act, players who have burned through their money while gambling have the legal right to demand triple compensation for their losses.
Plaintiffs stated that the video lottery terminals should be considered illegal, as they fail to meet the standards established by the Criminal Code when it comes to slot machines. They point out that instead of operating like regular slot machines common to casino venues, the devices resemble one of the oldest card games known to humanity, commonly referred to as Three-card Monte. It is an open secret that this game is a scam into betting.
Revolutionary Lawsuit Could Stir the Pot
Individuals spending their time playing on VLT’s could confirm the devices feature algorithms which shift the gaming action as it progresses. As Mr. Babstock and Mr. Small stated, players get the sense that their chances of winning are much bigger than they actually are thanks to the misleading nature of the machines. The debate around video lottery terminal’s operation has been around for several years now, but especially after the lawsuit was initially filed.
At the moment there are some 6,300 devices of this type sprinkled throughout Canada’s Atlantic provinces. They are able to generate gaming revenue reaching CA$439 million over the span of last fiscal year. The moment is crucial and quite important for the gaming industry of Canada as a whole, as a potential success of the plaintiffs would mean that other Canadian provinces might also take matters to court.
This March saw Nova Scotia Provincial Lotteries and Casino Corporation launching a campaign of gradual removal of VLT’s, as they are considered unsustainable in the long run. Loto-Quebec dedicated 2017 to a notable reduction of VLT sprinkled across the province, slashing their number from about 12,000 devices to almost 10,000. It all points out to the low drive of players when it comes to VLTs, potentially caused by the overall reputation they have.
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