P.A. lottery ticket sales over $50M

Jun 3, 2017 | 5:00 PM

Gambling may not grab headlines as often as other addictions, but in Prince Albert, it is of concern.

“It is a problem for some people,” Cory Rennie, manager of addictions and integrated outreach services, said. “You probably don’t hear as much about it as you do about some of the drugs or alcohol. Crystal meth is in the news a lot at the moment but gambling is here.”

Though no specific numbers, Rennie mentioned there are enough people in the city with gambling problems to keep their counsellors busy.

One way residents seem to like testing their luck is through lottery tickets.

According to data from the Western Canada Lottery Corporation, over a five-year period, lottery ticket sales in P.A. equalled $50.2 million.

During that time, not a single resident won the million dollar prize. However, 239 won prices over $1,000, totalling $2.8 million.

In comparison, Moose Jaw’s sales were at $46.6 million. In that community, two $2 million prizes were won as well as 202 prizes over $1,000, valued at $4.2 million. Yorkton saw sales of $24.8 million, North Battleford, $18.7 million and Melfort, $8.4 million.

Rennie was not surprised when he heard how much more Prince Albert residents were spending on the lottery.

“They are appealing to people’s belief that with one random number draw, all my problems can be solved. They kind of play into people’s own fears,” he said.

For those looking for help with their gambling addictions, support services are in place.

According to Rennie, there is a dedicated counsellor who helps those with gambling problems in the Parkland Health Region. He said the addiction service provides both outpatient and inpatient counselling for those in need.

He said most people can go out, play a game and leave without a problem. It is those who stay all night at the slots that could be showing signs of addictions.

“When we hit that addiction stage, when it starts to overtake a person’s life and starts to impact their finances, those around them, their personal and professional life in general, that’s when you really start to notice that an issue is going on.”

 

Jeff.labine@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @labinereporter