Report PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
few years increasing its share of the win from 35 per cent to 80 per cent.
In 1993 the government restricted the hours that VLTs were available to be played and permitted them from between the hours of 11am and midnight. They could not be played on Christmas Day, Good Friday or on Sundays.
In 1996 a cap was introduced on the number of VLTs available in the province limiting it to 615. Liquor licensed establishments could not have more than five VLTs per site and non liquor establishments could not have more than two. By 1998 the government had removed all VLTs located in non liquor establishments.
Since this time the number of machines in operation has ranged from 350 to 430 and the win level was around $20m. Between 1992 and 1997 there were generally 225 to 250 VLT locations per year in the province which dropped to around 75-100 once VLTs were removed from non liquor establishments.
Back in 2006 there were 379 VLTs located in 81 locations plus another 225 VLTs at the newly opened Charlottetown Driving Park and Entertainment Centre.
Then in 2008 the ALC was asked to reform the video lottery program as part of the Government of Prince Edward Island’s Responsible Gaming Strategy.
The aim was to reduce the number of VLTs in the province over the next two years. Some called for a complete ban, however, those against felt this would drive gambling underground and instead the industry merely had to addressed responsible gaming. So the idea was to:
• Reduce the number of VLTs sites by 50 per cent.
• Reduce the number of VLT terminals by 20 per cent - this would make it the lowest number of VLTs per capita in Atlantic Canada
• Commissions would be reduced for site holders with more than five VLTs. The commission at the time was 20 per cent. A new class of sites would be established for those with more than five and the commission would be reduced to 15 per cent.
• Business and performance standards will be developed and introduced to all retailers. This would include an open and transparent process for selection of sites to carry out the reduction in the number of sites.
April 2013 PAGE 40
“The new terminals will offer many of
the same games, allowing for a
seamless transition in our VL
programme. The technology may allow for the
introduction of new games, however the replacement
initiative is driven by the fact we have obsolete
technology that can’t be serviced.
The new terminals will continue to offer proven responsible
gambling features such as length of play reminders, forced cash outs
and a $60 deposit limit.”
LINDSAY SHANNON, ALC.
• The 11 Royal Canadian Legion branches which had VLTs would not be impacted.
• All changes were expected to be fully implemented with 18 months.
Today, there are 40 establishments with a total of 270 VLTs in operation. The ALC will revamp its VLT machines also in this province with the roll out of new products expected by the end of 2012 and beginning of 2013 and will be provided by IGT, SPIELO International, Bally and Techlink (see update in Newfoundland report). SPIELO International will also provide the next generation INTELLIGEN Central System as part of the upgrade process undertaken by ALC.
Lindsay Shannon of ALC said: “The new terminals will offer many of the same games, allowing for a seamless transition in our VL programme. The technology may allow for the introduction of new games, however the replacement initiative is driven by the fact we have obsolete technology that can’t be serviced. The new terminals will continue to offer proven responsible gambling features such as length of play reminders, forced
cash outs and a $60 deposit limit. “We work with each of our shareholders
to develop the gaming strategy that best reflects the interest of its residents. Currently on the island all our VLTs feature a maximum bet amount of $2,50 and a maximum award amount of $500 and feature a prize payout percentage of between 93-95 per cent. There is also a maximum terminal amount in effect of five VLTs per site.”
Net video lottery receipts on Prince Edward Island were $17.3m in 2011/12.
RACINO In 2004 the government approached ALC to develop a racing entertainment centre at the Charlottetown Driving Park and the Summerside Raceway. The idea was to revamp the harness racing industry. Net slot receipts at the Red Shore locations were $11.9m.
Charlottetown Driving Park is a harness racing track which opened in 1889 and became one of the premiere tracks in eastern Canada. In 2003 a hurricane caused a lot of damage to the grandstand and it is believed this spurred the CDP’s
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