
The Prince Edward Island (PEI) Government has released an update on its responsible gaming strategy, according to a CBC News local report.
The PEI Lotteries Commission and the consulting firm MRSB worked together to develop the updated version.
This is the first change made since the original provincial strategy was published in 2008.
The update recommends that “the province develop player cards for casino games and VLTs which could be used to implement deposit and loss limits and provide feedback on play habits.”
The new strategy also recommends that VLTs be removed from sites that allow alcohol consumption while gambling, those that do not offer sufficient responsible gambling support and from those that promote prolonged play.
Fifteen years ago, the main concern surrounding responsible gaming strategies involved video lottery terminals and the potential harm they could cause.
However, Finance Minister Jill Burridge noted that “the landscape has changed” and digital play options have moved the forefront of creating a safe gaming space.
She said a new strategy was necessary to address the digital market to aid the government in responsibly managing the market. Though these recommendations are present in the update, no official guidelines or funding plans have been developed as of late.
PEI planned two years ago to collaborate with the Atlantic Lottery Corporation to launch an online casino. However, those plans were put on hold, according to the local report. Subsequent debate resulted in a call to renew the established responsible gaming strategy.
Burridge told local news that there are currently no plans for an online casino within the province.