PEI MDs target VLTs CMAJ 1997;157:240 © 1997 Canadian Medical Association The Medical Society of Prince Edward Island wants video lottery terminals (VLTs) taken out of corner stores and their use limited to bars and other licensed establishments. Charlottetown family physician Don Taylor is leading the charge against the machines, which he says are addictive. "Video gambling is a recognized, devastating disorder," says Taylor. "As physicians we are concerned about the negative impact addictions have on our patients and their families." The society wants the provincial government to pursue research and develop addiction-treatment programs, but Taylor claims the province is satisfied to collect its estimated $8.5 million annual share of revenues from the VLTs and ignore the possibility that people are becoming addicted to the machines. "The government, machine suppliers and owners of outlets with VLTs are making more and more money, but who is really losing?" asked Taylor. The society estimates that PEI has between 2575 and 5420 problem gamblers. Islanders spent $37.5 million using 631 VLTs in 1996, an average of $276 for every man, woman and child. The Nova Scotia Health Department, which is also worried about gambling addiction, recently decided to help problem gamblers by establishing a Website (www.gov.ns.ca/heal) with information on services for problem gamblers. It links to the province's 24-hour toll-free gambling support line and provides information on counselling programs, research projects, newsletters and grants available from the province. Send a letter to the editor responding to this article Envoyez une lettre à la rédaction au sujet de cet article | CMAJ August 1, 1997 (vol 157, no 3) / JAMC le 1er août 1997 (vol 157, no 3) |