canada

Ontario problems

That could mean that you’re driving up to Vegas from LA and ran out of gas before you got too far. But in this case, it’s about a group of thousands of admitted problem gamblers who’ve filed a class action lawsuit against the government corporation that owns Ontario (Canada) casinos. From the CBC: A $3.5-billion […]

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news about gambling

Responsible gaming monitors redux

I’ve got a more in-depth look at the Canadian responsible gaming monitors in the LVBP. Here’s a snippet: Recently, the British Columbia government announced plans to hire nine “responsible gambling information officers.” These new deputies of safe gaming will spend their working hours hanging out in casinos throughout the Canadian province, looking for “distressed gamblers”

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news about gambling

New bidder for Trop?

With much, but not all of the site work done, I’m taking a bold leap back into the gaming news blogosphere today. I haven’t heard much about this possible bidder for the Columbia Sussex casino empire, but that might just be because I’ve spent more time poring over css style sheets than reading the news.

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life in vegas, news about gambling

News alert: Canada radio

I’m going to be on several Canadian radio stations–CBC affiliates I think–this afternoon, talking about a recent casino cheating case. These are the times (Pacific) and cities, with the names of the hosts, too. 12.50 HALIFAX Carmen Klassen – Host 1.00 CALGARY Jeff Collins – Host 1.10 TORONTO Matt Galloway – Host 1.20 THUNDER BAY

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what's new

Sublibellous advertising

There are lots of things the media can get away with, but some things it can’t. You can’t impugn a strip steak if you’ve eaten a steak sandwich, for one. And you can’t claim that subliminal messages in slot machines affect player behavior. At least that what Konami hopes. Here’s the press release: An item

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gambling & culture

Sgt. Fritter’s Lonely Jackpot Banned?

Earlier this week, the CBC broke a disturbing story: three Konami video slots are briefly flashing winning combinations as players spin the virtual reels. Programming bug or subliminal ploy? You be the judge. From CBC: Ontario’s provincial gambling operator has pulled 87 video slot machines out of service or physically removed them from its casinos

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news about gambling

Canadian gaming illegal?

Today, nearly every nation or state grants some sort of gambling franchise, usually in the name of revenue enhancement, i.e., cash. With the police cracking down on illegal rivals, these gambling monopolies are usually pretty lucrative for everyone involved. In Canada, though, the authors of a new report believe that Ontario’s state-sanctioned gaming industry may

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news about gambling

VLT easter eggs

Everyone likes easter eggs, hidden features in video games, DVDs, etc. Usually they are not that impressive–you can unlock hidden commentary or an alternate costume in fighting games. But an article in Canada’s National Post says that video lottery terminals also have easter eggs that can be exploited: As the middle-aged mother from Illinois plunked

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news about gambling