Canadian Gambling Slightly Down

New statistics on gambling from Statistics Canada reveal that a decline in gambling in the country - the first in sixteen years - has taken place. Revenues from government-run gambling fell slightly to $13.67 billion in 2008 from $13.70 billion the year before, a decline attributed to adverse economic conditions.

Commenting on the decline, Garry Smith, a gambling research specialist with the Alberta Gaming Research Institute, opined that problem (addicted) gamblers were largely responsible for insulating the industry from the worst of the recession. He estimated that as much as five percent of the adult population has a gambling problem, ranging from mild to severe, but this demographic contributes at least one-third of overall gambling revenues and even more to slot machines and video lottery terminals.

"It's not a recession-proof industry," Smith says. "(But) if you're an addict, you're still going to play and I guess that's one of the reasons it stays up there. Most industries drop significantly; gambling has levelled off and dropped a bit, but not that much."

News Flash. Exclusive Bonus - Get a 150% exclusive bonus At ClubUsa Casino. Use code CHERRY in cashier before making first deposit. Visit ClubUsa Casino.

Statistics Canada found wealthier households are more likely to gamble than their poorer counterparts, with 34 percent of those with incomes of less than Cdn$20 000 playing games of chance in 2007, compared to 58 percent of those making Cdn$80 000 or more.

The latest numbers from Statistics Canada show that the poorest households devote 1.7 percent of income to gambling, compared to just 0.4 percent in the richest households.

Leander In deal with SkyVegas - 02/07/2012 : Leander Games has agreed to create and develop an exclusive version of the games which will incorporate and reflect the Sky Vegas brand.

ON-PREMISES REMOTE GAMBLING FOR NEW JERSEY? - 02/07/2012 : The publication New Jersey.com reports that state politicians keen to boost the waning fortunes of Atlantic City land casinos are to discuss following the example of Nevada by permitting remote on-premises gambling using mobile handheld devices.

POKERSTARS DROPS MACAU MILLIONS - 02/07/2012 : The postponement of the Macau Millions reported recently has been confirmed by the Pokerstars blog, which announced this week that the project will cease next month for an indefinite period.

RECORD PRICE PAID FOR CARD PLAYER ART - 02/07/2012 : One of a series of five Cezanne impressions of card players painted in the 1890's has changed hands for a record $250 000, reports the publication Vanity Fair.

Vadzim Kursevich wins EPT Deauville main event - 02/07/2012 : After five gruelling days of top level poker and a 12 hour final table, the 24-year-old Belarusian poker ace Vadzim Kursevich has emerged as the winner of the EPT Deauville main event, claiming the top prize of Euro 875 000.