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Troubling economy leads to dip in gambling activity: N.S. report – Metro US

Troubling economy leads to dip in gambling activity: N.S. report

A report released today says gambling activity in Nova Scotia decreased over the past fiscal year and with it gaming profits — a reflection of the economy’s impact on discretionary spending.

Figures in the province’s annual gaming report show a drop in total wagers in 2009-2010 to roughly $1.43 billion from $1.47 billion.

Gaming earned the province $145.9 million last year, a drop of four per cent.

The report says video lottery terminals, which make up almost half of all betting, were off by 2.8 per cent representing a loss of $20 million.

Wagering at the province’s two casinos was also down $2 million to $463.7 million.

Lottery ticket sales also slipped as Nova Scotians wagered $199.6 million, down $4 million from the previous year.

The Nova Scotia Gaming Corp. says it spent more than $7.8 million in responsible gambling, treatment and education over the same period.