Public health: no to gaming centre downtown
A report from the city’s public health department says no to a gaming centre near the Bell Centre – essentially an electronic casino, dreamed up by Loto‑Quebec, which is miming being shocked at meeting such opposition.
It’s not made clear here whether public health has the power to stop the plan.
Uatu 10:32 on 2023-09-18 Permalink
Enough of the gambling already. Every televised sports event is inundated with ads for online gambling and bookies etc. It’s sickening
Nicholas 11:05 on 2023-09-18 Permalink
I figured I was going to hate this, but it does say it will on net remove 500 (LP) or 600 (CTV) VLTs, apparently 20% of the number on the island. Better would be to not create this new location and also to remove those VLTs (and more), but having all these under one roof, where at least theoretically people can be watched for problem gambling and help can be offered, seems better than having them near people’s homes at your local bar. Neighbourhood VLTs can be really bad, as my favourite piece on the subject shows. But it’s a tricky balance: lots of people love to gamble, and so you want to make it difficult, but not so difficult that they turn to organized crime. Sort of like alcohol.
Bob 13:27 on 2023-09-18 Permalink
@Nicholas – Ha! And it’s better to have people gather in huge government bars to drink because the government will then – theoretically – keep an eye on alcoholism.
Ian 21:44 on 2023-09-18 Permalink
I’m definitely willing to pay the premium to go to more upscale bars with no VLTs. I used to prefer old man dive bars but all the VLTs and getting rid of smoking on a terrasse ruined that vibe.
Not that I smoke anymore or play VLTs, but the end of genuine dive bars is a real loss, Montreal used to be rich in them.
DeWolf 16:56 on 2023-09-19 Permalink
@Ian Italian bars are a nice middle ground. Social Club, Bruno, Conca d’Oro…
carswell 17:12 on 2023-09-19 Permalink
La Presse has just reported that Loto-Québec is nixing the project. Good.
https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/grand-montreal/2023-09-19/voisin-du-centre-bell/loto-quebec-retire-son-projet-de-salon-de-jeux-au-centre-ville.php
carswell 17:14 on 2023-09-19 Permalink
(Meant to write “axing” but sometimes my fingers have a mind of their own.)
tom 05:42 on 2024-05-26 Permalink
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