Province cuts funding to gambling support group focusing on video gaming with students

A non-profit gambling support group targeting kids playing video games has had its funding cut by the province.

The province has pulled the plug on funding for a non-profit organization that provides education and resources for gambling addiction.

At the end of February, the Edmonton-based Problem Gambling Resources Network will see its approximately $130,000 in funding end.

“It was pretty shocking,” said executive director Ray Reshke.

“Likely means that we’d have to shut down our operation unless we could find some alternative sources of funding.”

Reshke says the non-profit did 320 presentations for junior high and high school students last year.

“With students and high school students, we try to focus more on video gaming; there are gambling elements in video gaming, in that you can buy loot boxes or other tokens to advance in the game,” Reshke said.

“It’s a pretty fine line to jump from playing video games to gambling and electronic slot machines. Because of the fact that gambling is so available and accessible, and it’s expanding in terms of the online gaming sites now, it’s critical that we get the word out to to young people.”

In a statement to CTV News, Recovery Alberta says it will reallocate the funds “to focus on frontline delivery of services to directly support Albertans in their pursuit of recovery.”

David Hodgins, a professor at the University of Calgary and research co-ordinator with the Alberta Gambling Research Institute, calls the province’s decision to stop funding “very unfortunate.”

“It is an organization that serves the public for a very important issue,” Hodgins said.

“Provide individuals who have real experience with gambling and struggles with gambling to very good public education and prevention services.”

According to Hodgins, approximately one per cent of the population has a very serious gambling addiction.

He says there is a growing relationship between the number of people gambling and how it is promoted.

“At one level, gambling seems like it would be relatively benign compared to, say, fentanyl addiction or cocaine addiction or even alcohol addiction,” Hodgins said.

“The consequences are pretty similar in terms of its psychological and social and financial impacts on a person and their families.”

Recovery Alberta wouldn’t confirm whether any other gambling addiction support programs are being cut, saying, “There is an ongoing review of all Recovery Alberta programs, services and contracts to ensure they are being delivered efficiently and effectively.”

Province eyeing more private operators

Currently, PlayAlberta is the only regulated gaming platform in the province.

In a statement to CTV News, the Ministry of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction elaborated on its decision to look at allowing more private operators into the province.

“PlayAlberta, Alberta’s only regulated gaming platform, captures about 45 per cent of the province’s iGaming market,” the statement said.

“The rest is held by unregulated online gaming sites not subject to Alberta’s social responsibility policies. Alberta’s regulated gaming space and related social responsibility policies are an important part of promoting and supporting responsible gaming behaviours among Albertans who choose to gamble.

“The iGaming model that we’re considering would expand our marketplace to private operators through a regulated system that would ensure more of the money played in Alberta stays in Alberta and supports responsible gaming behaviours.”

The province plans to provide more updates on the iGaming Strategy later in the year.