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6/16/2008: Status of Newfoundland and Labrador Class Action Piercey/Atlantic Lottery Corporation
In 2007 a class action suit was brought against The Atlantic Lottery Corporation. Ches Crosby Barristers:
The class action has been brought by the Piercey family on behalf of all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador who have gambled on VLTs. The Plaintiffs say that Atlantic Lotto knows or ought to know that VLTs are inherently deceptive, inherently addictive, and inherently dangerous when used as intended, but has embarked on a “responsible gaming strategy” with messages to consumers which place the onus of responsibility for control and the resulting harm from loss of control on consumers. The purpose of this message strategy is to blame consumers for problem gambling and divert attention from the fact that problem gambling is a natural result of design features of the VLT.
The Plaintiffs say that VLTs do not comply with consumer protection law, specifically the Trade Practices Act of Newfoundland and Labrador. The class action seeks relief in the nature of an aggregate monetary award and such other relief that the court considers appropriate.
Full text of the statement of claim
News coverage:
CBC - VLT suicides’ families want machines banned June 27, 2005
Administrator
April 14th, 2009 at 4:20 am
I believe government vlt’s has decieved our society. It’s pretty sad when our government doesn’t listen to the cry of thousands of people asking for these machines to be banned from our local establishments. I think that Casino’s might be a better way to turn. At least people are able to sign themselves out of casino’s. Unable to return to these establishments would certainly reduce the risk of further problems. Of course this will not resolve the situation but we are certainly unable to sign ourselves out of every bar in Newfoundland and Labrador. The government seems to value money more than family life. If our government really is for the people then its time for them to step up and show it. This so called gambling help line is crap. We need real action taken and this involves banning vlt’s in all establishments.