Alberta Addresses Problem Gambling With Use Of Casino Smart Card

The efforts of governments around the world are endless when it comes to protecting their citizens against problem gambling. Alberta, for example, is considering making a move to casino smart cards.

The cards would be loaded with a playing amount of money from the gambler. The card would shut down the gambler from playing once the money is lost, or, when a certain amount of time has passed. The player would have control over both the amount of money they wished to put on the cards, and the time.

"We are considering that (smart cards), there are some drawbacks to it that we need to address," said Fred Lindsay, the provincial gaming minister, in an interview with CBC News, "When you use the card systems it also tends out to be a promotional tool for the casinos."

Lindsay admitted that the cards have worked positively in other areas. The number of problem gamblers in Alberta is not high, only one or two percent, according to The Alberta Gaming Research Institute, and Alberta wants to ensure it stays that way.

"It has worked in other areas, but again, it's part of the checks and balances that we want to put in place to make sure the industry operates with integrity," said Lindsay in the interview.

The casinos in Alberta already have voluntary exclusion lists, but ex-gamblers have been critical of the program. Some claim that the program only works if the gambler wants to stay out of the casino. Once they have the itch to go back, they simply change their appearance so the casino does not recognize them.

May 1, 2009
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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