My letter is dedicated to all the players of video lottery terminals and slot machines who did not survive their addiction. Also to the thousands who have attempted suicide or continue to struggle emotionally, mentally, physically and financially because of these highly-addictive machines.
“It is estimated that roughly 46 to 55 problem gamblers a year actually commit suicide.” This quote was taken from page 279 of a report that was commissioned and funded by the Alberta Gaming Research Institute (AGLC) and titled Gambling in Alberta: History, Current Status, and Socioeconomic Impacts. That’s close to one suicide per week in our province alone!
My name is Gisele Jubinville and because my 14-year addiction to VLTs and slot machines nearly cost me my life and marriage, I know from personal experience the dangers of this horrific addiction. For years, like many I have since talked to, I tried everything in my power to end my addiction. I read many books on addiction, continually asked God for help, went for private counselling, attended GA meetings and a government treatment program for problem gamblers. Still, I would find myself incessantly pushing the spin button on machines.
The only reason I survived my addiction and am able to write this letter today is because I discovered the true nature of gambling machines. While still severely addicted, I persistently researched over a 10-year period and found out that contrary to what everyone and everything had been telling me, the addiction to VLTs and slot machines is indeed not all the player’s fault! Educating myself about the way these machines are designed was the only thing that finally ended my consistent and overpowering urges to go play machines! I have since wondered how many people would still be alive today or how many families would still be together had the research findings been plastered on each machine as large warning labels!
Reading about what researchers from all over the world and my own government have known for years about gambling machines taught me the reasons why it was mostly impossible for me to play the way the large posters on the walls of the casinos and bars were telling me to, such as, always set a limit and stay within it and play smart or gamble responsibly. It also helped me understand why, as mentioned on page 110 of the same report, nearly 75 per cent of last year’s $1.8 billion profit made from VLT and slot machines came from ‘problem gamblers’.
My personal experience and extensive research have convinced me that thousands of suicides and attempted suicides could have been prevented and can be prevented in the future simply by getting rid of the highly dangerous VLTs and slot machines. Should they be kept in our communities, it is imperative that 75 per cent of each machine be covered with warning labels in the same way the government forces the tobacco companies to do on their packaging!
Gisele Jubinville, St. Albert
