CBC Calgary Features Alberta Gambling [WWW & Multi-Media]

Earlier this month -- May 1, 2009 to be precise -- CBC Calgary made available an excellent feature entitled "Alberta gambling: who wins, who loses?" The various topics include:

• Timeline -- Key dates related to the development of gambling in Alberta.
  
  
• Where the money goes -- A somewhat simplified chart that provides a broad view of the amount of generated gambling revenues in Alberta... also where gambling-related funds are directed.
  
  
• Debtating VLTs -- A short a-v clip profiling the individuals involved in the proposed plebiscite on video lottery terminals in the Town of Rocky Mountain House, AB looks... some nice scenery of the town as well.

Playing the Machines [Documentary]

On Tuesday, March 24 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CBC NEWS: THE LENS, the documentary Playing the Machines will be airing. According to the web site:

Playing the Machines features the stories of three people: "Trailer Park Boys" actor and VLT addict, John Dunsworth; Susan Piercey, from Corner Brook, Newfoundland, a young woman who started gambling at 18 and took her life; and the late Garnet Rhyno of Halifax, "a devoted husband and father who loved life" until he became addicted to VLT's.

Playing the Machines is shot in Las Vegas, South Carolina, Halifax and St. John's and includes commentary from several gaming experts and two people who have been fighting against video lottery terminals. Newfoundland lawyer Ches Crosbie is leading a class action lawsuit that includes Keith Piercey's case about his daughter's suicide; and Richard Gergel who won the fight to ban VLT's in South Carolina for good.