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Quebec under fire for VLTs

QUEBEC – As reported by the Ottawa Citizen: "The Outaouais medical officer of health has joined 17 other public health officials throughout Quebec in condemning a Loto-Quebec plan to operate hundreds of video lottery terminals near harness racing tracks and at Mont Tremblant.

"Dr. Lucie Lemieux said yesterday that combining betting on horses with video lottery terminals will increase gambling addiction that can lead to indebtedness, lost jobs, broken marriages, mental health problems and suicide.

"She said public health officials suspect that the planned gaming lounges will be marketed as family entertainment because some will be built at sites visited by people of all ages.

"…Loto-Quebec plans to build three gaming lounges near harness racing tracks and one at Mont Tremblant during the next two years.

"The gaming lounges will add 1,770 video lottery terminals to the 430 that already exist at the tracks.

"…Loto-Quebec spokeswoman Marie-Claude Rivet said the government agency will study the recommendations of the province's medical officers, but added problem gambling hasn't increased…"

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