Dunn concerned about McNeil Liberals’ addiction to VLT revenues
HALIFAX, NS – Stephen McNeil’s reliance on increasing VLT revenue to fill government coffers is both morally and fiscally irresponsible, says Progressive Conservative Gaming and Control Act critic Pat Dunn.
This week’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 highlighted a $16.2 million increase in revenue from tickets and video lottery terminals (see page 51).
“The government should be creating wealth for this province by growing the economy and helping people reach their full potential,” says Dunn. “Stephen McNeil’s reliance on increasing VLT revenues to fill the government coffers is a major cause for concern.”
It’s been two years since Stephen McNeil’s government cancelled the My-Play problem gambling prevention program without a replacement program. Revenues from VLTs continue to climb. According to the Nova Scotia Provincial Lotteries and Casino Corporation’s financial statements released last month, VLT revenues spiked by $19.6 million to $132.6 million in the last year.
“This recent public accounts shows that the Liberals continue to tinker with Nova Scotia’s economy while the province continues to lose jobs,” says Dunn. “We have yet to see a long-term plan from the McNeil Liberals to get our economy back on track to pay for public expenses like healthcare, roads and education.”