By Nanse Browne

   A landmark Canadian-Australian research paper released September 9, 2006 is causing shock waves among gambling addiction treatment professionals internationally/ The paper, authored by two well-respected experts on casino operations/ gambling addictions reveals that video lottery terminals (slot machines) used routinely in North American gambling establishments are designed in such a way as to be purposely programmed to lead players into believing they are about to win a jackpot, when the odds of doing so are far smaller than they visually appear. This dishonest programming, hidden from plain view unlike more traditional forms of casino gambling like dice and cards, may also be accomplished through loopholes in existing federal oversight laws in North American gambling establishments, while governments in New Zealand and Australia have already banned all such devices. The nineteen page report, entitled “Unbalanced Reel Gaming Machines” was co-authored by Tim Falkiner, a former commercial/legal officer for the Victorian Casino Control Authority of Australia, and Roger Horbay, President of Game Planit Interactive Corporation of Canada. The report has potentially staggering implications for the U.S. gambling industry and states that have legalized slot machines to produce revenue. Ohio will vote to legalize the currently banned VLTs on November 7th. The computerized, flashy, easy to operate machines are universally acknowledged to be the most addictive form of gambling in history, hooking tens of thousands of casual players until they become “pathological” gamblers. Divorce rates, suicides, financial and violent crimes, bankruptcies and domestic abuse rates soar among this population. Costs to society are enormous, with some economic experts modeling that such individuals cost a state 2-3 dollars for every dollar taken in revenue.

   Currently, polling data indicates Issue 3, touted as “Learn and Earn”, is ahead in Ohio voter favor. However, the ballot measure has come under strong and unified condemnation from almost every major Ohio elected official and most candidates for office. Critics have pointed out that the massively funded Learn and Earn campaign is using the bait of free college tuition for Ohio students while notably downplaying that the funding source will be up to 31,500 of the highly addictive video lottery terminal devices, located at seven existing Ohio racetracks and two new Cleveland locations. Issue 3 will also write the names of three private corporations into the Ohio Constitution which will essentially be granted corporate hegemony-and hundreds of million of dollars annually in tax free income- on the ‘racinos’. Tribal interests such as the Eastern Shawnee of Oklahoma will find a major legal obstacle removed if Issue 3 passes, resulting in the potential placement Las Vegas style casinos all around Ohio.

   While Ohio voters may pass the controversial measure, other voters are taking action to remove the slots from their states or provinces. In South Dakota grassroots opponents have recognized the devastation slot machines have caused to families and have gathered 21,000 signatures to recall the uniquely addictive devices on the November 7th ballot. Washington DC’s City Council recently passed a Resolution opposing VLTs, citing “the introduction of video lottery terminals will worsen the District’s struggles with crime, poverty, and addiction.” The Council also observed that “Several serious allegations of impropriety and violation of District election laws have tainted the Video Lottery terminal Initiative…eroding the confidence of the Council and the public that the proposed initiative will appear on the ballot as the result of a fair process”.

   In Canada, VLTs have caused massive problems for local governments and law enforcement, to the point that at least three provinces, Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland have cut the number of terminals back and will not replace ones that wear out, in spite of soaring government revenues. In Nova Scotia, where casino gambling is legal, a 2005 article by the Canadian Broadcasting News cited a strategy paper issued by Nova Scotia gambling oversight authorities which stated that “the gaming machines produce 55 percent of all gambling revenue in the province, and problem gamblers account for half of that…Treatment is the only way to help those whose lives have been affected by problem gambling. Prevention is the best way to limit the number of problems we will have in the future.”