Citizens of the town of Winkler will have the opportunity
to vote on whether or not to keep video lottery terminals in
the community.
According to an informal survey recently conducted at Garden
Valley Collegiate, a number of students say they will not gamble
when they become 18, and they think that having the VLT's in
the community is a bad idea.
To some, VLT gambling is known as the "Devil's Television,"
because of its quick effect on five percent of the population.
Even though that percentage is low, the consequences of addiction
to VLT's can be severe.
Maclean's news magazine recently reported that there have
been six suicides in Manitoba linked to VLT addiction. Some VLT
addicts stay in their chairs for up to ten hours at a time, and
even wear adult diapers to avoid trips to the washroom.
The vote takes places in Winkler on Wednesday, October 28th.
The results will determine whether or not VLT gambling will remain
in town and will indicate how accurately the outlook of GVC students
reflects the values of the community. |