Province launches its own gambling study
Posted Jun 16, 2011 01:39:48 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It has been two years since the NDP government scrapped a socio-economic study on gambling, suggesting the research it was based on was flawed.
Thursday, MLA Dave Wilson announced the province will attempt another study, though it could still be two more years down the road.
The initial report, which did not receive the province’s stamp of approval, was only made public after news agencies and advocacy groups filed numerous freedom of information requests.
The study suggested at least six Nova Scotians commit suicide every year because of problems associated with gambling.
Wilson says that issue will be looked at again in any new research conducted.
“No question that’s the question when you do a social impact study, that’s some of the indications and some of the findings you will find,” he says. “Definitely that information will be useful in going forward with any changes to a strategy we might see in the future.”
Wilson says it all boils down to the cost-benefit of gambling.
“Definitely I think it’s important to have proper research,” he says. “That’s why in this strategy we’ve addressed it by, hopefully, having the centre of excellence researching around gaming in Nova Scotia with the Health Research Foundation.”
The government is waiting until the Gaming Commission becomes a file under the Health and Wellness department before announcing a start date for the new study.
