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Fraser Valley, B.C. provides a much needed glimpse into
the effects of bringing slot machines into a community. The debates in Ohio,
Guam, and other areas cite slot machines as the root of huge increases in
gambling addictions and money problems for the working class. This study
looks at the effects that the 2005 opening of slot machines at the Langley
Cascades Casino, and slot machines at Fraser Downs and Vancouver.
Researchers conducted the study to look not just at the patrons at the slot
machines and casinos, but also residents of the town to look at whether or
not gambling problems and addictions have increased—and after a look at all
of the areas around the slot machines, they concluded that there was no
statistically significant increase in gambling problems. A few areas did
show a small percentage of increase, but others decreased!
Also important in the finding is that the addition of casinos and slot
machines has influenced new residents to take up gambling. And results
around the Langley casino found that perhaps because of the casino’s
proximity to lower income neighborhoods, mental health clinics reported an
increase in clients.
The casinos are also stressing that the slot machines did not specifically
cause the gambling addictions in Fraser Valley—many were already there
before the slot machine casinos were running. And an added benefit? less
gamblers are leaving the state to play slot machines and gamble, now that
money is staying in the state rather than going to Reno and Vegas.
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