Canada’s CGA intervenes in operator’s case

The Supreme Court has cleared the CGA to intervene on behalf of the Atlantic Lottery Corporation Inc. in its case against Babstock.

Canada.- The Atlantic Lottery Corporation Inc. (ALC) and its video lottery machine and software suppliers will soon get some support. They are mixed up in a legal fight over video-lottery terminals in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Supreme Court of Canada allowed the Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) to intervene in the case. They’ll act in support of the appellants (the ALC and its suppliers).

“This will be an important appeal for the gaming industry as a whole”, CGA President and CEO Paul Burns said. “(Also) an excellent opportunity to persuade the Supreme Court to implement a clear and balanced approach to this part of the Criminal Code.”

“I am pleased the association will be able to support our industry, as the CGA’s standing will ensure that the perspective of the Canadian gaming community is represented, and we can ask the Supreme Court to adopt a principled framework that benefits the industry as a whole.”

The case

The action combines 30,000 people in both cities that paid the Atlantic Lottery Corp to gamble on video-lottery terminals in Canada. The period covered starts from April 2006 and the outcome may change how the segment works in the country.

Douglas Babstock and Fred Small are the lead plaintiffs in the case the Supreme Court will review. They seek damages equal to the alleged unlawful gain the lottery corporation gained from VLT revenue.

However, the company assures the highly regulated electronic games are decided only by chance.